"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Obadiah - The Judgment Of Edom (1:1-21) INTRODUCTION 1. The first of the "The Minor Prophets" we shall consider is Obadiah, whose book is the shortest of all books in the Old Testament 2. His name means "Servant of Yahweh (Jehovah)", and was quite common... a. Thirteen different people are called by this name in the Old Testament b. One Jewish tradition identifies him as the one who was Ahab's steward 1) Who hid 100 prophets from Jezebel, Ahab's wife - 1Ki 18:3-4 2) Who feared the Lord from his youth - 1Ki 18:12 c. He may have also been... 1) The Obadiah sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the law in Judah - 2Ch 17:7 2) The Obadiah who was one of the overseers in repairing the temple under Josiah - 2Ch 34:12 -- Whoever this Obadiah was, his message contains valuable lessons for us today [Before looking at the book itself, let's consider some...] I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. THE DATE... 1. Two dates are often proposed: 845 B.C. and 586 B.C. 2. The prophet refers to an attack on Jerusalem; commentators offer these two possibilities: a. The days of Jehoram (848-844 B.C.), when Philistines and Arabians attacked the city - 2Ch 21:8-10,16-17 b. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (586 B.C.) 3. The internal evidence appears to support the early date of 845 B.C. (Keil, Hailey) a. The language of Obadiah is much different from Jeremiah b. There is no mention of the destruction of the temple, the deportation to Babylon, the remnant who went to Egypt -- I accept the early date, that it was around 845 B.C. B. THE MESSAGE... 1. The fall of Edom a. Because of its pride b. And its cruelty against Israel, their cousins 2. The exaltation of Zion a. When Seir, the Edomite counterpart of Zion, will be cast down b. The rescued of Israel will be in Zion, for in it the redeemed shall be found -- For this reason I have subtitled this lesson as "The Judgment Of Edom" C. THE HISTORY OF EDOM... 1. The people of Edom descended from Esau, Jacob's twin brother 2. There was sibling rivalry between Edom and Israel, found first in Esau and Jacob a. The twins struggled in their mother's womb - Gen 25:22-26 b. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob - Gen 25:27-34 c. Jacob stole Esau's blessing as the firstborn - Gen 27 3. While Jacob and Esau eventually reconciled (Gen 32-33), their descendants were often at odds with one another a. In the Exodus, Edom refused Israel passage through their land - Num 20:14-21 b. Edom was finally subjected by David - 2Sa 8:13-14 c. During the reign of Jehoram, Edom revolted - 2Ki 8:20-22 4. Located south of the Dead Sea, they built their cities in the cliffs and thought themselves impregnable 5. After the prophecy of Obadiah... a. The Edomites were overcome by the Nabataeans, forced to settle south of Judah b. Around 100 B.C., they were conquered by John Hyrcanus of the Maccabees 1) Who forced many of them to be circumcised and accept the Law 2) As such, many became nominal Jewish proselytes (Herod the Great was one) c. By 100 A.D., Edom as a race and nation had become lost to history [With this background, let's now read through the prophecy of Obadiah, with the aid of the following...] II. OUTLINE OF THE BOOK A. THE COMING JUDGMENT ON EDOM (1-9) 1. The decree has gone forth to the nations (1) 2. Deceived by pride in her location, Edom will be brought down (2-4) 3. Destruction will be complete (5-6) 4. Edom will be betrayed by allies (7) 5. Not even wisdom and might can save them (8-9) B. THE REASON FOR JUDGMENT ON EDOM (10-16) 1. For violence and unbrotherly conduct toward Jacob (10-11) 2. A rebuke against such conduct (12-14) 3. Therefore the "Day of the Lord" for them will mean receiving the same sort of treatment! (15-16) C. THE EXALTATION OF ISRAEL OVER EDOM (17-21) 1. Deliverance and holiness will be found on Mt. Zion, not Mt. Seir (the prominent mountain in Edom)! (17a) 2. The house of Jacob shall consume the house of Esau (17b-18) 3. The children of Israel will possess Edom and surrounding nations (19-20) 4. The ultimate rule will be that of the Lord's (21) [With this brief perusal of Obadiah's "vision" concerning Edom (1), here are some thoughts regarding...] III. THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY A. ITS IMMEDIATE FULFILLMENT... 