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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 1992)
rh~u «*•*••» u ♦ ♦ 4 m A t » < • ✓ « ♦ < t » < < » r * ¿ O 9 « « * ’» v * » » * * # * * # * * * * 9 •♦ ■ •*♦ •' June J, 1992...The Portland O bserver-P age 7 i Portland Observer Scripture o f the w M i RELIGION M a tth e w , C h a p te r Insight on the Word: The Tragic End of a Nation BY MICHAEL LINDSEY Dean of North Portland Bible College This week I ’d like to use the ques- tion-and-answer approach to this les son. Those who know me can tel, you I prefer to answer questions whenever I teach, rather than just lecture or preach. I invented the questions, but I would welcome your comments or questions on the Bible at any time. Just w rite me c/o The Portland Observer. The Bible text fo r our Sunday School classes this Sunday w ill be taken fro m the little O ld Testament book ofObadiah, verses 1-4,10-11,15,17,21. W h a t are we doing in the book o f O badiah? W ell, we are beginning a new series o f studies in some o f the most ignored books o f the Bible, the “ M in o r Prophets.” Over the next seven weeks w e’ ll have the opportunity to dig into the prophecies o f Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. O kay, b u t w hy should we care a b o u t these obscure little books, tucked away between Daniel and M a t thew? The simplest answer may still be the best: these books have the clear mark o f the inspiration o f the H oly S p irit on them, and they are an essential part o f G od’ s message to humanity. These books (except Jonah) are strange country to most people, even to Christians and Jews, who recognize them as the W ord o f God. Part o f (hat is because we so seldom read them. And they are hard to understand today, be cause they refer to peoples and places and events w hich we may only vaguely remember from the B ib le ’ s books o f history. Do they s till have any relevance to us today? Very much so. The proph ets revealed the character o f Yahweh (the Lord God) through the covenant relationship he instituted with the people o f Israel. And God’ s character never changes: he is a righteous and holy God, so he w ill insist on righteousness in his people and he w ill judge and condemn evildoers. But he is also a God o f great mercy, ready to forgive and restore those who lum from their sins and surrender to his w ill. Okay, so what about Obadiah? We don’ t know much fo r sure about Obadiah. His name means “ Servant o f Yahweh (the Lord).” He has been dated by some scholars as the earliest o f the w ritin g prophets, but others Jhink he wrote about the time o f the fa ll o f Jerusalem, a contemporary o f Jeremiah. Obadiah’s prophecy is only one chapter long, making this the shortest book in the Old Testament. T hat’ s why references to Obadiah have only verse numbers; we w ouldn’t w rite Obadiah 1:15, fo r example. W h a t d id O badiah w rite about? Obadiah had only one message: the destruction o f the kingdom o f Edom. Edom was located in the dry desert lands south and east o f the Promised Land. They settled in the high c liffs east o f the Arabah (the R ift V alley), and b u ilt a beautiful capital city, Petra, out o f the rock o f M ount Seir. They were successful herdsmen, despite the harsh climate. And their home commanded the m a jo r trade ro u te s fro m Mesopotamia to Egypt and Arabia, so they were also w ell known as traders and (at times) as bandits. The people o f Edom claimed de scent from Esau, the brother o f Jacob. And Jacob was the ancestor o f the na tions o f Israel and Judah. So these na tions should have considered themselves brothers (note the language in verse 12). So w hy d id O badiah w an t to see them destroyed? He may have had his drove the Edomites out o f Seir and took all their land. The rest o f the Edomites, called Idumcans, settled in the southern fringe o f Judea (the Negev) just prior to the lime o f Christ. Herod the Great (Matthew 2) was an Idumcan, and under Roman patronage he ruled as King o f the Jews. B u ta f ter the fall o f Jerusalem, even these Idumeans disappeared from the pages o f history. W h a t does a ll th is mean fo r us today? There arc two main truths that Obadiah emphasized in his prophecy. First, Yahweh is in control o f the whole earth. There is only one God, and he is Lord over all. Though we should tolerate other religions, even those who worship other gods, that doesn’ t mean all re li gions are equally valid and true. There is a real Creator and Sustainer o f the earth, and he proves who he is through many means, including these prophecies about reasons, but that’ s not the point. No prophet spoke his own ideas on his own initiative, “ but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy S p irit” (2 Peter 1:21, N IV ). And the Lord had reasons to judge and condemn the nation o f Edom. The city o f Jerusalem had been under attack, and the nation Edom stood by and watched as their “ brother” Israel was being ransacked (verse 11), and even rejoiced in it (v 12). As i f that wasn’ t enough, they took advantage o f the situ ation to rob Jerusalem themselves (v 13), and they rounded up the fugitives o f the city and handed them over to Judah ’ s enemies (v 14). W hy d id Edom trea t Jerusalem this way? These two nations had been at odds for hundreds o f years, since the lime o f the Exodus. David had con quered Edom and added it to his king dom, but they rebelled from Solomon. From then on, Edom hated Israel