While Christians today are not under the Old Testament, as a
system of justification, the Old Testament, is still of Great
Value to you. And I today, for as we find from
the words of the great Apostle Paul so long ago, as he was
divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit and wrote the Roman
letter. He said in Romans chapter 15 and
verse 4 for whatsoever, things were written aforetime were
written for our learning. That we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
And you remember as the Apostle Paul, the very same author
inspired by the very same, holy spirit of God, wrote to the
young evangelist Timothy and second Timothy 3 and verses 16
and 17. When he said that all scripture
is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine
for reproof for correction for instruction, in righteousness.
That the man of God, God may be perfect or complete thoroughly
furnished unto all. Good works what Paul said there.
So long ago is this, that all things that are found in the 66
books of the entire Bible are God breathed that all scripture
comes from the very inspiration of God.
And when you and I picked up this grand old book today and we
read, what's found in God's word?
It is as if God through the Holy Spirit was Is speaking to us
directly the things that are found in God's word, are all
those things that are god-breathed and Paul said to
Timothy that its profitable for Doctrine for reproof for
correction for instruction in righteousness.
That the man of God may be complete thoroughly furnished
unto all good works. This is especially true with
regard to the Minor Prophets, The Minor Prophets are the 12
books of the last 12 books. The Old Testament scriptures and
they begin with Hosea and end with the Book of Malachi.
I am convinced though today that those that are willing to study
these books, will as one man said one time and I'll just pass
it on. They will be able to have their
lives enriched as they increase number one, their knowledge of
God's holiness his righteousness, his judgment and
his Mercy, we will And our lives enriched as we increase our
understanding of God's dealings in the nation of man.
And finally in certainly not least, we will find our lives
enriched as we increase our appreciation for the Bible as a
literary Masterpiece. But the question is, who were
the prophets? First of all, let me just say
this under the old Covenant, under the law of Moses, they had
different kinds of instructors of instructors, And we'll just
begin with Moses. Since we've just mentioned his
name, Moses was the lawgiver. But also the Bible says and
teaches us and we can study from God's word that under the law of
Moses or under the old Covenant. There were priests and the
priests were administrators of the law.
Then, there were wise, men, and wise.
Men were those who gave Council then.
There were psalmist. And the psalmist were the poets
or Week singers of Israel. And finally, there were the
prophets and the prophets were communicators of the word of
God. Simply put, I'll just say this
that a prophet was the spokesman for another.
Do you remember not long ago probably about a month ago?
Now we spoke on a subject or I preached a sermon in your
hearing about the excuses that Moses made when God said, I've
heard the Cry of my people, their cry has come unto me.
And I am going to deliver them from Egyptian bondage but he
said this is how I'm going to do it.
I'm going to send you, Moses and you are going to speak to the
people. And one of the excuses that
Moses make so long ago was this. I can't do it.
I'm not the right man for the job.
Surely I could not stand before man and communicate your will to
them because I'm not an eloquent man.
I am slow of speech. I am slow.
Whoa of tongue. But you know, God knew all that
God knew his shortcomings. God knew what he was out, what
he was able to do and new his capabilities.
So he said this, he said there's going to be a spokesman for you
and his name is your brother. Aaron in Exodus chapter 4 and
verses 15 and 16 it says and thou shalt speak unto him and
put words in his mouth and I will be with thy mouth and With
his mouth and will teach you what you shall do and he shall
be thy spokesman unto the people and he shall be even he shall be
to thee instead of a mouth and thou shalt be to him.
Instead of God, the word Prophet as defined.
I understand literally means to boil up like a fountain and
these profits while they were under the influence of the holy
spirit of God, they were the spokesman for God.
I'm in second Peter chapter 1 and verse 21.
You remember that Peter said for the prophecy came not in Old
Time by the will of man but by holy men of God spake as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost. You know I love this.
I'm going to pass it on something.
I read somebody said one time, maybe you've heard it.
But a fellow said one time, there's two kinds of preachers.
I think this is true. There really is and the two
kinds of preachers are these. There's the good preacher and
there's the poor preacher and then he said, this is how you
can tell between a good preacher and a poor creature, it's not
one who is eloquent speech and one who's a great orator makes
him a good preacher and one who doesn't have great speaking
ability. Makes him a poor preacher.
