Posts are the original thoughts and writings of Rev. Kelly Bates Oglesby
Obadiah: A Prophecy Relevant for Today
Scholars and theologians do not agree on which Obadiah penned the prophecy recorded in the book of Obadiah; however, the significance is that the historical markers in the account provide evidence that the prophet lived and represented God during time periods that are detailed in other historical accounts. While we do not know which Obadiah wrote the prophecy we know that it came from God and that this is an accurate account.
The meaning of Obadiah is Servant of Yahweh or Worshipper of Yahweh. Obadiah was able to speak for God because he was submitted to God. It is required of those speaking for God to be servants or worshippers of God first. One with a true understanding of who God is will worship and serve Him willingly and consistently. Moreover, the one with a true revelation of who God is will seek to bring others into the same revelation that they may have relationship with God as well.
It behooves us to know and understand the biblical mandate of leaders when we assess leaders in our lives. Today, people too easily and quickly choose leaders based on feelings, popularity, attractiveness, speaking or singing ability�we should discern the person�s dedication to worship and serve God. When we seek pleasure and entertainment from our spiritual leaders we become dull and unable or unwilling to receive spiritual correction, prophecy, and warning that is necessary for our spiritual growth and maturity. Unfortunately, people forget that false prophets will be punished but so will those who follow false prophets.
Obadiah 1:1 We have heard a message from the Lord that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say, "Get ready, everyone! Let's assemble our armies and attack Edom!"
Obadiah�s prophecy does not deal with Israel or Judah. Edom or the Edomites are the descendents of Esau. Israel, formerly known as Jacob and Esau are brothers. Esau traded his birthright or blessing for stew, he let go of his spiritual blessing to meet a fleshly need.
Note: When Israel came out of Egypt and wanted to pass through the land of the Edomites to enter into the Promised Land, the Edomites wouldn�t let them (Numbers 20:14-21)
2 The Lord says, "I will cut you down to size among the nations, Edom; you will be small and despised. 3 You are proud because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. `Who can ever reach us way up here?' you ask boastfully. Don't fool yourselves! 4 Though you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Obadiah�s prophesy reveals God is not pleased with the pride of Edom. Edom was a small nation and poor in comparison to others, they prided themselves in dwelling in the clefts of mountains. It does not take riches to create pride. There are people who take satisfaction in living hard, poor, or rough.
Consider the people today who think it a badge of honor to keep it real and live ghetto. It is infuriating that these small-minded and selfish people imagine this is what it means to be �real Black people�. Sadly, not only are Blacks perpetuating this myth but now other ethnic groups are doing the same for profit.
God is not pleased. Black people and indeed all people dedicated to serving and worshipping God lead lives that praise and worship God. While we may have cultural practices or traditions none of these takes precedence over living by the precepts and truth of God. Holiness knows no colors or class.
*Many scriptures confirm that God detests and rejects pride.
These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19
The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:13
Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Pride causes us to become self-important, to believe we are essential to the operations of the living and the outcome of events. We cannot fully praise God when our heart is prideful because our focus is self. Pride is dangerous indeed pride is deadly.
5 "If thieves came at night and robbed you, they would not take everything. Those who harvest grapes always leave a few for the poor. But your enemies will wipe you out completely! 6 Every nook and cranny of Edom will be searched and looted. Every treasure will be found and taken.
God will not let anything be left in Edom. There will be no reason for them to be prideful. There will be no doubt that the devastation and destruction did not come by the hands of man.
There are times when our stiff-necked, arrogance will not allow us to listen or learn from anyone or anything and God must strip us down to nothing. Often people must hit rock bottom or go to the school of hard knocks before they learn to listen and obey. Some people never learn, these people lose everything including their eternal salvation.
7 "All your allies will turn against you. They will help to chase you from your land. They will promise you peace, while plotting your destruction. Your trusted friends will set traps for you, and you won't even know about it. 8 At that time not a single wise person will be left in the whole land of Edom!" says the Lord. "For on the mountains of Edom I will destroy everyone who has wisdom and understanding. 9 The mightiest warriors of Teman will be terrified, and everyone on the mountains of Edom will be cut down in the slaughter.
The Edomites boasted in their wisdom. The men of Edom - especially of the city Teman - were noted for their wisdom. The phrase men of the East in the Old Testament often refers to men from Edom, and passages like 1 Kings 4:30 declare the great wisdom of the men of the East. As well, Jeremiah 49:7 says of Edom: Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished? This was another source of pride for the Edomites.
Again, we must look at the condition of our community. How many of our young people are injured or killed by their own so-called friends or associates? These young people have taken pride in living the hard-life. In their confusion they arrogantly believe no one can reach them emotionally or physically. Yet, statistics show these young people are victims of themselves as they steal from one another, shoot and injure one another, and then turn on each other after supposedly reconciling and promising peace.
Often peace is promised or sealed over drinks and drugs. The bond of peace is soon broken and the very ones who supposedly were friends are now pursuing each other violently. Sadly, this violence spills over into the families and communities and leaves no one untouched. Yet, similar behavior is found in the church.
Our weapons and tactics may differ. However, we experience pride that causes us to fail to live according the example and expectation of Christ. Often we can find the most prideful people in the poorest ministries. In fact, some congregations take pride in never having any people, any purpose, or any plan for the future. These congregations are Edomites, they have traded their spiritual purpose to satisfy their fleshly pleasure.
Now they resent any congregation or ministry that seeks to grow in service to God. Moreover, these Edomites will seek to disrupt or weaken the worship of congregations and ministries dedicated to God. Just like the Edom of the scripture or people in the community, these ministry Edomites will declare peace while determining to destroy ministry endeavors.
