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2 July 2008
Word on the Web
Obadiah 1 v 10-14
You did violence to your relatives, the Israelites,
so you will be covered with shame
and destroyed forever.
You stood aside without helping
while strangers carried Israel's treasures away.
When foreigners entered Israel's city gate
and threw lots to decide what part of Jerusalem they would take,
you were like one of them.
Edom, do not laugh at your brother Israel in his time of trouble
or be happy about the people of Judah when they are destroyed.
Do not brag when cruel things are done to them.
Do not enter the city gate of my people
in their time of trouble
or laugh at their problems
in their time of trouble.
Do not take their treasures
in their time of trouble.
Do not stand at the crossroads
to destroy those who are trying to escape.
Do not capture those who escape alive and turn them over to their enemy
in their time of trouble.
Today's passage contains a long list of the ways not to treat people. Jesus puts it rather more succinctly, when, in Matthew 22 v 36 to 40 he is asked which is the greatest commandment, and replies "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
The Edomites clearly did not treat the Israelites in the way God desired them to, and it was this which brought God's judgment down upon them, culminating in the prophesy of their total destruction. They had completely failed to show love to the Israelites, otherwise they would not have acted as they did in standing by in Israel's time of need.
Today, how can you put the commandment to "love your neighbour as yourself" into action? It can be tempting to turn a blind eye when we see someone else in need, but that's not God's way. Loving our neighbour will involve a cost, but it's got to be better than being an Edomite!
Lord Jesus, you lived your life as a sacrifice for your people. Please help us to be sacrificial in our love for others, to put others before ourselves, and so to find the true joy in living the way that you want us to. Amen.
Written by John Jackson
Word on the Web
Obadiah 1 v 10-14
You did violence to your relatives, the Israelites,
so you will be covered with shame
and destroyed forever.
You stood aside without helping
while strangers carried Israel's treasures away.
When foreigners entered Israel's city gate
and threw lots to decide what part of Jerusalem they would take,
you were like one of them.
Edom, do not laugh at your brother Israel in his time of trouble
or be happy about the people of Judah when they are destroyed.
Do not brag when cruel things are done to them.
Do not enter the city gate of my people
in their time of trouble
or laugh at their problems
in their time of trouble.
Do not take their treasures
in their time of trouble.
Do not stand at the crossroads
to destroy those who are trying to escape.
Do not capture those who escape alive and turn them over to their enemy
in their time of trouble.
Today's passage contains a long list of the ways not to treat people. Jesus puts it rather more succinctly, when, in Matthew 22 v 36 to 40 he is asked which is the greatest commandment, and replies "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
The Edomites clearly did not treat the Israelites in the way God desired them to, and it was this which brought God's judgment down upon them, culminating in the prophesy of their total destruction. They had completely failed to show love to the Israelites, otherwise they would not have acted as they did in standing by in Israel's time of need.
Today, how can you put the commandment to "love your neighbour as yourself" into action? It can be tempting to turn a blind eye when we see someone else in need, but that's not God's way. Loving our neighbour will involve a cost, but it's got to be better than being an Edomite!
Lord Jesus, you lived your life as a sacrifice for your people. Please help us to be sacrificial in our love for others, to put others before ourselves, and so to find the true joy in living the way that you want us to. Amen.
Written by John Jackson
