When the Bible mentions “the day of the LORD”, we do well to pay close attention. This refers to the timing when God Himself begins to act, and this time Edom will pay the price for their actions. Since God is very patient with people, sometimes they believe Him to be aloof, non-caring or even worse, approving of their behavior. However, God does all things within His time, and the time has come for the judgment of Edom.
Obadiah wrote, “is near upon all the heathen:” The reference is to all who have and are attacking God's people Jacob at this time. There will be none cleared, and those who attack Israel and act against them should take heed to these foreboding warnings. God has His attention upon Jacob's attackers and woe be to those those who sit idly on the sidelines while Jacob is attacked and who help those who would come against Israel in a forceful way.
Obadiah completed his thought with, “as you have done it shall be done unto you: your reward shall return upon your own head.” The prophet Hosea wrote of this idea in chapter eight and in verse seven of his prophecy: “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it has no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if it does yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.” In other words, the actions that have been taken will be those that are employed against them. Edom is in trouble. As they have sown against Jacob, they will reap what they have sown. Their “reward” will be exactly as they have done unto Jacob.
Paul the apostle was very clear about this law of reciprocity. He wrote in the book of Galatians in chapter six and verses seven and eight, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Edom's judgment fulfilled this principle. When we put an orange seed into the ground, we expect to receive and orange tree. When we plant a lemon seed, we expect a lemon tree. If we plant corn, we expect corn, and so on. But the same is true in spiritual matters as well. If we plant seeds that are against our enemies or against God or His people, our harvest will be one accordingly. It's God's law, and He will not be mocked.
Edom becomes a great lesson for all of us. First, we must be very careful how we talk about or act against God's chosen people Israel. Secondly, we must be careful to sow good seed into our own lives and others. The harvest of the future depends upon the seed we plant today. May we ever keep in mind the type of seed we are sowing, so that when our harvest comes in, it will be one that is pleasing and not one that contains corruption.
Next time we will take a look at more illustrations of the judgment against Edom, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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