Israelites, sheep and faith

 Psalm 95:1–11 (ESV): 

95 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; 

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 

 2  Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; 

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 

 3  For the Lord is a great God, 

and a great King above all gods. 

 4  In his hand are the depths of the earth; 

the heights of the mountains are his also. 

 5  The sea is his, for he made it, 

and his hands formed the dry land. 

 6  Oh come, let us worship and bow down; 

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! 

 7  For he is our God, 

and we are the people of his pasture, 

and the sheep of his hand. 

  Today, if you hear his voice, 

 8  do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, 

as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, 

 9  when your fathers put me to the test 

and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. 

 10  For forty years I loathed that generation 

and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, 

and they have not known my ways.” 

 11  Therefore I swore in my wrath, 

“They shall not enter my rest.” 

At the beginning of the psalm you may notice the repetition of the phrase ‘let us’. Yet this is not used to ask for permission to do something, but rather the Israelites are encouraging one another TO do something. They are calling each other to worship God. Reminding one another that God is Lord, He is Saviour and He is worthy to be thanked and praised because, ‘the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods’. There is no-one and nothing like Him. He is supreme. He alone created the deepest and highest parts of the world, no-one else has. He also made the seas and the land, all the expanse that we see, and that we do not - God crafted it all. Therefore how can any other power or person ever have authority over Him?! He is ‘a great King above all gods’. Other things may claim power, seem great, make great boasts or be assertive and convincing, but none can even stand before the great King of all. It is good for us to remind ourselves of this. and to encourage one another to worship the One who deserves it. It is easy to lose focus, get distracted or feel down about circumstances and so not feel like worshipping. At times you need other godly men and women to call you to worship to say to you, ‘let us sing’, ‘let us make a joyful noise’, ‘let us come into his presence’, and you need to do this for others too.. There is no reason great enough for you to withhold worship to ‘the Lord, our Maker!’. Who keeps you to account and keeps calling you to worship God? ’the Lord is a great God’ all of the time therefore you can sing, dance, pray, praise and be joyful always because that truth always remains. The fact the God is great is so powerful and strong a truth, that when you really think about it you cannot help but ‘make a joyful noise’!

God is the Maker, He not only made all of the Earth, but he also made you. Therefore He is THE God and He is YOUR God - the only One in supreme authority, plus He makes it personal, He is your God, for you and with you plus you can have relationship with Him. Yet the relationship is not equal - He is your shepherd for you are like a sheep before Him - helpless, fluffy and vulnerable. You need looking after, guiding, carrying, and even telling off sometimes. Do not be like the Israelites by becoming stubborn and hardening your heart (v8). You are vulnerable and weak before God, you do need Him. Do you allow God to guide, correct and carry you? Or are you too intent on doing things your own way? You were never meant to sort all your problems out or make all the decisions independently. A sheep that does that wanders off, gets lost and injured - they don't even know where the best grass is or where the dangers are, that's why they need the shepherd. The Israelites kept forgetting that they were sheep. God provided and guided them, and He urged them to be obedient, but they did not adhere to His words in the big or small things. Instead God says they hardened their hearts and went, ‘astray in their heart’. They didn’t do what they were told, they didn't follow their shepherd. Can the same be said of you? When you hear God’s voice, do you listen and obey, even when it is something you don’t want to hear? Or do you allow your heart to go astray as the Israelites did when they encountered testing times? 

