Families…we all got em’
Obadiah 1:12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress. (ESV)
Edom was the land of Esau, and Israel was the land of Jacob; they were family divided. The history of Jacob and Esau was one of trouble, even from the day they were born. This carried into the nations that they fathered, and their histories were one of continued trouble. God had brought down judgement on Jerusalem for their sins and they were fleeing their country. The Edomites took advantage of them, siding with their enemies, and turned their backs on their brothers in their time of need. Differences aside, they even in God’s eyes should have helped their family in their time of need. Obadiah spoke this prophecy of God’s coming judgement on Edom; Obadiah 1:10 “For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever.
It has been a season of family during the holidays. It has been the time we spend with those closest to us. We see the lifestyles of them that may bring about troubling thoughts. We may see things we know are wrong; we may see things that bother us deeply. Most likely they see some of the same things in us. We all have dysfunctional families in some degree, but they are the only family that we have. God has placed us together in that gene pool for a reason, and it is not to turn our backs on each other. God takes this so seriously that we are not to come to a place of worship with him without a pure heart. Matthew 5:23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Many times this is thought of in relation to the Lord’s Supper; but it also may be in daily context.
We have all heard of Karma; and many may believe that it is an axis on which the world turns. “What goes around comes around.” Their may be some truth to that all wrapped up in God’s Sovereignty, but we all must answer for our thoughts and deeds before Him. Obadiah prophesied of this in Obadiah 1:15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. Can you see where Karma could be derived from that scripture? The day of the Lord is the day of judgement, and we will answer for our lives at that day. Forgive what you have against your family; in so many ways it is so important to God
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