1. Edom's destruction began with the Babylonian invasion under Nebuchadnezzar (ca. 600 B.C.) 2. It continued into the fourth century B.C. with the invasion of the Arabs known as the Nabataeans, forcing them to a region south of Judah 3. In the second century B.C., the Maccabees brought them under subjection when Judas Maccabeus slew twenty thousand of them 4. John Hyrcanus (134-104 B.C.) forced the remnant to accept circumcision and the Law B. ITS ULTIMATE FULFILLMENT... 1. May likely have been with the coming of the Messiah (Jesus Christ)! 2. For with His coming, and the establishment of the spiritual kingdom beginning in Jerusalem... a. Deliverance and holiness did come from Mt. Zion (i.e. Jerusalem)! - Lk 24:47 b. The kingdom (rule) is the Lord's! - cf. Lk 1:31-34; Mt 28: 18; 1Pe 3:22; Re 1:5 c. The house of Jacob (i.e., the true spiritual Israel) did possess Edom as the Gentiles among them became Christians! - cf. Ro 11:13-18 (where faithful Gentiles are spoken as being grafted into the stock of Israel) 3. As support for this interpretation, consider: a. The prophecy of Balaam - Num 24:15-19 1) Which foretells how "A Star shall come out of Jacob, A Scepter shall rise out of Israel" (the Messiah?) 2) And how Edom will be come a possession b. The prophecy of Amos - Am 9:11-12 c. The application by James at the council in Jerusalem - Ac 15:13-17 1) Who understood the conversion of the Gentiles to be a fulfillment of Amos 2) Therefore the fulfillment is figurative, not literal, as Gentiles become Christians [Finally, a few thoughts about some...] IV. LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF OBADIAH A. "PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION..." - Pr 16:18 1. Pride leads to vanity and a sense of independence from God 2. Just as Edom took pride in their geographical location, allies, wisdom and might 3. Such arrogance God will punish - cf. Isa 13:9-11 -- Are we on guard against such pride? B. DO NOT MISTREAT YOUR BRETHREN... 1. This was Edom's guilt also (10) 2. How we treat our brethren affects our relationship with the Lord - cf. 1Co 8:12 -- Are we careful about our dealings with our brethren? C. "DO NOT REJOICE WHEN YOUR ENEMY FALLS..." - Pr 24:17-18 1. This Edom did when Judah was plundered (12) 2. This sort of gloating is displeasing to God! -- Do we rejoice when our enemy falls? D. IN TIME OF DIVINE JUDGMENT, GOD PROVIDES A MEANS AND PLACE OF ESCAPE FOR THOSE WHO TURN TO HIM... 1. Note again verse 17, where Mount Zion would become a place of deliverance 2. Today, spiritual Mount Zion is a place to which we can turn - cf. He 12:22-24 3. It is a place where we can find: a. "the city of the living God" b. "the heavenly Jerusalem" c. "an innumerable company of angels" d. "the firstborn registered in heaven" e. "God the Judge of all" f. "the spirits of just men made perfect" g. "Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant" h. "the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel" -- Of course, this is what we come to as we obey the gospel of Christ! CONCLUSION 1. With this brief look at "The Book Of Obadiah", we have seen that... a. The prophets were not limited in their prophecies to just the nation of Israel b. God held the heathen nations accountable for their actions c. While it was written primarily to comfort the Israelites in Obadiah's day, there are lessons to be gleaned for us as well d. The message of hope may have had its ultimate fulfillment in what we can enjoy ourselves today, in the person and work of Jesus! 2. In verse 15, we find the expression "the day of the Lord"... a. An expression often used by the prophets referring to God's judgment upon the nations b. The particular "day of the Lord" of which Obadiah wrote was "near", and was fulfilled with the destruction of Edom c. But there is another "day of the Lord" yet to come...! 1) Of which God's judgments upon the nations were only a shadow, a type 2) Peter writes of that day, in which the whole world will be judged - 2Pe 3:7-13 Are we ready for that "day of the Lord"? Or do we in our arrogance take pride in our wisdom, might, or position in life? If so, "the pride of your heart has deceived you" (3). How much better to humbly recognize that... "...on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness;" (Ob 1:17) Have you come to Mount Zion, and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant?
1/22/13
Obadiah: The Judgment Of Edom, Mark Copeland
1/21/13
Pride and the Power of GOD
Today, Barak Hussein Obama will be sworn in for his second term of office as president of the The United States of America. Our country continues its polarization under his reign, as I have already heard rumors of him seeking a third term; one that will be for life. At the other end of the spectrum, there seems to be a movement towards impeachment. I have no idea which "side" will prevail, but such things are NOT GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY!!! I pray that our president will wield his power according to the dictates of our constitution, with great humility, for his office has a very great responsibility. I sense an increase in his pride and a certain amount of arrogance. I hope and pray that I am wrong!!! Pride can do terrible things; here is one such example...
Daniel, Chapter 4
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me its interpretation. 8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and I told the dream before him, saying, 9 Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation. 10 Thus were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth; and its height was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached to the sky, and its sight to the end of all the earth. 12 The leaves of it were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all: the animals of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from the sky. 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the animals get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches. 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth: 16 let his heart be changed from man’s, and let an animal’s heart be given to him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men. 18 This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you. 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered, My lord, the dream be to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries. 20 The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and its sight to all the earth; 21 whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation: 22 it is you, O king, that are grown and become strong; for your greatness is grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth. 23 Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king: 25 that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. 26 Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility. 28 All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you. 32 You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.” 33 This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stay his hand, or ask him, What are you doing? 36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.
Babylon was a very great kingdom and Nebuchadnezzar a magnificent monarch. But, his pride almost was his undoing. God humbled him that he might learn who was really in control. I urge all who read this post to pray for all our leaders, that they might acknowledge the truth that God is ultimately in control. Pray also, that all in government will come to know the true, divine ruler of this Earth and understand that his son's throne began in a manger (above) and has been exalted in heaven above every power imaginable. Best wishes to Barak H. Obama on his second term of office!
Abundance, By Gary Womack
ABUNDANCE
We
are surrounded with abundance but are mostly blind to it. There is a
significant reason for that, which is not necessarily directly our
own fault, but primarily due to the fact that we are finite beings
and are therefore limited accordingly in our perspective. That is
not to say that God has made us blind to the abundance of our
surroundings, but that we do not relate well to the resources of the
eternal Creator of all things. Therefore, it is necessary for Him to
help us to open
our eyes
to the great abundance of His creation by capturing our attention
through His inspired word.
Abundance,
according to Webster, is "Great plenty; more than sufficient
quantity. Wealth." Such a simple definition fails to
comprehend such a broad subject. Abundance is best defined by that
which it embodies. Take for example the universe and listen to its
declaration of abundance. "The heavens declare the glory of
God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters
speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech
nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out
through all the earth and their words to the end of the world."
(Psm. 19:1-4) By their very existence they declare what abundance
is by
pointing to their Creator. Our concept of such a One, whose power
and abundance could conceive and create with such magnitude, is
limited by our finite nature. Therefore, He directs our attention to
the abundance of His handiwork in order that we expand the limits of
our thinking to comprehend His greatness. "'To whom then will
you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?' says the Holy One. Lift
up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who
brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the
greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is
missing." (Isa. 40:25-26)
When
Abraham could not comprehend God's unlimited ability to give him and
Sarah the child He had promised, God "...brought him outside and
said, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to
number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.'"
(Gen. 15:5) It was not until Abraham was pointed to the abundance of
God's creation that he could comprehend such ability and therefore
believe
in the Lord. The result was God's accounting of such faith as
righteousness. The accounting of such blessings ultimately rested
upon the observation of abundance in order to comprehend the
greatness of its Creator.
Later,
we see Abraham's mature faith demonstrated in his willingness to
carry out the sacrifice of that same child of promise. (Gen. 22)
When he was stopped short of executing his son, God stated His
pleasure in Abraham's faith and reiterated His promise; "...in
blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your
descendants
as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore;
and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In
your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you
have obeyed My voice." (Gen. 22:17-18) We are all blessed as a
result of Abraham's faith and his willingness to see God's abundance
in order to drive
that faith to its obedient fruition.
