Obadiah Part 2: Showing up when it matters most! (Obadiah 10-14) 10 “Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever. 11 When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them. Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies. 12 “You should not have gloated when they exiled your relatives to distant lands. You should not have rejoiced when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune. You should not have spoken arrogantly in that terrible time of trouble. 13 You should not have plundered the land of Israel when they were suffering such calamity. You should not have gloated over their destruction when they were suffering such calamity. You should not have seized their wealth when they were suffering such calamity. 14 You should not have stood at the crossroads, killing those who tried to escape. You should not have captured the survivors and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble. Big Idea #1: Our faith and life are dependent on God’s mercy. (2 Corinthians 3:12-4:1) 12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit— makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 4:1 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. Big Idea #2: In our faith and life we are to be agents of God’s mercy and not God’s judgment. (Micah 6:8) No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (1 Peter 3:9) Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. (James 2:13) 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. 1. Edom did not show up for Israel, but God shows up for us. (Psalm 34:17) The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
(Isaiah 41:10) Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Deuteronomy 31:8) It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. 2. Edom rejoiced in Israel’s pain, but God grieves our pain with us. (Isaiah 63:9) In all their distress he too was distressed… 3. Edom took what was not theirs from Israel, but God gives what He has to us.