Two notable times that we can see that happening are in Meribah and Massah. These were areas that the Israelites came to during their 40 years in the wilderness where they felt they were not adequately provided for by God as they had no water. This is a big problem. Humans cannot survive more than a couple of days without water. Plus they had cattle to care for, so they were rightly concerned about this. Their response was that they moaned at each other and complained that they had been better off in Egypt. They feared for their lives because they did not have the basics for survival. When that happens it is natural to be concerned and to try to find a solution as something essential is missing from your life. However, the Israelites did not seek their shepherd. They did not trust Him or turn to Him. Instead they complained to one another, then blamed Moses as their earthly leader. The Israelites did not pray. They did not seek God. They did not worship. Instead they moaned to one another about their situation, becoming increasingly fearful that they would all die. When Moses heard about it, he and Aaron approached God. This was their first response, unlike the people, Moses and Aaron demonstrated great leadership and loyalty to their shepherd and ‘great King’. They trusted that even when death stared at them, God could do something. So they prayed, and at both Massah and Meribah, they witnessed God’s miraculous solution as water gushed forth from a rock! These separate situations occurred almost 40 years apart. So we can see that God was giving the Israelites the chance to learn from their previous mistake and lack of faith. He was inviting them to have a different response, but they didn’t. Despite the amount of times that God had healed them, won their battles, guided them with fire and smoke, stopped their shoes from wearing out and provided manna for them each and every day. Despite these miracles, these proofs of God’s power and presence, the people failed to appreciate that God could fulfil every need. They still did not trust Him or surrender to Him. They failed to comprehend that God can do anything, you just need to ask! The Israelites happily accepted God’s daily blessings but seem to see them as something they had a right to, rather than seeing them as a beautiful expression of His love and care for them. Even though they had a lot to be thankful for, and a history of God’s provision and power, their response to this lack of water the second time demonstrated their lack of faith and trust in God. They had not learnt, they had not allowed the mighty miracles and the everyday blessings from God to influence their hearts or faith. The Israelites made the same mistakes and made the same complaints previous generations had. Yet God still provided. Two men had enough faith to approach God, Moses and Aaron. They talked with Him, and God provided, again, miraculously. God acted for the whole nation on the faith of two. Do not underestimate the power of prayer because it does not depend on who is praying, but on the One who hears!

God says of the nation of Israel, ‘They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways’. It was easy for them to enjoy the benefits of the safety and care that God gave on a physical level, but they did not have the internal security, confidence and joy of knowing God as their King and Saviour. On the surface they accepted that they were God’s people as part of Israel, but internally their thoughts, desires and mindset were not aligned with God and did not demonstrate any allegiance to Him. When times got tough they did not talk to Him about it. They did not trust that as He is Maker, King and Lord that He could and would do something about their troubles. They just complained. Are you the same? Do you follow God out of habit, duty, or because others do? The fruit of faith is seen when you encounter difficulty. What do you do when life gets hard? When people let you down, disaster occurs, or something life threatening happens, what is your first response? For that shows if you are a sheep faithfully trusting in your shepherd or not. Do you call out to God, let Him know what has occurred and invite Him to show up and change things, or do you go around moaning to whoever will listen? You could approach God, recalling that God has been great before, and trusting that He still is and will be again. This is what Moses and Aaron did unlike the rest of the nation. The people had not really given their lives to God, they only wanted Him to give them what they wanted. Yet they were not obedient, trusting or loving towards Him. Only Moses and Aaron trusted God. When there was a problem, they knew who to go to. They knew there was only One who could solve any issue and bring transformation, the ‘great King above all gods’. So they went straight to Him, and they were involved in some great signs, wonders and miracles because they were all in, are you?

O God; let your face shine

 Psalm 80:1–19 (ESV):  

1  Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, 

you who lead Joseph like a flock. 

 You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. 

 2  Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, 

  stir up your might 

and come to save us! 

 3  Restore us, O God; 

let your face shine, that we may be saved! 

 4  O Lord God of hosts, 

how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? 

 5  You have fed them with the bread of tears 

and given them tears to drink in full measure. 

 6  You make us an object of contention for our neighbours, 

and our enemies laugh among themselves. 

 7  Restore us, O God of hosts; 

let your face shine, that we may be saved! 

 8  You brought a vine out of Egypt; 

you drove out the nations and planted it. 

 9  You cleared the ground for it; 

it took deep root and filled the land. 

 10  The mountains were covered with its shade, 

the mighty cedars with its branches. 

 11  It sent out its branches to the sea 

and its shoots to the River. 

 12  Why then have you broken down its walls, 

so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? 

 13  The boar from the forest ravages it, 

and all that move in the field feed on it. 

 14  Turn again, O God of hosts! 

Look down from heaven, and see; 

  have regard for this vine, 

 15  the stock that your right hand planted, 

and for the son whom you made strong for yourself. 