We
might question our own faith when we compare it to that of Abraham's
and consider the magnitude of such a sacrifice. How can we
demonstrate that kind of faith in our own lives? The answer to that
question is: Our faith must be established in the same way that
Abraham's was. It must be established on the foundation of God's
unlimited greatness to accomplish His will. The way that we must do
that is to look at the abundance around us and draw on that
realization. God's word forever points our attention to the
abundance of His power, His mercy and His grace. Read it. Meditate
upon it. If we fail to look at God's abundance, we limit the outcome
of our small faith. How many great works have gone unaccomplished
because we failed to consider the abundance of God's ability to work
in us?
Remember,
He "...is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according
to the power that works in us"
(Eph. 3:20) That being the case, it is incumbent upon us to be
reminded of the abundance of His ability and be motivated by His
power to accomplish that which we otherwise would consider
impossible. Thankfully, we are not called upon to make the kind
of sacrifice that Abraham was called upon to make. However, we have
been given a great work to accomplish which demands great faith.
That work is the spreading of the gospel to a world lost in sin. As
we view ourselves as only a handful of people in the midst of
millions of lost souls, that work seems overwhelming and an
impossible task. If our focus is on our limited numbers, or on a
lack of financial resources, or on the limitations of the facility
where we meet, or on any number of other obstacles that we can find,
then the accomplishment of our mission will be limited accordingly.
What we must constantly be mindful of is that God is not
limited. Listen to Paul's admonition; "And God is able
to make all
grace abound
toward you, that you, always
having all sufficiency in all things, have
an abundance
for every
good work." (2 Cor. 9:8) The grace
that he speaks of is the supply of that which we lack. It is that
part which we must depend on Him
to
supply. It is not our responsibility to try to figure out how
He is going to supply it. If we busy ourselves in that futile task,
then we are not focusing on His abundance, but rather, we are
focusing on the limitations of our own thinking.
When
the Israelites stood on the threshold of the promised land, and heard
news of a land flowing with milk and honey, their attention was drawn
away from the abundance of that which God was ready to give to them,
and their faith was shaken as their attention was drawn only to the
giant people and the fortified, walled cities that they viewed as
insurmountable obstacles.
(Num.
13) Let us not repeat their fatal mistake. If God has given us a
work to do, be assured that He can do it through us if we will
believe. As God said to Jeremiah, "Behold, I am the Lord, the
God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jer.
32:27)
-
Gary V. Womack - January 2004
Centre In Which God? by Jim McGuiggan
Centre In Which God?
I've been told that the vaguest
word in the English language is the word "God". I don't know how they
know such things but that's what some literary people I know tell us and
I'm inclined to believe it.
There's a silly but popular view that makes the rounds that really is
silly despite its popularity. It's the view that all religions are
essentially the same. On the surface that looks like a deep remark but
when you go deep it's really a very surface remark because there are
many and profound differences between major religions. Their views of
"the meaning" of life, death, existence, destiny, mission and, above
all, God are widely different.
In a Western society where it seems the supreme virtue is religious
tolerance some people tell us, "All these names are different names for
the one God and we're all going in the same direction." You only have to
allow these major faiths to tell their own story to know that's just
not true. I often think that the people who tell us "it's all the same
thing" are those who just can't be bothered with all the arguments and
would like it to go away. Not being especially interested themselves
they find it a bit tedious that others go on and on about it.
I know it is especially offensive in a pluralist society where
everyone has a right to his or her own religious views for someone to
stand up and say, "This is the one true God!" but that's just how the
New Testament comes across. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, "For even
if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth...yet for us
there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom
we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all
things came and through whom we live."
Can you imagine walking into a Greco-Roman province and saying that,
in the face of all the idol temples and in the face of signs everywhere
that said Caesar was Lord? He had his nerve that Paul, didn't he? But
the truth is Paul had met the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ one day when
he was on his way to kill off the followers of Jesus Christ (Acts
22:1-21) and now he was proclaiming what he was told to say.
And it was a strange Story right enough. He claimed that the one true
God had shown himself in and as the crucified Jesus of Nazareth and
that he had come to set the world right even as he had promised. And in
the person of Jesus of Nazareth he underwent the world's great wrongs,
suffered at the hands of sin and death and rose again to glorious
immortality. He experienced all that in the individual called Jesus but,
and this many feel to be even harder to believe, he did it in the name
of humanity for our sake. What we see and hear to have happened in
Christ is to be the destiny of all who belong to God through him. This
is the one true God in whom we should centre our lives and thoughts--a
God with a cross as his badge of honour and triumph who did it for his
wayward humanity.