No, he said that what makes a good Sure is one who has
something to say. While the poor preacher simply
has to say something and that's the difference, but then he said
this, there's a third and even higher class of preacher.
And that's the man who has something to say, and it burns
down deep within him. And he can't stay put and he
can't be still. And he has to say it thus were
the prophets of God. Jeremiah A whale represents this
latter class as he explains his feelings, you remember his
complaint in Jeremiah chapter 20 beginning in verse 7, listen to
these words he said O Lord thou Hast deceive me and I was
deceived Thou Art stronger than I and Hast prevailed.
I am in derision daily. Everyone Market me for, since I
spake, I cried out, I cried violence and I cried spoil.
Because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me and a
derision daily. Then I said, I will not make
mention anymore in his name, but notice what happened to Jeremiah
the very next words are these. But his word was in my heart as
burning fire, shut up in my bones and I was weary with
forbearing and I could not stay thus were the prophets.
Of God. Well, how are the prophets
classified in the Bible? There are classified into
different classifications and they are these, there were the
oral prophets and then there were the literary prophets.
Well, it's quite obvious who would be the oral prophets and
who would be the literary prophets, or what was the
difference? Here's the difference.
The oral prophets were still the spokesman for God and they went
out as for Taylor's and forth. Tellers to convey the Words of
God, that God wanted them to do so.
But the oral prophets were the ones that did not bear any
writings in their name. Simply put, they are these.
I'll just give you a couple of examples, though.
We could cite a whole lot of them today.
The Prophet Elijah was one who fell under the category of his
of an oral Prophet. The Prophet Elijah, Nathan Gad,
and many, many others. They were ones with that were
the spokesman for Oh God, it, boiled up like a fountain within
them and they conveyed the word of God.
But they did not have any writings bearing, their names
simply put. Now we understand what a
literary. Profit is a literary, prophets.
Are those that had writings that bore their names and of those
literary prophets. They are categorized into
different categories. The Major Prophets, and the
Minor Prophets, but let's understand something.
Today, when I say Major Prophets and I say Minor Prophets, it
doesn't mean that the major prophets were more important
than the Minor Prophets. And it does not mean that the
Minor Prophets were inferior in any way by way of importance, by
way of the man, as the prophet, or even the message that was
being conveyed. It does not mean that they were
inferior to the Major Prophets. It simply is referring to the
length of their writing. The major prophets, were these
Isaiah, Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel and Daniel were the
major prophets and in the Minor Prophets.
As we mentioned, a moment ago, it begets, the last 12 books of
the 39 books of the Old Testament scripture beginning
with Hosea and they were Hosea, Joel, Amos Obadiah Jonah.
Micah Nahum habakkuk Zephaniah haggai, Zechariah and Malachi
the last 12 books. Acts of the Old Testament,
scriptures made up the Minor Prophets.
Now today, let's begin with the prophet Obadiah.
I am convinced that this was written in the 9th century,
during the early Assyrian period in about 845 BC.
I also understand that it is it is really probably unlikely to
pin down for sure between these two dates but some say that in
586 BC that this letter was written, or this book was
written solely. Long ago, but I contend that it
was the earlier date. And I think context wise
supports that, that would make this writing the earliest of
all, of the prophets of the Minor Prophets in 845 BC.
Historically, speaking, you remember that?
This was during the period of the divided Kingdom in Israel's
history to the north, and to the east.
The Empire of Assyria was beginning to make its presence
known in Israel. Let me Just say this.
Who was Obadiah? And I am convinced that it's not
possible to know, for sure, who the prophet Obadiah was, though.
There are many names or many times, when the word or name
Obadiah is mentioned, was it talking about Ahab servant?
So on was it talking about another occasion in second,
chronicles, 17, and 7, we don't know.
But one man said this about Obadiah, it's not necessary that
we understand who, the man was what's necessary, is we
understand what his message was. Us.
And that's what we have. We find very little in God's
word. In fact, we find nothing in
God's word about this particular Obadiah that wrote this book, so
long ago. Let me just give you the message
really quickly. The message of this prophecy was
simply this the fall of Edom, and there's a reason for the
fall of Edom. It's going to be because of its
sinful pride. And let me just say this
whatever was wrong. Back in 8, 45 BC with regards to
Pride is going to be wrong it with you.
