The book of Obadiah has given us great insight into what happens when a people group are against someone that God advocates. Edom has watched the destruction of Jacob and have stood proudly on the sidelines as spectators and cheerleaders for those who came against them. They pillaged and gawked at the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and at a time when they could have come to Jacob's aid, they impeded their escape and turned them over to their conquerors. There was only one huge problem-God was watching, and now their judgment has come. But what happens to Jacob or Israel in light of God's judgment upon Edom? How does Israel fair in the matter? Obadiah answers that question in verse seventeen of his wonderful prophecy. He wrote:
But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
God has allowed the destruction and captivity of His people Israel, and now that they have endured affliction, His promise is restoration. Obadiah first declares their “deliverance.” “Upon mount Zion shall be deliverance.” The first act of God for His people was to liberate them from their captors. No power or might shall be able to keep God's mighty hand from extrications should He decide to move.
Secondly, Obadiah declares “there shall be holiness.” Where unholiness and idolatry were the initial causes of Jacob being conquered in the first place, they would now be a holy people, God's holy people. Reverence for God would be restored, and the place that once served other gods would have no other God than God Almighty Himself.
Finally, Obadiah declares “the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” In other words the belongings they lost would be restored unto them. Captors would no longer have their treasures, but Jacob would be the owners of them once again. God loves to deliver His children, and He loves when holiness is their mantra. God enjoys restoring things that have been taken away by those who are enemies to His kids.
What about us today? Are there places that we too need deliverance? Has the enemy of our soul taken from us? Perhaps it was material possessions or perhaps it was in the area of relationships or addictions? Do we need the Almighty God to intervene?
What about our own “holiness?” Are there areas in which we have compromised and maybe paid a heavy price of destruction in one or two areas of our lives? Do we need “holiness” restored?
What about in the area of possessions? Have we lost possessions to others who quite possibly gloated over our calamity, and now we need extrication and restoration from our current plight? It is quite possible that the illustration and declaration that Obadiah has given about Israel today is the one we need as well, and if it is, let us bow our heads in humility and surrender our lives to the one who oversees it all – God Almighty - and may the restoration begin.
Next time we shall take a look at more of what God pronounces for Jacob's future even though they are troubled currently, 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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