Bible Reading, Jan. 21
Jan.
21
Genesis
21
Gen
21:1 Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as
he had spoken.
Gen
21:2 Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the
set time of which God had spoken to him.
Gen
21:3 Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to
him, Isaac.
Gen
21:4 Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old,
as God had commanded him.
Gen
21:5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born
to him.
Gen
21:6 Sarah said, "God has made me laugh. EBveryone who hears
will laugh with me."
Gen
21:7 She said, "Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah
would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age."
Gen
21:8 The child grew, and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on
the day that Isaac was weaned.
Gen
21:9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to
Abraham, mocking.
Gen
21:10 Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out this handmaid
and her son! For the son of this handmaid will not be heir with my
son, Isaac."
Gen
21:11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight on account of
his son.
Gen
21:12 God said to Abraham, "Don't let it be grievous in your
sight because of the boy, and because of your handmaid. In all that
Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For from Isaac will your seed
be called.
Gen
21:13 I will also make a nation of the son of the handmaid, because
he is your seed."
Gen
21:14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a
bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder;
and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered
in the wilderness of Beersheba.
Gen
21:15 The water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child
under one of the shrubs.
Gen
21:16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a
bow shot away. For she said, "Don't let me see the death of the
child." She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and
wept.
Gen
21:17 God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to
Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar?
Don't be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
Gen
21:18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him in your hand. For I will
make him a great nation."
Gen
21:19 God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went,
filled the bottle with water, and gave the boy drink.
Gen
21:20 God was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness,
and became, as he grew up, an archer.
Gen
21:21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother took a wife
for him out of the land of Egypt.
Gen
21:22 It happened at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the
captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you
in all that you do.
Gen
21:23 Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal
falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son. But
according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to
me, and to the land in which you have lived as a foreigner."
Gen
21:24 Abraham said, "I will swear."
Gen
21:25 Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which
Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
Gen
21:26 Abimelech said, "I don't know who has done this thing.
Neither did you tell me, neither did I hear of it, until today."
Gen
21:27 Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech.
Those two made a covenant.
Gen
21:28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
Gen
21:29 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What do these seven ewe lambs
which you have set by themselves mean?"
Gen
21:30 He said, "You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my
hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well."
Gen
21:31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both
swore there.
Gen
21:32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Abimelech rose up with
Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into the land of
the Philistines.
Gen
21:33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and called there
on the name of Yahweh, the Everlasting God.
Gen
21:34 Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines
many days.
Jan. 21, 22
Matthew 11
Mat 11:1 It happened
that when Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he
departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Mat 11:2 Now when John
heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
Mat 11:3 and said to
him, "Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?"
Mat 11:4 Jesus answered
them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
Mat 11:5 the blind
receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to
them.
Mat 11:6 Blessed is he
who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."
Mat 11:7 As these went
their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John,
"What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken
by the wind?
Mat 11:8 But what did
you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear
soft clothing are in king's houses.
Mat 11:9 But why did
you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a
prophet.
Mat 11:10 For this is
he, of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your
face, who will prepare your way before you.'
Mat 11:11 Most
certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not
arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in
the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
Mat 11:12 From the days
of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers
violence, and the violent take it by force.
Mat 11:13 For all the
prophets and the law prophesied until John.
Mat 11:14 If you are
willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
Mat 11:15 He who has
ears to hear, let him hear.
Mat 11:16 "But to
what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in
the marketplaces, who call to their companions
Mat 11:17 and say, 'We
played the flute for you, and you didn't dance. We mourned for you,
and you didn't lament.'
Mat 11:18 For John came
neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
Mat 11:19 The Son of
Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man
and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom
is justified by her children."
Mat 11:20 Then he began
to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been
done, because they didn't repent.
Mat 11:21 "Woe to
you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had
been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Mat 11:22 But I tell
you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of
judgment than for you.
Mat 11:23 You,
Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For
if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it
would have remained until this day.
Mat 11:24 But I tell
you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day
of judgment, than for you."
Mat 11:25 At that time,
Jesus answered, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and
revealed them to infants.