and Judah, and did everything they could to hurt their larger neighbors. (Read more on this history in a Bible dictionary, under “ Edom.” ) W h a t was the L o rd ’ s predictions concerning Edom? In general, the Lord said that their defenses in the mountains would not protect them in the end (vv 3- 4). They would be betrayed by their allies (v 7). There would be no survivors . ofE dom on M ount Seir(v 18),and their beautiful cities and fortresses would be taken over by another nation, out o f the desert (v 19). Finally, the remnant o f Edom would be ruled from Jerusalem ( v the nations. How could Obadiah have forseen the fall o f Edom, unless Yahweh God had spoken through him , and had the power to fu lfill his judgment? Second, the Lord does judge all the nations according to their works (v 15). Every people stand in judgment for their deeds as a people, both now and in the Final “ day o f the Lord” (Matthew 25:31- 7 In Loving Memory of Anna Ruth Mosley September 7,1951 - May 12,1992 sister-in law: Anna Ruth M osley is the daughter o f Robert and Annie L . M osley. She was born Septem ber 7, 1951, in Carthage, M ississippi. Anna is the mother o f Robert L . M osley, I I I , and C hristop h er 1 .J. Mosley. Anna is the beloved sister o f Rob ert L . Mosley, Jr., Denise Parker, Aaron G. Mosley, Daphne L . M osley, and Heather R. Mosley. Anna grew up w ith her brothers and sisters, attended Highland Grade School and Jefferson H igh School in / Services were held at Emmanuel Temple P u ll Gospel Pentecostal Church 1032 N. Sumner Portland, Oregon M ay 20.1992 1:00 P.M. To A n n a , m y b e lo v e d Portland, Oregon. Anna had a great deal o f love to share and found favor w ith people. She was always w illin g to listen to your problems and o ffe r advice, and never burden you w ith hers. Anna was not selfish; she would give you her very last. Anna had problems o f her own but she kept them to herself. Jesus Loves You! All en Temple C M E C h urck 32). 21). D id these things come to pass? They sure did. A fter Edom had helped Babylon conquer Judah and Jerusalem, the Babylonian king turned on Edom ; and attacked them and weakened them. ! Later the Nabateans (an Arab people) Portland Observer encourages our readers to write letters, to the editor in response to any articles we publish; ■ ■ ■-....... ■ . ■ •--- Even the United States— and every people that live here— w ill stand in jud g ment before their Creator. And even now we sec signs o f judgment fa llin g on this nation, as a result o f our sins o f hatred, exploitation, materialistic greed, obsession with pleasure and lust, and others. As a nation, and as various ethnic groups w ithin this nation, we need to turn our hearts to God in true repentance, w hile there is s till lime. The tragedy which fell on Edom doesn’ t have to fall Psalm 34:3 4236 NE Eighth Avenue (corner of 8lft i Skidmore) Portland, Oregon 97211 (503) 287-0261 Phillip S. Nelson Pastor on us as well. For Best Results Advertise in the Observer PORTLAND OBSERVER ’77ie Eyes and Ears of the Community' Office: (503)288-0033 Fax#: (503)288-0015 Musical! Musical! Musical! Alma Whitney and the “A Gathering of Friends & Family Whitney Singers from Kansas City, Missouri During the month o f June we will be having special sevices fo r our families and friends. It is our hope that you can be a part o f this celebration. The Mighty Untouchables & Wilder Ward Juniors of Portland, Oregon FEATURING • • • • Life Changing Interviews. Drama Good Music Refreshments Sponsored by: Rev. Amos Harris Productions 3:00 pm - June 28, 1992 O.B. Williams Center - 220 N.E. Beech Donation: $8.00/at Door: $10.00 ALSO INTERESTING TOPICS 6-7-92 “Real Christianity Is...” 6-14-92 “Money Equals Success?” 6-21-92 “ Men & Women in the 1990s.” 6-28-92 “ Whats going on with our cities?” Proverbs Bible and Books 3008 NE Alberta - 282-7484 Tickets Availabel at: Pastor Mark Strong House of Sounds Records 3620 N. Williams - 287-1960 Sundays at 11:00 am Immanuel Free Methodist Church 311 N Ivy. (One block south fo Fremont, make a righ on Ivy.) e m i •• \ bhmì 1 . • •' Z ' • MT O livet BAPTIST CHURCH Has moved Sunday services to Stone Tower Church, N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 30th Worship Services 8:(X) a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Church School 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bible Study, Wednesdays, 116 N.E. Schuyler 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Radio Ministry each Sunday, 8:00 a.m. on KBMS A Teaching Church With A Reaching Ministry Dr. James E. Martin, Senior Pastor Church Office 116 N.E. Schuyler St. (503) 284-1954 » <v SRS fev 8 ___' •■.f-xdZx- < 1 M allory Avenue Christian Church D i s c i p l e s o f C h r i s t Matthew 7 h£S "Come to me all you w ho ore w eary and heavy laden and I w ill give you rest“ 9:45am 11:00am 7:30pm Sunday School Morning W orship Tuesday Bible Study and Prayer Inter-racial Congregation J ia p it s t (D ju r c lj 8101 N. Fiske Avenue Portland, Oregon 97203 Church Pho.ta: 2 » 9 -0 1 4 7 Sunday Service 10:45 Sunday School 9:30 Bible Study 6:00 Evening Service 7:00 P.M. G od's Presence prom ises Pouter through Jesus Christ In G o o d Times and Bad Times Denise R Bell. Postor Study Phono: 2 S 9 -1 9 , 1 Pastor. Rev. James CE. Faulkner Themes Whatever you're going to do for the Lord, do it now I Putor lv .1 1 126 N.€. Riberta t Portland, OR 97211 + (h03) 288-5173 1W M 9 A =1 Amos Harris at 281-3169 or call
