As we have seen in the dive, the main point that the book of Obadiah is trying to make is that God's people should take courage, and the reason for this is that God still reigns supreme over the universe and all its inhabitants. The hope that God's people are to cling to is that God will take care of us and that the wrongs done unto the house of Judah will be made right.
How do we respond to God’s call on our lives? Some of the greatest biblical characters said, “Here I am!” (Abraham (Gen 22:1, 11); Moses (Ex 3:4); Samuel (1 Sam 3:4); Isaiah (Isa 6:8)). What a response! But before we think that all these characters are models of how to respond to God with zeal, and we ponder how we can live up to them we should pause and consider what happens next in their lives.
It’s a challenge that I have only realised since I started working at Open Doors, a ministry that serves the persecuted church. For the past five years, I have met, spoken with or heard the worst stories of persecution you will EVER hear.
In 2014, I travelled to Egypt, during a pivotal moment in the countries tumultuous history. But what shocked me most was how the Coptic Christian minority was treated during this time.
Every time I study a book for TYB I try and use a new commentary just so I can see if they help or hinder my study and also I want to recommend the good ones to you. I have loved using An Introduction to the Old Testament while studying Psalms and Leviticus.
If you are interested in learning the literary devices used in Biblical poetry then this book is for you. We have to remember that we are reading a ‘translation’ of the original text. So, when we read Psalms or any poetry found in the Bible we are not going to truly see the rhythm and literary devices that the author used to portray his message unless we read the text in the original language of Hebrew. But don’t fear, you don’t need to rush off and quickly do a course in Hebrew to understand Psalms
Have you ever been in a situation that was completely unjust and felt like God did not back you. I know this sounds terrible but there have been times in my life that “forgive and turn the other cheek” felt like I was allowing the person to get away with what they had done. It felt so wimpy, so unjust. I wanted justice, vindication, but God called me to forgive. And with gritted teeth and a surrendered heart I forgave.