 16  They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; 

may they perish at the rebuke of your face! 

 17  But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, 

the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! 

 18  Then we shall not turn back from you; 

give us life, and we will call upon your name! 

 19  Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! 

Let your face shine, that we may be saved! 

Have you ever considered the power of God’s face? Just His face?! The people of Israel here are calling for God to, ‘let your face shine, that we may be saved’! God’s ability to transform a situation just needs Him to turn and look at it. He doesn’t need to speak or show mighty powerful works, he can just look - isn’t that incredible! 

In this psalm we see that people of Israel realised that they needed God’s attention, for Him to glance at them so that their situation would change. This is why they repeatedly ask for His face to shine upon them. They understood the glorious goodness of having God’s gaze upon them. Having his attention makes a difference. The people knew that if God turned towards them they would recognise His beauty, power and holiness and that would change and transform their trouble into triumph. 

Sometimes, like the Israelites, we can feel abandoned, worthless, limited and feeble like a weedy vine (v8), but when God looks at it, it it can become deep rooted and fill the land (v9-11). This is the kind of transformation that occurs when God’s face shines towards us. Weakness becomes strength, despair turns to hope and degradation is exchanged for being lifted up. God's people knew this because they had heard the stories of the past, so they repeatedly asked God to turn towards them. To look, see and shine upon them, and they trusted that He would. When you call God’s attention to an issue and keep doing so, what do you expect to happen?

The Israelites did not ask for specifics, but they trusted that God would know what to do if He would only look at them. So this was their simple request - that God would come come and look. Just asking for God’s gaze upon the things that are troubling you bring a different perspective, and with God involved, who knows what the glorious solution will be?! Can you imagine the shining face of God looking at the things you are concerned about?

When i think about God’s face shining, it reminds me of Moses. The Israelites would have been familiar with the fact that when he spoke with God, Moses face shone. Yet Moses was just a human that caught something of the glory of God by being in His presence. Yet even Moses shining face was so blindingly powerful and terrifying that the people asked him to wear a veil so they felt more comfortable approaching and looking at him (Exodus 34:29-35). Moses was just a man. One who was privileged to speak with God, and the result was that he left God’s presence reflecting something of the glory of God. This human reflection was incredible, powerful and terrifying. So can you imagine how bright and glorious the actual face of God is?! This is the face that the Israelites in this psalm request to look at them. They want to see His glory, beauty, purity and blessing. So they ask for God to ‘look…see…have regard’ (v14) and ‘let your face shine’. The Israelites clearly understood the holiness, glory and power of God’s gaze. Do you?

Which situations would you like God to take a look at? Why not ask God to ‘let your face shine’ upon those and see what happens. Having God’s perspective can transform what is going on, for it will bring His glory, beauty and majesty. The psalm ends, ‘Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!’. I wonder what you would see and what salvation and restoration would come if you ask God to let His face shine in your life.

How far does your thanksgiving go?

 Psalm 79:1–13 (ESV):  

1  O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; 

they have defiled your holy temple; 

they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 

 2  They have given the bodies of your servants 

to the birds of the heavens for food, 

the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. 

 3  They have poured out their blood like water 

all around Jerusalem, 

and there was no one to bury them. 

 4  We have become a taunt to our neighbours, 

mocked and derided by those around us. 

 5  How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? 

Will your jealousy burn like fire? 

 6  Pour out your anger on the nations 

that do not know you, 

 and on the kingdoms 

that do not call upon your name! 

 7  For they have devoured Jacob 

and laid waste his habitation. 

 8  Do not remember against us our former iniquities; 

let your compassion come speedily to meet us, 

for we are brought very low. 

 9  Help us, O God of our salvation, 

for the glory of your name; 

deliver us, and atone for our sins, 

for your name’s sake! 

 10  Why should the nations say, 

“Where is their God?” 

  Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants 

be known among the nations before our eyes! 

 11  Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; 

according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die! 

 12  Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbours 

the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord! 

 13  But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, 

will give thanks to you forever; 

from generation to generation we will recount your praise. 

