Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

30 June 2024

Reading From Obadiah 1, Psalms 82-83

“You should not have gloated
    when they exiled your relatives to distant lands.
You should not have rejoiced
    when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune.
You should not have spoken arrogantly
    in that terrible time of trouble.
You should not have plundered the land of Israel
    when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have gloated over their destruction
    when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have seized their wealth
    when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have stood at the crossroads,
    killing those who tried to escape.
You should not have captured the survivors
    and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble.”

–Obadiah 1:12-14

     Edom was a neighboring nation that was related to the children of Israel by way of being descended from Esau.  Obadiah prophesies the downfall of Edom because of its mistreatment of its neighboring nation, Israel.  As I read through this passage, it seemed like a laundry list of things that can go wrong in a relationship.  When someone is suffering, we shouldn’t sit by and do nothing to help.  Worse than apathy, we should refrain from rejoicing when others we might not like are having a hard time.  Finally, it is wrong to take advantage of others in distress.

“God, thank You that even if we do not see Your justice carried out in this life, we are assured that You will have Your perfect way in the next.  Amen.”

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
    uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
Rescue the poor and helpless;
    deliver them from the grasp of evil people.”

–Psalm 82:3-4