Obadiah; Jeremiah 40-42; Psalm 147; 1 Peter 5
Obadiah:
Obadiah proclaims God's word to Edom, the descendants of Esau, who lived near Israel. God controls and judges His people and all the earth's nations. Even though the Babylonian invasion was a just punishment from God for Israel's disobedience, God punishes Edom for their reaction to this event: "You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune... nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction" (Obad. 1:12). "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your head" (Obad. 1:15).
The book ends with a prophecy about Israel's restoration, which will happen in the end times, and the ultimate defeat of all its enemies: "But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance" (Obad. 1:17). "Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord's" (Obad. 1:21).
Jeremiah 40-42
Jeremiah's prophetic ministry continues even after most of the people are either killed or taken into captivity in Babylon. God continues to speak through him to the remnant of Jews living in the land at that time.
God's instructions often contradict human expectations, especially in difficult times. In this situation, God commands the Jews to serve their captors: "…stay in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you" (Jer. 40:9).
The Jews, seeking God's guidance through Jeremiah and promising to obey whatever He commands, expected God to support their plans. But when God forbids them to seek help from Egypt, they are unwilling to do what He commands (Jer. 42:10-22).
Psalm 147
This psalm expresses hope that one day, the Lord will fulfill His promise to gather "the exiles of Israel" (Ps. 147:2). God is great, lifts the humble, and delights in those who trust and fear Him.
1 Peter 5
Pastors carry one of the most important responsibilities in the world: caring for the Church, the body of Christ. This requires their faithfulness to Christ, genuine concern for those saved by Him, and a spirit of humility. The congregation, in turn, is called to respect and submit to them: "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5).
Obadiah proclaims God's word to Edom, the descendants of Esau, who lived near Israel. God controls and judges His people and all the earth's nations. Even though the Babylonian invasion was a just punishment from God for Israel's disobedience, God punishes Edom for their reaction to this event: "You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune... nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction" (Obad. 1:12). "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your head" (Obad. 1:15).
The book ends with a prophecy about Israel's restoration, which will happen in the end times, and the ultimate defeat of all its enemies: "But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance" (Obad. 1:17). "Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord's" (Obad. 1:21).
Jeremiah 40-42
Jeremiah's prophetic ministry continues even after most of the people are either killed or taken into captivity in Babylon. God continues to speak through him to the remnant of Jews living in the land at that time.
God's instructions often contradict human expectations, especially in difficult times. In this situation, God commands the Jews to serve their captors: "…stay in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you" (Jer. 40:9).
The Jews, seeking God's guidance through Jeremiah and promising to obey whatever He commands, expected God to support their plans. But when God forbids them to seek help from Egypt, they are unwilling to do what He commands (Jer. 42:10-22).
Psalm 147
This psalm expresses hope that one day, the Lord will fulfill His promise to gather "the exiles of Israel" (Ps. 147:2). God is great, lifts the humble, and delights in those who trust and fear Him.
1 Peter 5
Pastors carry one of the most important responsibilities in the world: caring for the Church, the body of Christ. This requires their faithfulness to Christ, genuine concern for those saved by Him, and a spirit of humility. The congregation, in turn, is called to respect and submit to them: "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5).
Posted in Reading Bible Together