And I today as we live in this Christian Life it has always
been wrong. In fact, you remember when Satan
and a third of the hosts of Heaven were cast out because of
their sinful pride pride. The Bible says, goes before
destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
So why was Edom going to be brought down and destroyed?
Why was judgment going to come on the people or the Edomites
that dwelt in that land simply put because of their sinful
Pride, number one and number two because of their cruelty to
Israel. They're cousins you know those
are two things and two themes that ring true today, you can't
have any pride and be acceptable in the eyes of God.
And you certainly cannot be cruel to your fellow man.
Those were things that Jesus taught in the Christian
dispensation before the church was established, Jesus preached
about those things, all those things came into effect in Acts.
The second chapter when the church was established and those
things are wrong today as they were wrong.
So long ago, here's more of the message, Zion would be exalted.
When Mount Isa or Mount seir, which was the Edomite
counterpart design would be cast down.
And when that happens, that's going to happen.
When the rescued of Israel will be in, Zion listen for in it.
The redeemed shall be found. Does that sound like something
else that we know about? In Zion is where the redeemed
would be. Found there's a picture of
something there that Obadiah wrote so long ago and 8:45 BC
will get back to that in Greater detail in just a little while.
But the history of Edom, the people of Edom descended from
Esau Jacob's twin, brother, their sibling rivalry between
Edom. And Israel, though was found,
first in the Twins and Esau and Jacob in their mother's womb,
you Remember the 25th chapter of the Book of Genesis?
We find that the twins struggled in their mother's womb.
You remember also before that though, that Isaac and treated
the Lord for Rebecca because Rebecca was bearing and the
Bible says that she conceived. But the two twins, these two
boys that were in her womb were struggling against each other
struggling together mightily so much.
So that she asks God the question she says, why is this
so Why do these struggle within me?
And God said, this two nations are in thy womb and to manner of
people shall be separated from thy bowels and the one people
shall be stronger than the other people and the Elder Shall Serve
the younger. And the Bible says that when
that when they were in their womb, they struggled, but one
day they were delivered in. The first came out red all over
like, a hairy garment and they called his name.
Esau and after that his brother came out holding on to Esau's
heel and they called him. Jacob.
And the Bible says that the boys grew and Esau was a cunning
Hunter, a man of the field and Jacob was a plain man dwelling
in tents and Isaac loved Esau because of he did eat his
venison but Rebecca loved Jacob you know, this sibling rivalry
continued one day when Jacob had sawed pottage the King James.
Version, I didn't reference other translations but the King
James version says sod pottage. Now what does that?
That's just a fancy way of saying, he boiled some stuff in
a pot. I think this very I think we
need to look at the language of the things that transpired that
day to have a really good understanding of just exactly
the mindset of Esau with what he was willing to give up all of a
sudden Here Comes Esau from the field and he was faint and he
was faint so much so that he thought he was going to die.
Died and he sees Jacob with this, sod pottage and he comes
to him and says this, get this give me that same red pottage.
You know, there was nothing spectacular, there was nothing
special about what he was cooking that day.
It was the same red pottage that he had seen so many times
before. But Esau was desperate and he
comes to Jacob and he thinks he's going to die.
He says I faint give me some of that.
Same red pottage and Jacob. Thought, you know what?
I'm going to do, I'm going to capitalize on the situation.
I'm going to capitalize on his weakness and he said this, give
me your Birthright. Tell me your Birthright in
exchange for some of this pottage and Esau said this, I'm
dying. Anyway, I'm going to lose my
life, I'm faint to the point of death than a birthrights.
Really not going to do me any good anyway.
Deal done, give me the potage and he begins to eat it and so
on and so forth. And the Bible says from that day
forward. Esau did despised his Birthright
but the sibling rivalry continued didn't It you remember
one time when Isaac, the Bible says, Isaac was old and his eyes
were faint in that he could not see, you know, I've tried to
picture how come he didn't understand or how come, he
didn't know. It was Jacob as an imposter
really on that occasion. How did he not know that it
wasn't Esau or at that? How did he not know that?
But the Bible says that, that Isaac says to Esau, he said, I
want you to go out and kill. Me some meat and bring back some
of that venison. Bring me back some of that
savory meat that I love so much, and I'm going to eat and be
filled with it. And then when I'm done, I'm
going to give you the blessing of the firstborn and off.
Esau goes, I don't know how long he was gone, but he was gone
long enough, but overhearing, what was happening?
