Copyright Cecilia Perh 2012 www etword org

Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 www. etword. org

What Obadiah Says About Edom’s Future Israel’s Future 15 the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations 15 As you have done, it will be done to you 15 Your dealings will return on your own head 16 as you drank on God’s holy mountain, all the nations will drink continually and swallow and become as if they had never existed 18 the house of Esau will be as stubble and be set on fire and consumed by the house of Jacob 18 there will be no survivor of the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken 19 the mountain of Esau will be possessed by those of the Negev 19 the Philistine plain will be possessed by those of the Shephelah 19 the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria will be possessed by those of the Shephelah 20 the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Will 16 Edom drank on Yahweh’s holy mountain 17 on Mount Zion there will be those who escape 17 Mount Zion will be holy 17 the house of Jacob will possess their possessions 18 the house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame to consume Edom 19 those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau 19 those of the Shephelah will possess the Philistine plain 19 they will possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria 19 Benjamin will possess Gilead 20 the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath will possess the cities of the Negev 29 the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev Copyright © Cecilia Perh 21 the deliverers will ascend Mount 2012 www. etword. org Zion

Edom’s Future Israel’s Future The Land of Edom • streams turned to pitch & earth to brimstone, land become burning pitch – not quenched night or day, smoke go up forever (Isa 34: 9 -10) • desolate from generation to generation (Isa 34: 10, 11; Jer 49: 20) everlasting desolation, • cities uninhabited (Ezek 35: 9, 13, 14); desolate wilderness (Joel 3: 19), mountains made desolate (Mal 1: 3) • none pass thro’ forever; no nobles or princes, no inhabitants (Isa 34: 10, 12; Jer 49: 18) • only thorns, nettles & thistles in its fortified towers & cities (Isa 34: 13) • possessed by pelican, hedgehog, owl & raven, haunt of jackels & ostriches, desert • creatures, wolves, hairy goat, night monster, tree snake, hawks (Isa 34: 11, 13 -15; Mal 1: 3) • Bozrah/Edom will be an object of horror, a reproach, a ruin & a curse, & all its cities • perpetual ruins (Jer 49: 13, 17), laid waste (Ezek 35: 4, 7) • mountains, hills, valleys & ravines filled with the slain by the sword (Ezek 35: 8) The Land of Israel • breaches walled up, ruins raised, rebuilt as of old (Am 9: 11) • mountains drip with sweet wine, hills flow with milk, & all the brooks of Judah will flow with water; & a spring will go out from the house of the LORD to water the valley of Shittim (Joel 3: 18) • • • The Edomites exalted themselves, conspired with her allies to wipe out Israel (Ps 83: 2 -8), to possess the pastures of God (Ps 83: 12) incurred guilt by taking vengeance against Judah (Ezek 25: 12) rejoiced at the destruction of Jerusalem (Ps 137: 7) to be ashamed, dismayed forever, humiliated & perish (Ps 83: 18) short-term deliverance from Assyria but followed quickly by Babylonian domination (Isa 21: 11 -12) the people devoted to destruction & slaughter (Isa 34: 5 -7); total destruction ( Jer 49: 9 -13, 17 -18, 20) man & beast cut off by sword (Ezek 25: 13 -14); loved bloodshed, therefore given over to bloodshed (Ezek 35: 6); their lifeblood sprinkled on the LORD’s garments, trodden down in His anger, made drunk in His wrath (Is 63: 2 -5; Lam 4: 21) iniquity will be punished & sins exposed (Lam 4: 22) consumed by fire (Am 1: 12) The Place of God in Their Midst • God’s enemies, hate God, against God (Ps 83: 2, 3, 5) • do not know God, but will know He is the Most High over all the earth in the day of their judgment (Ps 83: 18; Ezek 35: 4) • to be judged by the LORD in anger & wrath (Isa 63: 1 -6) • • The Israelites A star/scepter shall rise from Jacob/Israel to crush Edom/Seir (Num 24: 17 -18) carried off to exile by Babylon & taunted (Ps 137: 1 -3) punished for their iniquity (Lam 4: 22) One shall have dominion & destroy the remnant of Edom (Num 24: 19) her dispersed recovered from all over the world (Isa 11: 11 -12) peace established between Ephraim & Judah (Isa 11: 13) – no more jealousy or harassment they will swoop down & possess Edom (Isa 11: 14) fallen booth of David will be rebuilt & they will possess the remnant of Edom & all the nations (Am 9: 1112) The Place of God in Their Midst • dependent on God to vindicate them (Ps 83) • God’s people, His treasured ones (Ps 83: 3) Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 www. etword. org

There is a growing number of prophecy nation, that the name of Israel may be experts who believe that the next major remembered no more. ’ For they have war between the Israelis and their Middle consulted together with one consent; they East enemies will most likely be a regional form a confederacy against You: war, without superpower backing. I find “The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; myself in agreement with this position, Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, based upon Biblical insight, combined with and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of my active “daily eye” on the happenings in Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; Israel. they have helped the children of Lot. Deal These recent observations have with them as with Midian, as with Sisera, led me to conclude that the Gog and as with Jabin at the Brook Kishon, who Magog invasion – as prophesied in Ezekiel perished at En Dor, who became as refuse 38 and 39 with Russia as a key protagonist on the earth. Make their nobles like Oreb – is more likely connected to the final war and like Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah of Armageddon. Although there continue to and Zalmunna, who said, ‘Let us take for be various theories about the predicted ourselves the pastures of God for a Gog and Magog scenario, more and more possession. ’ people are beginning to agree with this “O my God, make them like the whirling conclusion. dust, like the chaff before the wind! As the Having said this, I invite you to fire burns the woods, and as the flame sets revisit, with me, Psalm 83, subtitled “A the mountains on fire, so pursue them with song. The psalm of Asaph, ” in this prose Your tempest, and frighten them with Your format from the King James Bible: storm. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD. Let them “Do not keep silent, O God! Do be confounded and dismayed forever; yes, not hold your peace, and do not be still, O let them be put to shame and perish, that God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted they may know that You, whose name Psalm 83: The Coming War? by Bill Koenig over alone is the LORD, are the Most High up their head. They have taken crafty all the earth. ” August counsel against Your people, and 15, 2001 (http: //watch. org) Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 consulted together the Word to the Faithful Entrusting against Your sheltered www. etword. org

Asaph begins his psalm by calling “The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; out to God to “not be quiet; do not be silent Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, and, O God, do not be still. ” The reason for Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the his concern is then revealed in the next inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined verses (two through five). This concern with them; They have become a help to the could easily be equated with the nations of children of Lot. ” today’s world, where the only nation who Bible scholars tell us that there is no has stood by Israel (although even that is evidence that such a regional war – uniting questionable) has been the United States. ten enemies to the north, east, south, and The oil-rich Arab nations have southeast of Israel – ever occurred in used their energy trump card to get their ancient times! The “Revised New Bible way against Israel with the Council on Commentary” (Eerdmans, 1970) states: Foreign Relations (CFR), the United “No such widespread alliance of adjacent Nations (U. N. ), the European Union (E. U. ) states, as is described in verses 6 -8 (of and even the United States-all of whom are Psalm 83) is mentioned in the Old dependent upon and lust after the black Testament. ” gold. It appears that this psalm is talking of a In the New International Version military alliance against Israel. The nations of the Bible, the translation reads, “See that surround Israel and other members of how your enemies are astir, how your foes the Arab League today talk with increasing raise their heads. With cunning, they frequency about “eliminating Israel. ” An conspire against your people; they plot actual military plan is being discussed in a against those you cherish. ‘Come, ’ they plot against the Kingdom of God. This say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, that alliance is very significant. the name of Israel be remembered no The plan could be an end-time scenario more. ’ With one mind, they plot together; against the Jewish State formed in 1948. they form an alliance Psalm 83: The Coming. All the present. Koenig against you. ” War? by Bill day descendants were These enemies that are targeting (http: //watch. org) August 15, 2001 involved in the 1948 and 1967 pre-planned Israel are their neighbors for the most part, assaults upon Israel. Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 as well as all other the Word to the Faithful Entrusting Arab nations. Asaph www. etword. org

