Daily Devotions
Obadiah
"We have heard a report from the LORD"
Text: Obadiah 1d
THE PASSING OF THE YEARS
Edom’s immediate neighbours were Moab and Ammon. These three kingdoms shared deep roots together.
1. Edom’s father was Isaac. His grandfather was Abraham.
2. Moab and Ammon were brothers. Their father was Lot. He was the nephew of Abraham. (Genesis 19:36-38).
THE SUBJECTION OF THESE NATIONS TO KING DAVID
David was a warrior king. He was a hero to the nation. Under him, many nations paid tribute to Israel. Edom was mentioned together with other nations as kingdoms David conquered (1 Chronicles 19-20).
1. Nobody likes to be conquered.
2. The conquered nations had to pay hefty annual tributes to Israel.
REBELLION AND WARS
Many were the wars Israel had to fight with the following nations. These may be called “traditional enemies” of Israel. The history of wars fought with Israel were written in the historical books (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles).
1. Syria
2. Philistia
3. Ammon
4. Moab
5. Edom
THE LORD’S JUDGMENT
The Lord sent many prophets as His servants to proclaim Divine judgment on these nations. These prophets were called His “messengers”. A messenger may also refer to the one sent to coordinate the nations.
“We have heard a report from the LORD,
And a messenger has been sent among the nations…”
Obadiah 1
1. “We have heard a report from the LORD”
a) A word had been sent by the Lord.
b) It is called “a report”.
i) A careful study had been made.
ii) It may now be called “a report”.
(No details of the report are given at this point of time.)