There was Rebecca. You remember the Bible says that
Rebecca loved Jacob and Rebecca comes to Jacob.
And he says And she says this, your brother Esau is about to
receive his Blessing, the blessing of the firstborn.
He's out there trying to bring some meat in, he's going to
bring venison or savory meat to your father, and have the
blessing go quickly now. And get two goats from the flock
and you bring them in and I will prepare Savory meat for thy
father. And Jacob said, I'll never get
away with it. Esau is a hairy man and I am a
smooth man. He will reach back and touch
behind my neck and find that I am smooth on my neck and,
therefore, he'll know, it's me. He said, and if I try to deceive
him, he's gonna know it's me. And not only, am I not going to
receive the blessing? I'm going to receive a cursing
from him, and Rebecca said, let his curse be on me do, as you're
told, and he does. And the Bible says, they took
those skins with the Furs and she put those On his hands.
And she put it on the back of his neck.
And here, he comes with the Savory meat to bring to Isaac.
And he says here, father, it is as I paraphrase.
Here's the venison that you wanted.
Here's the Savory meat and he's going to eat that.
And he says, and then you can give me my blessing.
And Isaac said, how can it be? So you sound like Jacob, but you
feel like Esau when he reached out and touched the hands of
Jacob and found those So first skins, he said you feel like,
like, Esau, you sound like Jacob, who isn't?
He says I'm he saw and he ate it and he gave the blessing to
Jacob and we know the story. Esau wanted to kill Jacob and
Rebecca told him that to flee, and get away from that.
And so on, here's really the point though, as they reconciled
later on in about Genesis, the 32nd and 33rd chapter, we find
that they did reconcile. But their descendants still
struggled together. And so we find also that those
descendants continued as we find in The Exodus.
When Edom refused Israel Passage through their land.
Notice the numbers, the 20th, chapter beginning in verse
number 14 and Moses sent Messengers from Kadesh under the
king of Edom, thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all
the travail that hath. Befallen us how our fathers went
down into Egypt and we have dwelt in Egypt for a long time
and the Egyptians vexed us and our fathers.
And when We Cried unto the Lord, he heard our voice and send an
angel and hath brought us forth out of Egypt and behold.
We are in K Desh a city in the uttermost of vibe order.
Let us pass. I pray thee.
Through thy country, we will not pass through the fields, or
Through The Vineyards. Neither will we drink of the
water of the wells. We will go by the Kings Highway.
We will not turn to the right hand, nor to the left until we
have passed thy borders. And Edom said unto him.
Thou shalt not pass by me. Lest I come out against thee
with The Sword and the children of Israel said unto him, we will
go by the highway and if If I and my cattle drink of the
water, then I will pay for it. I will only without doing
anything else. Go through on my feet and he
said, Thou shalt not go through and eat them.
Came out against him with much people and with the strong hand
the descendants of those at odds with one another Edom.
Do you remember? Historically speaking was
finally subjected by David in second.
Chapter 8 and verses 13 and 14 where it says this and David got
him a name when he returned from smiting of the syrians, in the
valley of salt being 18,000 men, and he put Garrison's in Edom
throughout all Edom, put he Garrison's and all they of Edom
became David servants and the Lord preserve David.
Whithersoever, he went, but then in second Kings chapter, 18
verses 20 through 22. To that in the days of joram, or
jehoram Edom, revolted and located, south of the Dead Sea,
and built their cities in the cliffs and they thought
themselves impregnable and that no one was mighty enough to
overthrow them and that was a problem.
That rang true all the way until 8:45 BC, when Obadiah the
prophet spoke as he did. So long ago, they thought, you
know what we're going to do, we're going to revolt And we're
going to go make our cities in the cliffs.
We're going to be hidden here. They'll never come and get us
will see them coming and we're going to be protected here and
no power and no might of man could ever overthrow us for.
We are Mighty in this way but you know by 100 BC they were
finally conquered. Many of them were forced to be
to be circumcised and accept the law becoming nominal Jewish
proselytes and By 100 AD historically speaking, eat them
as a race and nation was lost to history.
Let me just very briefly, give you the outline of the book.
First of all, there's the coming Judgment of Edom in verses 1
through 9 that Edom do deceive by pride of her location will be
brought down and that, that destruction will be absolutely
complete. That Edom will be betrayed by
its allies to, you know. People do sometimes when they
think they've got friends. Let me just tell you this, in
the world. In the flesh, we have people
that we think are our lives. We think sometimes that we're
going to be strong or for example, we have something that
we have to stand up for a cause that we have to stand up for.