Who Are These Enemies? Tyre was the leading city of Phoenicia in (The following is an adaptation from David early Bible times. This area is now part of Dolan’s “Israel’s Next War” commentary on Lebanon, who was involved in both the Psalm 83. It was written on 12/07/2000. ) Independence and Six-Day wars, although its military contribution was negligible. The first seven groups named in Psalm 83 Southern Lebanon has been the active battle line between Arabs and Jews since were all located east of Israel. They were the early 1970’s. tribes whose moving boundaries often The Philistines were believed to have overlapped. sailed from Canaan to the Greek island of The first two, Edom and the Crete, or from the Anatolian region of Ishmaelites, are synonymous today with western Turkey. Wherever they originated, the entire Arab-Muslim world. This is because both people groups are thought to iron-wielding Philistine warriors proved formidable enemies to the Hebrew tribes, have migrated further south into the but were eventually absorbed by attacking Arabian Peninsula – the seat of Islam. Moreover, Ishmael is a significant figure in Assyrian forces and disappeared as a separate people group. Islamic theology. So in modern terms, Philistia was resurrected by the Romans, these names could be referring to Saudi Arabia, which backed front-line Arab forces who applied that name to the Promised in 1948 and 1967, and/or to the entire Arab Land in an attempt to obliterate the Jewish -Muslim world that stretches from Morocco connection to Zion. This occurred after the Roman legions destroyed Judea in AD 70. to Oman. The main Philistine town was named Gaza, Moab was located east of the which today is the current seat of the Dead Sea, with Edom to its south and Palestinian autonomy government, while Ammon to the north. The other listed the Gaza Strip is home to over one million eastern tribes – the Hagrites, Gebal and Palestinians. This fact gives us a Amalek – mingled in this area. The name Psalm is with. The Coming War? by equivalent of the hint that 83: us today. It is they are today’s Bill Koenig ancient Ammon, of course, Philistines. The very name “Palestinians” is August 15, the capital of Jordan (typically spelled 2001 (http: //watch. org) Philistines. Entrusting the Word to the Faithful Amman in English). Jordan played a pivotal likely derived from the ancient Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 www. etword. org

Palestinian Arabs were at the Today, Iraq is a much more dominant center of the wars that broke out in 1948 force in the region and is more of an and 1967. If their leaders had accepted the instigator than a support vehicle. Syria, 1947 United Nations partition plan, the according to Jane’s Intelligence Report, neighboring Arab states would have found has the most advanced chemical weapons it difficult to attack the new Jewish State. in the world. Jordan does not really have Since that time, however, Palestinian an effective military machine and will play struggles have offered a major excuse for more of a support role, if pushed. Their other Arab states and the Islamic peoples challenge lies in their location next to both to come against the reborn and Syria and Iraq. enormously productive State of Israel. A Familiar Scenario The last nation mentioned is the In summary, the nations where the ten Assyrian empire, which acts as “a help to ancient people groups and tribes the children of Lot. ” The Biblical Hebrew states that Assyria became an extension of mentioned in Psalm 83 live today, are Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lot’s descendants and covered the and the Palestinian territories within Israel. enormous territory of several modern countries, ranging from western Iran, to As the Middle East tensions increase parts of Turkey, most of Syria, and even daily, how often do we hear spokesmen down to portions of Egypt’s Nile River. Although it was centered in what is known from these countries saying, in so many words, “Let us take the pastures of God for today as Iraq, the capital of Assyria was Nineveh, situated on the banks of the Tigris a possession. ” (Psalm 83: 12) River. To them, Asaph would answer, “Let Iraq played a very active role in them be confounded and dismayed both the 1948 and 1967 Middle East wars. forever; yes, let them be put to shame and However, it was mainly a support role, with perish, that they may know that You, Psalm up those of Coming War? by Bill Koenig Iraqi forces backing 83: The. Jordan and whose name alone is the LORD, are the Syria. In that sense, Assyria’s modern 2001 (http: //watch. org) August 15, equivalent was literally acting asto“helpful Most High over all the earth. ” (Psalm 83: 17 Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 Entrusting the Word a the Faithful www. etword. org -18)

Obadiah 1 -14 Judgment Pronounced on Edom, The Ruin and Sack of Edom, Nations Destroy Edom, Destruction of Edom (v 1 -9) The Extent of God’s Judgment v 1 The Nations gather against Edom for Battle 1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom – Nations Conspire Against Edom We have heard a report from the LORD, Edom Greatly Despised by the Nations And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, “Arise and let us go against her for battle” – v 2 -9 The LORD’s Decrees against Edom 2 “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; The Result of God’s Judgment You are greatly despised. 3 The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, You who live in the clefts of the rock, Edom’s In the loftiness of your dwelling place, Dwelling Place The Sins of Edom Who say in your heart, Arrogance, Pride in the Heart ‘Who will bring me down to earth? ’ 4 Though you build high like the eagle, Though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down, ” declares the LORD. The Certainty of God’s Judgment 5 Illustration #1 “If thieves came to you, If robbers by night – The Prophet’s Lament for Edom O how you will be ruined! – Would they not steal only until they had enough? If grape gatherers came to you, Illustration #2 Would they not leave some gleanings? 6 O how Esau will be ransacked, And his hidden treasures searched out! 7 All the men allied with you Will send you forth to the border, The Blindness of Edom And the men at peace with you Will deceive you and overpower you. Deceived, Lacking Understanding They who eat your bread Will set an ambush for you. (There is no understanding in him. ) 8 Will I not on that day, ” declares the LORD, “Destroy wise men from Edom And understanding from the mountain of Esau? 9 Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, In order that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter. Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 www. etword. org