Mat 11:26 Yes, Father,
for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
Mat 11:27 All things
have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except
the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and
he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
Mat 11:28 "Come to
me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you
rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke
upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and
you will find rest for your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light."
The Minor Prophets: Introduction, Mark Copeland
"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Introduction To The Minor Prophets INTRODUCTION 1. While Christians are not under the Old Testament as a system of justification, the OT is of great value for us today... a. Written for our learning, it is a source of comfort and hope - Ro 15:4 b. Written for our admonition, we learn what mistakes to avoid - 1Co 10:11 c. As with all scripture inspired of God, it is profitable "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" - cf. 2Ti 3:14-17 2. This is especially true with regard to "The Minor Prophets"... a. A collection of twelve books that make up the last part of the Old Testament b. Beginning with Hosea, and ending with Malachi 3. Those willing to study these books will find their lives enriched as they increase... a. Their knowledge of God's holiness, righteousness, justice and mercy b. Their understanding of God's dealings in the nations of men c. Their appreciation of the Bible as a literary masterpiece [With this lesson, we begin a series of studies in which we will survey "The Minor Prophets". Before we examine our first book, some introductory material may prove helpful...] I. WHO WERE THE PROPHETS? A. THE OLD COVENANT HAD DIFFERENT KINDS OF INSTRUCTORS... 1. There was Moses, the lawgiver - Neh 8:1,14; 9:13-14; Jn 1:17; 7:19 2. There were the priests, administrators of the law - Lev 10: 8-11; Hos 4:6; Eze 22:26; Mal 2:7 3. There were the wise men, who gave counsel - 2Sa 14:1-24; 20:16-22 4. There were the psalmists, poets who were the "sweet singers" of Israel - cf. 2Sa 23:1; 1Ch 6:33 5. There were the prophets, communicators of the Word of God B. A "PROPHET" WAS A SPOKESMAN FOR ANOTHER... 1. Like Aaron was for his brother Moses - Exo 4:16; 7:1 2. The word literally means "to boil up like a fountain" 3. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, a prophet... a. Was a spokesman for God - 2Pe 1:21 b. Was given something to say, and had to say it! - Jer 20:7-9 4. A prophet was primarily a "forth-teller", though sometimes a "fore-teller" a. God's word often pertained to future events b. The fulfilled prophecies of these prophets are therefore a strong proof of inspiration -- But much of their word concerned not the future, but current events C. OTHER DESIGNATIONS HELP TO DEFINE THE ROLE OF A PROPHET... 1. Early in Israel's history they were called "seers" - 1Sa 9:9 2. Another appellation was "man of God" - 1Sa 9:6; 1Ki 17:18 3. Also known as a "servant of God" - 1Ki 18:36; 1Ch 6:49 4. They served as God's "messenger" - Isa 42:19 5. They were also assigned the role of "watchman" - Eze 3:17; 33:7 [The prophets were therefore servants of God, divinely appointed and inspired to proclaim His Word. At times, they were messengers of God's word as it applied to the present, serving as watchmen of the people of God; other times, God's message pertained to the future, and as such they were "seers" of things to come.] II. HOW ARE THE PROPHETS CLASSIFIED? A. IT IS COMMON TO SPEAK OF "ORAL" AND "LITERARY" PROPHETS... 1. The "oral" prophets are those who left no writings bearing their names a. Such as Elijah and Elisha - cf. 1Ki 17; 2Ki 2 b. Many others, including Nathan (2Sa 12), Gad (2 Sam 24:11), Ahijah (1Ki 11:29) 2. Those who left books bearing their names are called the "literary" prophets B. THE LITERARY PROPHETS ARE CATEGORIZED AS "MAJOR" AND "MINOR" PROPHETS... 