Now, I'm not talking about members of the body of Christ
who stand for truth and right and listen, we stand together
and we always will stand together and may we never be
apart with regard to right and wrong.
With what you and I must stand for as the body of Christ as
Christians. But I'll tell you something else
though, you know what happens when you're in the world and all
of a sudden you have to stand for a cause and you have allies
and you got people backing you up.
Have you ever been placed in a position in your life?
When all of a sudden because, you know, their strength in
numbers and you stand there, you stand there, strong and you turn
around and your allies have left.
You Have you ever had that happen?
It turn around and you're all alone.
The allies of Edom, they thought that because of the strength of
their allies and because of the strength and power of their
location, there was no way that they could be brought down.
And yet, those were prideful things that condemn them.
Their allies left them and not even all the wisdom and all the
might In the Flesh. Could save them.
Now, then Obadiah gives the reason for violence and
unbrotherly conduct toward Jacob.
He gives a rebuke of such and then he says this in verses 15
and 16 where he speaks of the day of the Lord, the day of the
Lord is the day that God manifests himself to overthrow
his and Enemies. And I'll tell you this though,
when we have conduct toward each other, that is not like it ought
to be We're going to answer for that.
Sometimes people say, and I'm not trying to be repetitive.
You've heard me preach this. I'll say his really quickly
about judging others. We can judge.
Yes, we do, we judge righteous judgment.
We use the word of God. We consider thyself, ourself.
Absolutely lest we be tempted and we have to have the right
heart Spirit motivation intention and all of that.
When we stand in judgment over another, without those things,
we're going to hear the very same thing.
Back on the day of judgment, the things that these people had
done. We're going to hear it back in
their literal destruction because of what they had done.
And in the day of the Lord, that's the day that God,
overthrows his enemies, he did. So and the day of the Lord for
you and I is the Judgment Day and that's the day that God will
overthrow his enemies as well. And we're going to hear Here,
how we had judgment over another on that day.
I don't know about you, but I kind of think I need all the
help. I can get, I don't want to hurt
myself on the day of judgment because I've judged wrongfully
in this life and let me just say one more thing and I'll move on
You can stand for what's right? You can go to your brother and
you can rebuke him and you can do so strongly, but you can do.
So with the right heart, you can do.
So with the right intention and the right motive that you want
your brother to repent, because you know what's coming down the
line. If they don't, I'll tell you
something, there's nothing in the world wrong with that.
In fact, you know what Jesus said said, he said get the beam
out of your eye. So you see clearly to help your
brother, not just leave him alone and he leaves you alone.
No, we don't leave Other alone, we just cast out our own
problems. So we can see clearly to do what
help our brother live the Christian Life.
Third thing, we find in this chapter in this book is the
exultation of Israel over Jordan.
Overeaten, deliverance and Holiness will be found in Mount
Zion, not Mount, Esau or Mount seir.
Which was the prominent mountain in Edom?
The house of Jacob. Shall consume the house of Esau
the children of Israel. Shall possess Edom and
surrounding Nations. And the ultimate rule will be
that of the laws. You know, the Fulfillment of
this prophecy was twofold. It was immediate with the
literal fulfillment of it. Beginning when edom's
destruction began with the Babylonian Invasion under
Nebuchadnezzar and about 600 BC and we spoke of just a moment
ago historically by what happened by 100 BC and as they
were finally destroyed and by 100 AD, there were the people as
a race and Nation were lost to history.
But there's also the ultimate fulfillment.
Most likely coming with the Messiah with Jesus Christ for
with his coming and establishment of the spiritual
Kingdom. Beginning at Jerusalem and that
deliverance and Holiness did come from Mount.
Zion in Jerusalem, in Luke 24. You remember after Jesus was
crucified and after he was buried, he rose from the dead on
the third day. And he was about to spend about
40 days with those disciples. And what did he say?
He said in Luke the 24th chapter he said, and that repentance and
remission of sins would be preached in his name among Among
all nations beginning where beginning at Jerusalem, then it
says that the ultimate rule will be that of the Lords.
Jesus said those words and the twenty-eighth chapter of the
Book of Matthew and beginning in verse 18, what did Jesus say?