Can you imagine such devastation? Those who have lived through wars may be able to empathise and understand something of what Asaph saw and experienced. Utter devastation, disgust and despair. Seeing not only your country overrun, but the holy place of God’s dwelling destroyed and the people desperate and dying through violence and neglect, their bodies even eaten by creatures. The sights, the smells surrounding those that remained alive. Living day by day in terror. It is difficult and horrific to imagine. The country of Israel was invaded and defeated, ruined and derided by ‘the nations’. Every person in the country suffered - the faithful and unfaithful, young and old, man and woman went through this trauma. Not only physical suffering but the emotional abuse of being derided and mocked is added to the Israelite’s plight.

Can you imagine suffering in such a way? Let alone suffering in such a way and still giving thanks to, honouring, loving and following God throughout? Asaph does. He describes the situation, and cries out to God for relief, release and restoration of God’s people. Then he exclaims, ‘But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever’. Wow! Amidst the taunts, grief and hardship Asaph and the people with him are still grateful. Are you?

Asaph grasped something of the greatness, mightiness, constancy and majesty of God. He knows God is good and glorious, so much so that he continues to see it even in the midst of desecration, desolation and destruction. Just because the situation is awful, it doesn’t change the nature of God. Asaph understood that God is forever good, and He always loves His people. Therefore Asaph set his mind to seek and worship Him. Asaph acknowledged that God is compassionate and powerful. He is salvation, and remains the Shepherd of Israel no matter where they are, what they have done or are going through. Even though the situation of the nation was shocking, Asaph and the Israelites acknowledged God’s goodness and expressed gratitude to Him. 

God is always worthy of praise. He remains glorious, good and great, loving and protective, strong and compassionate no matter what is happening. In a changing and demoralising world, God is faithful and constant in His love and compassion. Therefore He is worthy of praise no matter what. If the Israelites can 'recount your (God's) praise' forever during the invasion of their territory and the degradation of their people, How much more do you have to be grateful for? 

How far does your thanksgiving go? Will you 'give thanks to you  (God) forever' no matter what you face?

Remember

Psalm 78:35–72 (ESV): 

35  They remembered that God was their rock, 

the Most High God their redeemer. 

 36  But they flattered him with their mouths; 

they lied to him with their tongues. 

 37  Their heart was not steadfast toward him; 

they were not faithful to his covenant. 

 38  Yet he, being compassionate, 

atoned for their iniquity 

and did not destroy them; 

  he restrained his anger often 

and did not stir up all his wrath. 

 39  He remembered that they were but flesh, 

a wind that passes and comes not again. 

 40  How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness 

and grieved him in the desert! 

 41  They tested God again and again 

and provoked the Holy One of Israel. 

 42  They did not remember his power 

or the day when he redeemed them from the foe, 

 43  when he performed his signs in Egypt 

and his marvels in the fields of Zoan. 

 44  He turned their rivers to blood, 

so that they could not drink of their streams. 

 45  He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, 

and frogs, which destroyed them. 

 46  He gave their crops to the destroying locust 

and the fruit of their labor to the locust. 

 47  He destroyed their vines with hail 

and their sycamores with frost. 

 48  He gave over their cattle to the hail 

and their flocks to thunderbolts. 

 49  He let loose on them his burning anger, 

wrath, indignation, and distress, 

a company of destroying angels. 

 50  He made a path for his anger; 

he did not spare them from death, 

but gave their lives over to the plague. 

 51  He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, 

the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham. 

 52  Then he led out his people like sheep 

and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 

 53  He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, 

but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 

 54  And he brought them to his holy land, 

to the mountain which his right hand had won. 

 55  He drove out nations before them; 

he apportioned them for a possession 

and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. 

 56  Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God 

and did not keep his testimonies, 

 57  but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; 

they twisted like a deceitful bow. 

 58  For they provoked him to anger with their high places; 

they moved him to jealousy with their idols. 

 59  When God heard, he was full of wrath, 

and he utterly rejected Israel. 

 60  He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, 

the tent where he dwelt among mankind, 

 61  and delivered his power to captivity, 

his glory to the hand of the foe. 

 62  He gave his people over to the sword 

and vented his wrath on his heritage. 

 63  Fire devoured their young men, 

and their young women had no marriage song. 

