Well today, we're reading the shortest book in the Old Testament, Obadiah. But short doesn't mean we're not going to find an important message. Now as you get into Obadiah, it may be a little difficult to unwrap. So here's what's going on.
What we're seeing today is the result of people not letting things go--in other words, holding grudges. Dr. Kroll explains it wonderfully in the Calling America Bible. "The Edomites, descendants of Esau, couldn't bring themselves to forgive the Israelites, descendants of Jacob, because their ancestor had been swindled out of his birthright. This single-chaptered book illustrates that when we hold grudges, we always hurt ourselves more than the person we hold a grudge against."
Thinking back over my life experiences, I have to say those words are so true. I can't think of one grudge that ever did me any good. Even so, I still want to go there when I think someone has wronged me. Can you relate? So what can we do to help us work on letting go, forgiving (regardless of whether the other party asks for it) and getting on with what's important to God? Tami W.
I just finished reading a book that reflects these thoughts so well. the title of it is "Think No Evil". It is the story of the Amish schoolhouse shootings that happened 3 years ago near where I live. The book talks about forgiveness in the light of something so horrific. I highly reccomend it...although it is a very hard read, it will cause you to reflect on forgiveness in a whole new way, believe me.
I can stay in the word daily so I'll be remembered of important things like this constantly and learn to lean on my Lord and soften my heart to His will. Thanks Tammy for continuing to send these emails even though I haven't looked at one in a long time!
Hi Tammy -
One other thing about my question yesterday on forgiving - the person I mentioned lives 1,000 miles away from me and like I mentioned yesterday does not think she wronged me in any way that would need forgiveness on my part.
Thanks.
Jeff S
RT Kendall has written a book entitled "Total Forgiveness." I would say it is a MUST read for every Christian. It is scripturally based and sound. It is a very challenging book because some are the steps are very difficult. Forgiveness brings tremendous freedom, especially for us.
When i read Obadiah i find the struggle between happiness and pride. for me personally i struggle with this all the time. where do you draw the line between being happy for what you have in life and being proud? I see the apparent form of God's wrath when we refuse to humble ourselves and forgive, and to let go. so many times i find myself in a what i like to call a "pride check." I might be doing something unacceptable in God's eyes and he likes to let me know, so i can learn and move on from it. Others call this Karma, i call it painful. the House of Esau i think learned it this best. It its clear refusal to forgive God showed the same sort of merciless treatment. some of the worst days can end up the best lessons.
Definitely, this passage intimates the Golden Rule at its heart: “you shall be treated as you have treated others” (v.15). It also indicates that the greatest sin against God is Pride: “Your proud, insolent heart has led you astray; you who haunt the crannies among the rocks, making your home on the heights, you say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me to the ground?’ Though you soar as high as a vulture and your nest is set among the stars…” (v. 3-4). The writer of Obadiah suggests that pride is a deadly sin (the birds that soar are vultures) and that those who nurse it live in the darkness (their nest is set among the stars). There is no doubt that this theme of Pride being a deadly sin (the first of the Seven Deadly) is repeated in all the great literatures of the world.
Choosing the right path of forgiving and letting go is always the best decision for us to make. It makes the healing process quicker and easier, when we hold grudges it does hurt us more. In verses 10 -14 it speaks about delighting in the calamity of others and causing some of the calamities ,a lesson which speaks to me that if someone does us wrong, it is wrong for us to celebrate when disaster struck on their side.As i read further in Genesis about where the story all began one would think that Esau and Jacob had resolve their problem, but unfortunately it became a generational thing that did more harm than in their time.Another thing in verse 10 God remind Esau of the "violence that he had plot against Jacob and the shame that would cover him for that".God is aware of everything that we do and say and the bible reminds us that whatsoever we say whether good or bad would judge us, so because of that i have to strive to be careful of what i say even while being angry.