We all face opposition, and no one on this planet earth lacks an enemy. Regardless of how many people love you, you realize, there are others, who would not want to see you face another day. The bad part is, when you realize and notice your enemies, you start wishing they were removed from your path, but many times, God allows them for a reason or removes them when their purpose is fulfilled. When God judges our enemies or removes them from our path, he still demands we do not feel good or rejoice because of their calamity. He says ,”Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall, nor be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. [Proverbs 24:17 ]. In the old testament, this verse in proverbs became real to the descendants of Isaac, The Edomites] .When Israel was facing it rough, courtesy of their sins, Edom was happy that Jacob [brother to Esaus],is facing it rough. Instead of helping them as brothers, they helped the enemies of Jacob.The Lord sent a word to them by Prophet Obadiah and said ,Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever. When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them. Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies. “You should not have gloated when they exiled your relatives to distant lands. He continues, 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.[Obadiah1:10-14] Its so unfortunate what Edom did to their brothers .This was of course courtesy of family rivalry and hate that existed between Jacob and Esaus when he was stripped off his birthright by Jacob. They were secure and in position to help Israel overcome their enemies, instead, they helped the enemies. Edomites were very secure and able to help Israel but they couldn’t. Just to show how secure they were, In verse 3, the Lord tells them, You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down, ”says the Lord. “If thieves came at night and robbed you what a disaster awaits you!), [Obadiah 1:3] Saint of God, that message still applies to us today. Maybe if i may ask, how do you respond when the family members in your home are having it rough, yet they have been real enemies? Do you say Oh, let them feel how i have been feeling or do you run to help them out of the mess they are in? God noticed how happy Edom was when their brother Jacob was facing it rough and judge them for that. Its a message to the church of Jesus today too. We need to embrace one another regardless of how many people are spreading rumors and trying to destroy our ministries. God is the ultimate judge. Paul said to the church in Romans not to repay anyone evil for evil. He continues, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, ”says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. ”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:20-21]lets head that in Jesus name. amen
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 07:41:47 +0000
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