 64  Their priests fell by the sword, 

and their widows made no lamentation. 

 65  Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, 

like a strong man shouting because of wine. 

 66  And he put his adversaries to rout; 

he put them to everlasting shame. 

 67  He rejected the tent of Joseph; 

he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, 

 68  but he chose the tribe of Judah, 

Mount Zion, which he loves. 

 69  He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, 

like the earth, which he has founded forever. 

 70  He chose David his servant 

and took him from the sheepfolds; 

 71  from following the nursing ewes he brought him 

to shepherd Jacob his people, 

Israel his inheritance. 

 72  With upright heart he shepherded them 

and guided them with his skilful hand. 

Humanity is fickle. God is not.

That is what these verses show - People’s ideas, behaviours, views and values change. Culture adapts and tells itself it is progressive, yet, ‘What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun’ (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The reality is, your ideas, lifestyle and choices are nothing that the world hasn’t already seen. People have been getting it right and getting it wrong for millennia. Humanity changes their values and beliefs based on what suits them at the time. This has been shown throughout history including in the Biblical historical accounts as summarised in this psalm. There have been times when God is appreciated and remembered then centuries where he has been forgotten and ignored. Each generation is the same, they have times when they follow their forefathers transgressions, and they have times when they consider God. 

Asaph is reminding the people that even God’s very own, selected and set apart people, make choices to live with Him or without Him (v35-37). Every generation has this same fundamental issue - choosing to live God’s way or their own. Even the people who would say they believe in God, through disobedience and ingratitude go astray. Why? Because, ‘They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe.’ You end up far from God when you forget. 

It is easy to do as life goes on and different events happen, the memories of victory, breakthrough, healing and miracles wane as everyday life continues. People forget how awesome God is and do not remind themselves of His redemption, great love and incredible works. Instead, just getting on with life and having other things to remember can make remembering God's greatness and marvellous works less of a priority. What do you remember God doing? What prayers have you had answered? How have you seen God move and breakthrough in this current time or in the past? Make the effort to remember. It will build your faith, expectations and prayer life as well as your joy in your current pattern of life. Plus if you do not remember, it is easy to forget and you can easily be led into astray. Into ways and practices that lead you away from God, into sin and disobedience. 

The Israelites in the situations described in this psalm did not just wake up one day and decide to go away from God. It was a gradual process, maybe from not reading The Word, not praying as much, not sharing testimonies, not gathering together to worship, basically allowing other things to take priority in life other than God. It is easy to gradually slide away from God and get distracted when you do not set your mind to remember His goodness. Not remembering means you forget how great God really is and you fail to see the love, power and salvation available to you. This is what happened with the Israelites. Time and again they failed to remember which resulted in them doing what they wanted, getting involved with the cultural practices of others, sinning. They walked away from God which meant they incurred the wrath of God (v40, 49-50, 58-59) and had to experience life without His protection  

This is what can happen when you fail to remember. When you forget the enormous and gracious things God has done, you lose focus and end up gradually moving away from honouring and loving God in the way you live your life. So, God lets you get on with it. God loves you so much He lets you choose how to live your life, He wants your love, faithfulness and obedience, but He lets you make the choice. God also loves you so much that He gives you access to many different people's experiences of living life both with and without Him so that you know what is best for you. He has made it clear that if you opt to live life dishonouring Him then this means you'll be without His love and protection. 

Alternatively you can live a life set on remembering who God is and His works. This psalm not only shows the result of forgetting God's greatness, but also shows God’s forgiving nature. Time and again He welcomes the people of Israel back when they turn to Him. God forgives sin and restores people and nations when they approach Him. His faithfulness is secure and reliable.This psalm shows how God reconciles the Israelites to Himself again and again. He can do that for you too. When you repent, seek His forgiveness and recognise that He is, The Most High'.  He will restore you, love you and protect you. 

So, set your mind to honour and obey Him and 'forget not all His benefits' (Psalm 103:2)

Living as a community

Psalm 74:1–23 (ESV):  

1  O God, why do you cast us off forever? 

Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? 

2  Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, 

which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! 

Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. 

3  Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; 

the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! 

4  Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place; 

they set up their own signs for signs. 