1. Augustine is credited with being the first to classify them in this way 2. The distinction pertains only to the length of the books a. The "major prophets" include the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel b. The "minor prophets" are those twelve books from Hosea to Malachi [As we consider the works of the "literary" prophets, we should note that the order of the books in our Bibles is not chronological. Therefore it may serve useful to review...] III. THE LITERARY PROPHETS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER Please note: Dating the prophets is not without controversy, and with some it can be very difficult. What I provide below are the estimates among many conservative scholars... A. NINTH CENTURY (EARLY ASSYRIAN PERIOD) 1. Obadiah (ca. 845 B.C) 2. Joel (ca 830 B.C.) 3. Jonah (790-750 B.C.) -- This is during the period of "The Divided Kingdom" in Israel's history; to the north and east the empire of Assyria was beginning to make its presence known in Israel B. EIGHTH CENTURY (ASSYRIAN PERIOD) 1. Amos (755 B.C.) 2. Hosea (750-725 B.C.) 3. Isaiah (740-700 B.C.) 4. Micah (735-700 B.C.) -- In 722 B.C., the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into Assyrian captivity; these prophets were proclaiming God's message as the nation was being threatened from the north C. SEVENTH CENTURY (CHALDEAN PERIOD) 1. Jeremiah (626-586 B.C.) 2. Zephaniah (630-625 B.C.) 3. Nahum (625-612 B.C.) 4. Habakkuk (625-605 B.C.) -- Assyria was eventually defeated by Babylon; these prophets served as God's messengers when the Babylonian empire threatened the kingdom of Judah D. SIXTH CENTURY (THE EXILE) 1. Ezekiel (593-570 B.C.) 2. Daniel (605-536 B.C.) -- Like many of their countrymen, these prophets were taken into Babylonian captivity; from Babylon they served as God's messengers to both captives and kings E. SIXTH AND FIFTH CENTURIES (POST-EXILIC PERIOD) 1. Haggai (520 B.C.) 2. Zechariah (520-518 B.C.) 3. Malachi (ca. 440 B.C.) -- After the Jews were allowed to return home from Babylonian captivity, God used Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people to rebuild the temple; later, Malachi was used to reform the priesthood during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah [Finally, here are some thoughts on...] IV. UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETS A. THREE THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND AS YOU STUDY THE PROPHETS... 1. Seek to understand the political, social and religious conditions of the times a. Any interpretation must consider how the message was relevant for the people to whom the prophet spoke b. Secondary fulfillment of prophecy is often found in the NT, but this can be understood only when applied by inspired writers of the NT c. Guard against making interpretations that are purely speculative d. Any application to modern events must be carefully harmonized in light of the NT 2. Consider God's relation to the heathen nations (i.e., other than Israel and Judah) a. The prophets often revealed how God directed their destiny and judged them b. This may provide insight as to how Christ rules the nations today! - cf. Mt 28:18; Re 1:5; 2:26;27 3. Note any teaching regarding the Messiah and His coming kingdom - Ac 26:6-7; 28:20 a. The immediate mission of most prophets was to save God's people from idolatry and wickedness b. Failing that, they were sent to announce God's judgment and the coming destruction of the nation c. But many prophets left a message of hope for the future, regarding the Messiah who would come and establish a kingdom that could never be destroyed! B. SOME OF THE GREAT THEMES DEVELOPED BY THE PROPHETS... 1. The holiness of God - He is absolutely pure, righteous, just, merciful, tender, loving, and longsuffering 2. The sovereignty of God - He rules the universe and is above all 3. The immutability of God's word a. He carries out His promises b. One can depend upon Him to act consistently with His Word 4. The terribleness of sin a. God abhors iniquity, and will not tolerate, overlook, nor excuse it b. But He is willing to forgive those who humbly repent 5. Repentance and righteousness a. This is the clarion call of the prophets b. Though severe is God's punishment of the wicked, yet God's mercy is great in loving kindness upon the righteous who are of broken spirit and contrite heart 6. The worship due God - The proper reverence, awe, and respect for God will cause one to praise Him and give thanks for His wonderful grace and mercy! CONCLUSION 1. Why study "The Minor Prophets"? a. This question was asked by a dear sister in Christ, when I preached this series before b. She did not see the value of Christians studying this portion of the Old Testament c. Yet, she later remarked how much she got out of our study 2. Why study "The Minor Prophets"? Because in them we learn about... a. The nature of God, His holiness, justice, righteousness and mercy b. The workings of God, as He dealt with nations, bringing judgment upon the guilty ...which can help us in our relationship with God today, giving us comfort and hope to face the future, knowing that God is in ultimate control! I hope this brief introduction has whetted your appetite to study "The Minor Prophets". Our next lesson will begin the study in earnest with a look at the book of Obadiah...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)