Reasons for Judgment, Warnings for Edom, Edom Despises Israel, Destruction of Israel (10 -14) v 10 -11 Edom’s Past Dealings with Israel 10 “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered with shame, And you will be cut off forever. The LORD’s Recompense 11 On the day that you stood aloof, On the day that strangers carried off his wealth, And foreigners entered his gate And cast lots for Jerusalem – You too were as one of them. v 12 -14 Edom’s Future Dealings with Israel (Forewarned) 12 Do not gloat over your brother's day, The day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah In the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast In the day of their distress. 13 Do not enter the gate of My people In the day of their disaster. Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity In the day of their disaster. And do not loot their wealth In the day of their disaster. 14 And do not stand at the fork of the road To cut down their fugitives; And do not imprison their survivors In the day of their distress. Incidents in the Day of the LORD for Israel • violence done • brothers stood aloof • strangers carried off wealth • foreigners entered gate • foreigners cast lots for Jerusalem The Day of the LORD for Israel • your brother’s day • the day of misfortune • the day of destruction • the day of distress (2 x) • the day of disaster (3 x) What Edom Will Do Despite Being Forewarned • gloat over Jacob’s day, his calamity (2 x) • rejoice over Judah’s destruction • boast in their distress • enter Jerusalem • loot their wealth • stand at the fork of road to cut down fugitives • imprison their survivors Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 www. etword. org

v 15 -21 The Day of the LORD for The Nations, Edom Dispossessed by Israel, Dispossessions of Edom & the Nations, The LORD Punishes All the Nations v 15 -16 The Fate of the Nations in the Day of the LORD 15 “For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. The Day of the LORD for As you have done, The Principle the Nations it will be done to you. of Retribution • will become as if they Your dealings will return on your own head. in the Day of never existed 16 Because the LORD • the Philistine plain will just as you drank on My holy mountain, be dispossessed All the nations will drink continually. The Day of the LORD for Edom They will drink and swallow, • will become as if he never existed And become as if they had never existed. • will be consumed • no survivor left of the house of Esau 17 But on Mount Zion • dispossessed of the mountain of Esau there will be those who escape, • judged on Mt Zion by deliverers And it will be holy. The Future Day of the LORD for Israel • those on Mt Zion will escape And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions. • Mt Zion will be holy 18 • house of Jacob will possess their possessions Then the house of Jacob will be a fire • house of Jacob & house of Joseph will And the house of Joseph a flame; consume the house of Esau But the house of Esau will be as stubble. • the land of Israel will be repossessed by the And they will set them on fire and consume them, exiles of the sons of Israel • deliverers will ascent Mt Zion to judge Esau So that • the Kingdom will be the LORD’s there will be no survivor of the house of Esau, ” For the LORD has spoken. 19 Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau, And those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain; Shephelah, foothills or lowlands between the sea & the highlands, district of rolling hills, very fruitful; Also, they will possess the territory of Ephraim crossed by 5 wide valleys furnishing easy access from the plain to Judah & Jerusalem. Point of contention between Israel & the Philistines and the territory of Samaria, Sanaria, designation of Northern Israel under Jeroboam And Benjamin will possess Gilead, mountainous region East of Jordan 20 And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, Sepharad, either Spain or Media or Hesperides in Libya or Sardis in Asia Minor And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Negev, pastoral land of sparse & scanty springs & small rainfall but with plentiful grazing for the coast to the West Will possess the cities of the Negev. camels & goats; land of the nomad. Great routes pass alongfor Judah in the Southor up the Arabah to the East. It formed an additional secure barrier 21 The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion To judge the mountain of Esau, And the kingdom will be the LORD's. Copyright © Cecilia Perh 2012 www. etword. org