5  They were like those who swing axes 

in a forest of trees. 

6  And all its carved wood 

they broke down with hatchets and hammers. 

7  They set your sanctuary on fire; 

they profaned the dwelling place of your name, 

bringing it down to the ground. 

8  They said to themselves, “We will utterly subdue them”; 

they burned all the meeting places of God in the land. 

9  We do not see our signs; 

there is no longer any prophet, 

and there is none among us who knows how long. 

10  How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? 

Is the enemy to revile your name forever? 

11  Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? 

Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them! 

12  Yet God my King is from of old, 

working salvation in the midst of the earth. 

13  You divided the sea by your might; 

you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters. 

14  You crushed the heads of Leviathan; 

you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. 

15  You split open springs and brooks; 

you dried up ever-flowing streams. 

16  Yours is the day, yours also the night; 

you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. 

17  You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; 

you have made summer and winter. 

18  Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, 

and a foolish people reviles your name. 

19  Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; 

do not forget the life of your poor forever. 

20  Have regard for the covenant, 

for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. 

21  Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; 

let the poor and needy praise your name. 

22  Arise, O God, defend your cause; 

remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day! 

23  Do not forget the clamour of your foes, 

the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually! 

Sometimes, God’s people are focusses for anger, deprivation and persecution. We can see that in the amount of times they were exiled in the Old Testament, plus the spread of the gospel in the New Testament was largely due to the persecution of God’s people. The same is true today. It can seem like God forgets, abandons and ignores His people. The people of God experience unfair treatment at times, they are hurt, ignored and harassed. Asaph saw what was going on in his time and felt that it was unfair how Israel were struggling. He felt God had forgotten or abandoned them, although he knew it wasn’t really true. He refers to Israel as ‘your heritage’, ‘your congregation’, ‘the sheep of your pasture’ clearly showing that Asaph is confident that Israel belongs to God and that they are His special, chosen ones. Yet sometimes it is hard to see that when the people of God are experiencing the longevity of suffering. Have you ever seen or heard the church being under attack or unfair restriction? I am sure in every collective of God’s people there are difficulties as the enemies of God are trying to put an end to holiness and faithfulness (v3). 

Asaph recalls how the dwelling place of God, the temple was desecrated (v3-8). The enemy enjoyed doing it and seeing the Israelites in pain, and it seemed that God was doing nothing. Even as His abode on Earth was attacked, burnt and chopped to pieces. Can you imagine being one of His people at that time having to live through this? Seeing the dwelling place of your God brought to ruins - how can you see God in moments like those? It would have been devastating, heartbreaking. It may have felt as if God had left. As we read accounts like this we know that these events happened because the people of God were unfaithful, so God was allowing them to suffer in order to bring them to repentance and salvation. Yet, can you imagine what it must have been like to go through it? There were always some faithful people around who were loyal to Him and tried to direct the Israelites to God and they suffered just as the unfaithful ones did. All of the Israelites suffered the judgement and punishment of God because the people of God are a collective; a flock, congregation, church. God’s people are not a bunch of individuals or a common interest group, but a family, a close knit tribe, a community. 

In Western culture this can be hard to fathom as the emphasis is on personal, independent, individual identity, not communal responsibility. When something goes wrong or well, the individual celebrates or commiserates, others may congratulate or comfort them but they are not so intimately acquainted with the individual’s situation that they take it on as their own experience. So this psalm shows us something different - that those who are set apart as God’s people are one; one flock, one congregation, one tribe (v1-2). The experiences they have are shared - communally celebrated and commiserated. There is togetherness and unity. When one family member is hurting, the whole family feels the pain. This is how it is with the people of God. They all undergo the joy and pain of being set apart as the people of God. 

This means that each individual has a responsibility for the welfare of the community of believers that they are a part of. Every believer is a part of the church and holds collective responsibility for the wellbeing of that community. You have a responsibility to live your life right not just for you, but because it also affects the community of believers that God has put you in. Your obedience or disobedience is not an independent decision as it affects everyone around you, you are part of the flock. The way you live and your faithfulness or sin affects the people in your life. You are part of something bigger than yourself, and you have responsibility to others in how you live. Your decisions matter, and you should consider the church when you make them as you are part of God's family and so what you do has consequences for them. 

