Thursday, August 31, 2006
Galatians 3:6-7 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to
him for righteousness. Therefore know that only those who are of faith
are sons of Abraham.
PROMISES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Some people often state that they don't enjoy history because there
is no practicality for their life -- it just doesn't relate to them.
As you read through the Old Testament, do you find yourself feeling
the same way? Asking yourself, "What does this have to say to me?"
Sometimes we get so caught up in the events of that time that we fail
to see its application for us today.
This is often the case as one studies the messages of God's Old
Testament prophets. For example, God sent the prophet Obadiah to
proclaim judgment on the people of Edom for their part in not
protecting the people of Israel from invaders. The people of Edom
were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, so the people of Edom
and the people of Israel were related. But instead of protecting
Israel, the people of Edom joined the attackers in raiding Israel.
Obadiah proclaimed, "For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame
shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever" (Obadiah 1:21).
Reading that, we might wonder what the LORD could possibly be telling
us in the year 2006!
But the judgment upon Edom opens the door for the prophet Obadiah to
discuss the greater judgment of "the Day of the LORD" which will come
upon all people. This prophecy pictures not only the coming physical
judgment against Edom, but also the coming judgment of the world on
the final Judgment Day. All sin will be punished, not just the sins
of the Edomites. Our sin will also receive its just reward and needs
to be atoned for!
So the LORD also proclaims deliverance: "But on Mount Zion there
shall be deliverance, And there shall be holiness; The house of Jacob
shall possess their possessions" (Obadiah 1:17). The phrases "Mount
Zion" and "house of Jacob" referred to Jerusalem and God's chosen
people of Israel. But this is also a promise to you and to me as Paul
says in our verse from Galatians. By faith we are the sons of Abraham,
the children of God. As we read verses like these from the Old
Testament, we can be sure that these promises are also for us through
faith in Christ we also will be delivered in the day of Judgment!