He said all power or all authority is given unto me in
heaven and in Earth and because of that power because of that
Authority, he was able to say to go either.
For and teach All Nations, baptizing them in the name of
the father, and of the son and of the Holy Ghost and then
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever.
I have commanded you and lo, I Am With You Always even to the
end of the world and first Peter 3 and 22.
Who is gone into heaven? And is on the right hand of God,
angels and authorities and Powers, being made subject unto
him. But finally along this line, the
house of Jacob. The true.
Spiritual Israel did possess Edom as the Gentiles among them
became Christians. We're faithful Gentiles are
spoken of as being grafted into the stock of Israel time will
not permit us. Us to go there, Romans 11 and
verses 13 through 18, to support this interpretation.
You remember that in the Old Testament prophecy Mount Zion is
used as a symbol of spiritual Jerusalem.
And that being today, the church.
And as Obadiah pointed out, the literal place of safety and
refuge would be found on literal Mount Zion understand this, the
only place that the child of God or You want in the whole world
is going to have refuge and security and safety is found in
Mount. Zion in the church, there is
nothing outside of the body of Christ.
That is a place of Refuge. Obadiah pictures to mountains.
One is the counterpart of the other one is in Edom is going to
be destroyed, but all of those that are not going to be
destroyed, will not be destroyed because they found refuge in
solace in Mount. Zion the only place that you can
find that kind of safety, I'll touch on that one more time at
the very end of our talk. And I'm almost through stay with
me. Let me just talk to you now
about some lessons learned Learned from the book of
Obadiah. As we mentioned before that,
Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a
fall Proverbs 16 and 18. You know, one of the things
that's wrong with pride is it leads to vanity and it leads to
a sense of independence from God if I live my life in a prideful
state or prideful condition if I Elevate myself too highly and
I'm filled with all of my Wonderful Pride, that is in me.
I'm really saying by my actions. I am demonstrating.
I don't need God. I can exist in my independent
state with all of my pride because of how great that I am
because of where I live, because of what I have because of the
friends that I hang out with and so on and so forth.
If I do that, then what I'm doing is I'm demonstrating to
God that I don't need him in my life and that's not true.
Just as Edom took pride in their geographical location, allies
wisdom and might such arrogance. God will always punished and
Isaiah 13 beginning in verse nine.
Listen to this, behold the day of the Lord cometh cruel both
with wrath and fierce angle anger to lay the land desolate.
And he shall destroy the Sinners there of out of it, for the
stars of Heaven. And the constellations thereof
shall not give They're like the sun shall be darkened in his
going forth and the moon shall not cause her like to shine.
And I will punish the world for their evil and the wicked for
their iniquity and I will cause the arrogancy of The Proud to
cease and will lay low, the haughtiness of the terrible may,
we always all the days of our life be on guard against such
Pride. Second lesson, Don't mistreat
your brethren. That's something else we learned
to. Don't mistreat your brethren.
Everyone here has a family of some sort, some sighs, maybe
you've had a sibling, maybe you've been married, you know
what happens sometimes. Sometimes the people that were
related to that, we're supposed to be the closest to where the
worst to. I don't know why.
That's the way that it is. But it is we have all done that
a time or two will be on our best behavior in the eyes of the
world. But then when we get to the
confines of our own family, the people that were supposed to
love and cherish and protect. Sometimes where the very worst
to let? That never be said, among the
people of God to themselves. Don't ever let.
That we said that we treat the people of God we that are, are
the people of God, treating each other wrongfully.
That was another thing that these people did that was wrong
that condemn them and brought down their destruction.
In verse 10 of the book of Obadiah.
It says for thy violence against thy brother.
Jacob, shame shall cover thee and thou Be cut off forever.
And so we learned that how we treat our Brethren, affects our
relationship with the Lord. Paul said in First Corinthians
chapter 8 and verse 12, but when you sin so against the Brethren
and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
And so may, we always be careful of how we treat.
One another, thirdly get this one.
Don't rejoice in the Calamity of another.
Don't rejoice when something happens to another, that's bad.
Let's be real honest though, right now.
And the ever done like I have at least once or twice, I would
imagine Imagine there's quite a few more I just can't remember,
but say you have an enemy. and he missed treats you and he says
things to you and he does evil against you and so on, you're
trying to have the Christian attitude, you don't retaliate
because we don't Then all of a sudden, something happens.
Bad in his life. You know what?
You kind of say inside? That's the way, all right.
Oh, that's great. He sure had that coming and then
we Rejoice because something bad happened to someone else.
That's another lesson that we find that we need not to do.
Don't rejoice when your enemy Falls.
Proverbs 24, 17 and 18 says, Rejoice, not when thine enemy
falleth and let not thine heart. Be glad when he stumbleth less
the Lord see it and it displeased him.
Excuse me, and he turn away his wrath from him.
You know, this Edom did when Judah was plundered and verse
12, but Thou shalt it's not have looked on the day of thy brother
in the day that he became a stranger.
Thou has rejoiced over it over the children of Judah.
In the day of their destruction, neither shouldst.
Thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress rejoicing.
In the Calamity of another is a sin.
And, you know what else? His too.
You can't rejoice in their bad things, that happened to him.
But you know what else you're not supposed to do.
You're not supposed to see that they're in need and passed by on
the other side doing nothing to help them.
Remember when Jesus talked about that he said that there was a
man and he was traveling on about a 15-mile road that
descended some 3,000 feet, it was rough and it was Rocky and
it descended, some 3,000 feet beginning with that Jerusalem,
down to Jericho, he said this man falls among Thieves and
somebody comes and takes what he has and they almost beat him to
death and they leave him for dead.
You know what I think about there are folks here that are
from the same area. I was in the Oxnard area and
you'll remember when I'm talking about, but in the colonial
Colonial area, you didn't go down there at night.
That's a good way to get in trouble.
You didn't drive down those streets.
You didn't walk down those streets.
It was a rough place to be. Well, this fella, I understand
is traveling on a road that's just as rough and he falls among
Thieves. Here's my point two men passed
by One of them. Surely he's going to stop.
You know why? He's a priest.
He's a worshiper of God. He's a worshipper in the temple.
Surely. He's going to stop and help this
man. But he passes off.
Passes on by, then Jesus said, there's a levite, all, he's
going to stop. You know why?
Because he's a man that rolls up his sleeves, he's a worker in
the temple, he's a helper. He's a man that's going to stop.
Surely you know what the Bible says that he does?
Jesus says he looks on the man and deliberately passes on the
other side. It's wrong to do that.
We don't rejoice when they're have lll, come their way, but we
certainly don't pass on the other side doing nothing when we
can help them. But not only did Edom passed by
on the other side refusing to help but she also joined in the
attackers to loot them. Surely, you've seen on TV down
in l.a. something bad happens. In that awful, people have their
houses and they have their businesses and they have things
of value in those buildings and something happens, that comes
their way and earthquake flood a fire some sort of tragedy in
their life, whatever it is. And not only do you pass on the
other side and do nothing to help.
Not only do you rejoice in their Calamity but how about the
people that actually go inside their buildings and steal?
What they have, that's what Edom did they joined in with the
attackers and looted them? We're getting a pretty good
picture of why they were to fall.
Let's never rejoice when our enemy Falls.
Let's be there to help those that are in need and surely, I
don't have to say this to God's people but surely we would not
join in with the attackers and take what they have.
But finally, and then I will be through in the division, the
time of divine judgment. God provides a means and place
for escape for those who turn to him and verse 17.
Obadiah says that upon Mount Zion shall be Deliverance.
Today, spiritual Mount Zion is the place that we can turn and
let me just tell you this. I understand that you and I are
in the flesh. I know that. but the place of
Refuge is the church, and let me just tell you this too, I know
that sometimes because we're in the flesh, maybe we don't always
behave ourselves, the way that we should, and we regret that
But I'll tell you this, too. We know that we cannot get to
God the Father in Heaven one day except through Christ, through
his body, being the church and that's a blessing because it's
the ultimate victory in heaven. But let me just say this to,
when you have challenges in your life, when you have things that
come your way that are difficult to handle.
I'm going to tell you something else too.
The church is the place of Refuge, because in the church is
where God's people are. And those sometimes we don't
always behave as we should God's people are the greatest people
in all the world. The reason for that, not because
of our own conceit in our own Pride.
But because we go by a different standard.
We ever desire and strive to be like, Christ in all that we do
the church, Zion is the only place of Refuge for, as Obadiah
said, so long ago for in it, the redeemed shall be found.
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