Asaph is experiencing suffering because of the sin and disobedience of others, yet he doesn't cry out to God that it is unfair, that he hasn't done anything wrong so why should he be punished, instead he asks how long it will last, because the community of believers are hurting and getting a bad reputation, and he knows God cares, because they are His. The Israelites understood that they were part of a family, household, tribe and a nation. They understood they had personal responsibility to ensure they played their part. This is why Asaph calls for the deliverance of God’s people as a whole, not as individuals. For they are His flock (v1), congregation and tribe (v2) (all collective nouns). Asaph is calling for for communal redemption, not individual salvation. The redemption of all of the people of God is necessary, otherwise the community is incomplete and hurting. 

Your life is important to the community of God that you are a part of. You are important to your brothers and sisters, and you have a duty to honour and pray for them. Asaph takes on this mantle through this psalm as he petitions God for the nation’s salvation. He asks for the people of God, who are already set apart for Him, to be redeemed. For although God has saved us already, we still need redeeming! Even though we are connected and part of the family, the people of God still need to be brought back into God’s possession. How often do we forget who we are and make our own choices and just get on with life instead of considering that we are part of something bigger and more important? God still needs to redeem us. 

Do you pray, like Asaph, for the redemption of the tribe you are a part of? Do you live in consideration to your community when you make decisions for your own life? 

When you seek change, are you prepared for the change to start with you?

 Psalm 72:1–20 (ESV):  

1  Give the king your justice, O God, 

and your righteousness to the royal son! 

2  May he judge your people with righteousness, 

and your poor with justice! 

3  Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, 

and the hills, in righteousness! 

4  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, 

give deliverance to the children of the needy, 

and crush the oppressor! 

5  May they fear you while the sun endures, 

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! 

6  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, 

like showers that water the earth! 

7  In his days may the righteous flourish, 

and peace abound, till the moon be no more! 

8  May he have dominion from sea to sea, 

and from the River to the ends of the earth! 

9  May desert tribes bow down before him, 

and his enemies lick the dust! 

10  May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands 

render him tribute; 

may the kings of Sheba and Seba 

bring gifts! 

11  May all kings fall down before him, 

all nations serve him! 

12  For he delivers the needy when he calls, 

the poor and him who has no helper. 

13  He has pity on the weak and the needy, 

and saves the lives of the needy. 

14  From oppression and violence he redeems their life, 

and precious is their blood in his sight. 

15  Long may he live; 

may gold of Sheba be given to him! 

May prayer be made for him continually, 

and blessings invoked for him all the day! 

16  May there be abundance of grain in the land; 

on the tops of the mountains may it wave; 

may its fruit be like Lebanon; 

and may people blossom in the cities 

like the grass of the field! 

17  May his name endure forever, 

his fame continue as long as the sun! 

May people be blessed in him, 

all nations call him blessed! 

18  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, 

who alone does wondrous things. 

19  Blessed be his glorious name forever; 

may the whole earth be filled with his glory! 

Amen and Amen! 

20  The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. 

Solomon (the king’s son) here is asking for God to give him the character and gifts needed to lead the nation well. He knows he will inherit the throne of his father, David, so he is preparing himself to lead. Therefore as he takes on this mammoth task, he asks for God’s help and blessing in the role. He is clearly not confident or sure of what he will need to do, but he is sure that God can help him and the nation. He prays for the kind of rule he wants, and the kind of kingdom that anyone would like to lead - righteous, just, prosperous, protected, free and God-honouring. Solomon knows that he cannot achieve this alone, and he knows the battles his father has fought to protect this people, so he is under no illusion that being monarch is going to be easy! Therefore he asks God for help, and for his character to be moulded into the king that the nation needs. Solomon is prepared to do the hard work of changing himself in otder to be the vessel God and the Israelites need (notice all the times he says 'may he'). When you pray for change, are you prepared for the change to start with you?

