Daily Devotions
Obadiah
"Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle"
Text: Obadiah 1e
WARNING OF WAR
The ancient world was filled with much turbulence arising from conflicts. War was an option that many nations made again and again!
“Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”
Obadiah 1e
1. Early record of battles involving alliances
There was a mention of war in the days of Abram.
a) King Amraphel of Shinar, King Chedorlaomer of Elam, Tidal, king of nations and King Arioch of Ellasar (Alliance of four kings) {Genesis 14:1, 9}
b) The above made war with King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, king Shinab of Admah, king Bela of Zoar and king Shemeber of Zeboiim (Alliance of five kings){Genesis 14:2}.
c) The latter nations had paid tribute to King Chedorlaomer until they rebelled.
d) Amraphel, Chedorlaomer and Tidal attacked their vassal states and more (Genesis 14:5)
2. Messenger sent
a) The kings had to work out how they would work together.
b) A messenger would have a lot of work to do before he can co-ordinate the challenge of going to war.
3. “Let us rise up against her for battle”
a) The group of nations were not mentioned.
b) But these could be neighbouring states that became allies.
c) War always involved a number of nations working together.
A messenger (“ambassador”) would be sent to invite other nations to form an alliance.
d) Therein was their strength.
i) There would be more troops.
ii) There would be more strength in terms of military might.
iii) The objective is more easily gained.
e) Therein was also their weakness.
i) The allies seldom stay together for long.
ii) Often, they end up quarreling with each other.
iii) Then they attack each other and war starts all over again.
f) The problem of war has never ceased in the record of world history
Beneath the plans of war is the deadly problem of sin, transgression and iniquity!