Are you an Edomite?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Familiar Experiences Are Not Always Experiences of Faith?
Posts are the original thoughts and writings of Rev. Kelly Bates Oglesby
As I explore different worship experiences in the Christian faith, I encounter expressions of faith that while fresh they are indeed foreign to me. I am accustomed to worship experiences dynamic and engaging. Songs that resonate with history and promise of bright futures set to a rhythm that sways to drum beats, foot tapping, hand clapping, and punctuated with hallelujahs.
I have visited sanctuaries rich with architectural design and laden with symbolism. The quiet and reverent experience full of the realization that words fail us to identify, explain, or express God and godliness adequately. So believers join in awesome silence to meditate on God's greatness and our human frailty. The hymns ancient yet relevant as we sing praises to exalt God - God who never changes yet God who is doing a new thing.
In this period of exploration and self examination I have come to realize the experiences that are so familiar to me are not always faith-building. Some of those experiences as fond as I am of them, are simply habits and traditions that do nothing to ground me deeper in the Word of God. I can and have worshipped God without those trappings of emotional and historical ties. However, I have also learned that in order to grow in the faith I do not need to abandon all that is familiar and embrace what is foreign.
I must learn to filter everything I do through the Word of God. I must learn to allow the Holy Spirit to be my filter so that my experience and desires do not distort the Word of God to fit my self-designed goals. I must remember that as a believer I have accepted Jesus as LORD of my life and trust that His plan for my life is the best plan for my life.
Have you considered allowing God to lead you to worship?
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Isa 64:4 For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!
Jhn 4:23 But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way.
1Cr 2:9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."
As I explore different worship experiences in the Christian faith, I encounter expressions of faith that while fresh they are indeed foreign to me. I am accustomed to worship experiences dynamic and engaging. Songs that resonate with history and promise of bright futures set to a rhythm that sways to drum beats, foot tapping, hand clapping, and punctuated with hallelujahs.
I have visited sanctuaries rich with architectural design and laden with symbolism. The quiet and reverent experience full of the realization that words fail us to identify, explain, or express God and godliness adequately. So believers join in awesome silence to meditate on God's greatness and our human frailty. The hymns ancient yet relevant as we sing praises to exalt God - God who never changes yet God who is doing a new thing.
In this period of exploration and self examination I have come to realize the experiences that are so familiar to me are not always faith-building. Some of those experiences as fond as I am of them, are simply habits and traditions that do nothing to ground me deeper in the Word of God. I can and have worshipped God without those trappings of emotional and historical ties. However, I have also learned that in order to grow in the faith I do not need to abandon all that is familiar and embrace what is foreign.
I must learn to filter everything I do through the Word of God. I must learn to allow the Holy Spirit to be my filter so that my experience and desires do not distort the Word of God to fit my self-designed goals. I must remember that as a believer I have accepted Jesus as LORD of my life and trust that His plan for my life is the best plan for my life.
Have you considered allowing God to lead you to worship?
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Isa 64:4 For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!
Jhn 4:23 But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way.
1Cr 2:9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Have you considered...: Getting to know Jesus better?
Have you considered...: Getting to know Jesus better?: "Many of us are expecting, hoping, and proclaiming to walk in the abundance and favor of God in 2011. We are heady with high anticipation of..."
Getting to know Jesus better?
Many of us are expecting, hoping, and proclaiming to walk in the abundance and favor of God in 2011. We are heady with high anticipation of overflow blessings, open doors of opportunities, and unimaginable miracles. If it is the will of God, let it be.
Have you considered, getting to know Jesus better through committing yourself to participating in an organized Bible study in 2011. Committing yourself to 52 weeks of studying under an anointed and Holy Spirit led teacher in group of other believers. I am mean more than the scripture a day you get by text, email, or any other source. I mean committing to participating in a group Bible study fellowship no matter the weather or whatever else may try to distract you. Make the time to get to know Jesus better through the word and through committed Bible study fellowship.
Jhn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jhn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2Cr 1:20 For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Cr 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
As we come to know Jesus better, we better know what we are supposed to do with the abundant blessings we so desire. We understand how to live through the times that seem not to work out as we want. The knowledge we gain through learning the word of God is powerful to pull down the strongholds of sin and temptation in our lives. The word helps us to understand that as believers we are not stand around waiting on blessings to shower down us rather we are to be about sharing the gospel. We are to be about the business of making disciples for Jesus Christ. When we love the word enough to study it, pray it, live it, and share it...we are sharing Jesus. Get to know Jesus better so that it is easier to share your faith in the LORD of Lords and KING of Kings. After all He knows every hair on your head...what do you know about Jesus?
Have you considered, getting to know Jesus better through committing yourself to participating in an organized Bible study in 2011. Committing yourself to 52 weeks of studying under an anointed and Holy Spirit led teacher in group of other believers. I am mean more than the scripture a day you get by text, email, or any other source. I mean committing to participating in a group Bible study fellowship no matter the weather or whatever else may try to distract you. Make the time to get to know Jesus better through the word and through committed Bible study fellowship.
Jhn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jhn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2Cr 1:20 For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Cr 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
As we come to know Jesus better, we better know what we are supposed to do with the abundant blessings we so desire. We understand how to live through the times that seem not to work out as we want. The knowledge we gain through learning the word of God is powerful to pull down the strongholds of sin and temptation in our lives. The word helps us to understand that as believers we are not stand around waiting on blessings to shower down us rather we are to be about sharing the gospel. We are to be about the business of making disciples for Jesus Christ. When we love the word enough to study it, pray it, live it, and share it...we are sharing Jesus. Get to know Jesus better so that it is easier to share your faith in the LORD of Lords and KING of Kings. After all He knows every hair on your head...what do you know about Jesus?
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