Today you should read: Obadiah 1:15-21
Pride. Materialism. Violence. These are just a few of the many grievances that the LORD had against the nation of Edom. Beginning with Jacob’s deception of Esau (also called Edom) in Genesis 27, the nation of Edom had long been a thorn in the side of the children of Israel. This goes far beyond your typical sibling rivalry; there was hatred between these two brother nations. Edom was a prideful and haughty nation (Oba. 1:3-4, 12), they were ceaselessly belligerent against Israel (Oba. 1:10) and Israel was often a victim of their complacency and apathy (Oba. 1:11).
If any nation was sighing with relief that the LORD’s quarrel was only with Edom, then verses 15-16 offer a rude awakening. “The day of the LORD is near for all nations.”
For every command that was broken, for every idol that was worshipped, for every misdeed done against the chosen nation of Israel; the LORD promises that all nations will drink from the wrath of God. They will be as if they never were; completely destroyed at the hand of God’s holy judgment.
No one is exempt.
All are guilty.
Do you see the despair? The hopelessness? All nations will be judged according to their own actions, and not one of them will be able to stand under the holiness of God.
But don’t close the book just yet. Keep reading. Deliverance has also been promised. In verse 17, the LORD promises that deliverance is coming from Mount Zion. It will be holy, and those whom God has chosen will be the beneficiaries of an inheritance from outside themselves; an inheritance that is eternal. Out of the same nation that had been under a curse for centuries, One is coming who will bring complete restoration to the nation of Israel. The nation of Esau will be consumed by the fire of the house of Jacob and not one survivor will remain (v. 18). This Savior, the Messiah, will establish his Kingdom and its borders will expand to the north, south, east and west (vs. 19-20). The LORD will raise deliverers from Mount Zion to govern the land of Esau and they will help rule the restored kingdom. This Kingdom will be the LORD’s, and his reign will never end (21).
APPLICATION:
There are two very different nations described in this short book with two very different outcomes. There are two questions that we must ask ourselves in response to this passage:
1) To which nation do I belong? Do I remain under the wrath of God or do I belong to the Kingdom of Christ; having trusted in the promised Savior, the Son of God?
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). If you have not come to a relationship with God through Christ, PLEASE turn from your sin; leave the nation of despair and hopelessness and trust in Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. He has drunk the cup of God’s wrath and paid the penalty for our sin. The day of the LORD is near and any other way will only lead to destruction. Will you follow Him?
2) Do I trust in the coming Kingdom of Christ? In other words, am I living with eternity in mind? Am I hoping in the deliverance and restoration that is coming with Christ’s return? Do I trust that one day, all things will be made new (Revelation 21:5) and I will live for eternity in His glorious Kingdom? Am I telling others of this salvation; the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Put your trust in the Christ; the ruler of the coming Kingdom. With Him, there is hope, deliverance and restoration.
Posted by: Guest Post by Adam Mabe, High School Ministries Intern
JumpstartCPC.com 
Great post, Adam!
Great job Adam!
Great post, sweetie!
I agree with Joan, Tim, and Brooke: Adam, Great Post!!!