Reckoning, Retribution, And Recompense Series

Sermon for Sunday May 3, 2015

Obadiah 10-21, main verse of text is 15

Review

2 weeks ago we talked about Obadiah. Let’s do a little review for context and catch us up…Obadiah is primarily a prophecy against the nation of Edom, sometimes called Esau after the father of their nation, for their hostile treatment against God’s people, the Hebrew nation, in the Old Testament. Edom has a very harsh prophecy leveled against them, and the record of Edom’s hostility against Israel goes back to a time in which Israel was still traveling through the wilderness to reach the promised land.

Because of Edom’s treatment of Israel, and even moreso, because of their pride, they will be brought low as a nation, and will be destroyed. Today, in 2015, we can look back and see that this prophecy did come true within a couple of hundred years after it was written.

2 weeks ago, we talked about the problem of Esau, who forsook everything for the sake of hunger; we talked about Edom, who forsook everything for the sake of hostility; and we talked about Herod, also an Edomite, who forsook it all for the sake of himself – a very proud man.

Today, we’re going to finish the rest of the book of Obadiah, and while we won’t have time to cover every single text and nuance in the book, it is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will reveal new and yet timeless truths to us today, that we might see the lesson of these people, and the nature of God, and understand the Word and understand our heavenly Father more.

I’d like to read one verse for our main text this morning, and then we’ll go back and read the surrounding verses.

Main Text

15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.

Extended Text

10 Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.

11 On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.

12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.

13 Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity; do not loot his wealth in the day of his calamity.

14 Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress.

15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.

The main text

15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.

A Day of Reckoning

15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations

Well, what exactly are we talking about? Is this day of the Lord something that has occurred yet, or not? This particular phrase, “The Day of the Lord,” is found throughout prophetic books of the Bible. But is it saying that this day of the Lord might be in reference to the nation of Edom only. Or do we, here in 2015, still have a “Day of the Lord” impending on us as well?

Verse 8 references a day in which the judgment of Edom is set:

Will I not on that day, declares the LORD, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau?

So, there’s no doubt, a day is coming for Edom. And this isn’t referring to a great, getting-up morning like the old hymn says. The Day of the Lord is a reference of judgment, a reference to God executing justice, a day in which God is the sole victor over His enemies. And we know from looking back on history that the nation of Edom did not continue. They did not win. They did not continue to do these things outlined in verses 10-14 – they did not continue to:

10 (do) violence done to your brother Jacob

11 On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth

12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune;