Page 8 - Good News March 2009 paper

badiah is the shortest book in the before Him and before others with a
Old Testament, but it conveys a humble, tender heart. Pride, whether it is
Opowerful message that is as valid in a nation or in an individual, will not
today as it was when the prophet escape God's judgment, but humility
Obadiah, whose name means “servant of brings His blessing and favour.
the Lord,” wrote it centuries ago. The pride spoken of in verse 3 of Obadiah
Obadiah prophesied God’s judgment says, “Who can bring me down?” This
against the kingdom of Edom, which was kind of pride says, “I am better than you; I
formed by the descendants of Esau. The am smarter than you. My opinion matters;
Edomites were strong people who were yours does not. Everything I do is better.”
enemies of God’s people Israel, just as Did you know that “me, myself and I” are
their founder, Esau, had been opposed to the greatest problems we have? We
his brother, the Israelite patriarch, Jacob. spend our time and energy admiring
The rivalry between the two brothers ourselves and simply being full of
extended to their descendants, and the ourselves, when in reality we are
Edomites seemed to take great pleasure supposed to be full of God and empty of
in invading and plundering Jerusalem. ourselves - totally empty!
Simply put, the Edomites had a problem God can really only use humble men and
with pride, just as many nations and women. I have heard it said that it is yet to
individuals have today. Obadiah be seen what God can do through a man
declared God’s warning of destruction to or a woman who will give Him all the glory.
Edom, saying, “Behold, I will make you Pride and love do not mix. Love is not
small among the nations [Edom]; you proud and haughty. It is not boastful or
shall be despised exceedingly. The pride conceited. It is not puffed up. Love does
of your heart has deceived you, you not look down on others; it does not see
dweller in the refuges of the rock [Petra, others as little and insignificant. Because
Edom’s capital], whose habitation is love values every individual, everyone
high, who says in his heart, Who can who comes in contact with a person who
bring me down to the ground?” (Obadiah is full of love will be made to feel special,
1:2,3). valuable, and encouraged.
In the end, the Edomites’ pride did lead to Do you want God to use you? Ask Him to
their destruction. God did execute His deal with your pride and give you love for
judgment against them, and these people. Look to your example, JESUS,
people are never mentioned in Scripture Who humbled Himself and gave Himself
again after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. for you!
May the message of Obadiah remind us [The Everyday Life Bible, Faith Words,
that pride is deadly! God wants us to live 2006]

f you woke up this morning with married... you are very fortunate! If they
more health than sickness... you are serve the LORD, you are truly blessed!
Imore blessed than the million If you hold up your head with a smile on
people who will not survive this week! your face and are truly thankful... you
If you have never experienced the are blessed, because the majority can,
danger of battle, the loneliness of but most do not.
imprisonment, the agony of torture, or If you can hold someone's hand, hug
the pangs of starvation... you are them, or even touch them on the
ahead of 500 million people in the shoulder... you are blessed because
world! you can offer God's healing touch.
If you can attend a church meeting If you can read this message... you just
without fear of harassment, arrest, received a double blessing in that
torture or death... you are more someone was thinking of you, and
blessed than three billion people in the furthermore, you are more blessed than
world! over two billion people in the world who
If you have food in the refrigerator, cannot read at all!
clothes on your body, a roof overhead,
and a place to sleep... you are richer Have a good day, count your blessings,
than 75% of this world! and pass this along to remind everyone
If your parents are still alive and still else how blessed we all are!