Solomon understands that in order to lead the nation into peace and justice that he will have to handle judgements and he desires to do that right. He needs the spirit of God to help him discern, so he asks. He goes to God and asks Him to help, do you? Whatever is needed to do the tasks you are given in life, do you ask God to help you do them well? Solomon did. He knew change was required for the benefit of the people he was serving, and he asks God for it even if that means he has to change, learn and stretch himself. Solomon recognises that he needs to take responsibility, but it is scary and too big a job for him. His vision and ideal reign will be peaceful and prosperous, so he asks God to deliver it and transform him into the kind of person that can lead a nation like that. He firstly asks to become just and righteous (v1-2), then he goes onto ask for courage to defend those with the least and defeat ‘the oppressor’ (v4), next he asks that he refreshes the people of Israel (v6-7). He does not want to be a burden, but a blessing, He wants to enable the country to flourish, and so realises that there are expectations and responsibilities that he needs to take on that he doesn’t feel ready for. Therefore he needs the power of God to come! To change him, to provide and go before him. 

Solomon must have learnt from his Dad how to pray! He must have seen him crying out in distress, praising and petitioning God for help. He may have read some of the songs and prayers David wrote. He had seen the success of a life lived depending on God, and reigning from an attitude of God first, and so he copied this successful way. Solomon had seen that the fear of God from the king will cause the nation to prosper (v5). As he wants to rule well and for a long time (v6-7), for a wide expanse of land (v8-11) in a peaceful time, and for the nation to be renowned for peace, justice and prosperity, Solomon knows he has to look to God for it. He trusts God for the things yet unknown and unrealised because he has experienced the success of his father's relationship with God and seen how that has brought salvation and restoration to Israel. So as the time approaches for him to be the leader, he desires to continue to develop and grow the nation into goodness. He was aware that David and his mother,  Bathsheba, were preparing him to be king, so he wanted to prepare himself. Therefore he sought God so that he could become the man God needed to rule Israel. He was prepared for the change to start with him.

We know that these things Solomon prayed for came about. Israel knew peace and prosperity during his reign, and he was known as a wise and just king, other kings voluntarily paid homage to Solomon voluntarily (v10). God gave Solomon what he had asked for. After all, Solomon had prayed for what God desired already, and so it came about plus Solomon was willing to change himself first in order to complete his job well. He asked God for His assistance in the everyday things that he needed to do, knowing that there was personal development required, and he trusted God with the vision he had for the future. We can read this psalm and conclude that Solomon was asking for the perfect nation, and why not?! Why limit your expectations of what God can do? Solomon didn’t, and look at the nation of Israel when he ruled - he was known to be wise and just, and Israel was a peaceful and prosperous nation with other kings and queens voluntarily bringing him gifts and learning from him. Solomon prayed for big things, and God delivered. Solomon allowed himself to be changed first so that the nation could be transformed, and it happened. When you desire change, are you prepared for it to start with you?  Will you ask God to help and prepare you for today and the future, asking Him to help you be the change He needs?

ALL people

 Psalm 68:28–35 (ESV):  

28  Summon your power, O God, 

the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. 

29  Because of your temple at Jerusalem 

kings shall bear gifts to you. 

30  Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, 

the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. 

Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; 

scatter the peoples who delight in war. 

31  Nobles shall come from Egypt; 

Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. 

32  O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; 

sing praises to the Lord, Selah 

33  to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; 

behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 

34  Ascribe power to God, 

whose majesty is over Israel, 

and whose power is in the skies. 

35  Awesome is God from his sanctuary; 

the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. 

Blessed be God! 

The glory, beauty, power and magnificence of God is now celebrated all across the world! Once, Israel were the chosen nation, the people God led through the wilderness into the promised land. Now, all people flock to God. We are living in the days that this psalm foretold! When; kings, nobles, young and old, people from war torn countries, previous enemies and even those deemed wicked can ‘ascribe power to God’ and ‘sing praises to the Lord’. These days were prophesied and hoped for, and the people of Israel saw glimpses of what it could be like, but they could not see the fullness of what it meant for 'kingdoms of. the earth' to. be praising God. 

We have the privilege of living in the days when this is happening, when the good news that we can be forgiven and free from sin when we believe in and follow Jesus, is available to all people. Every person, no matter how lofty or lowly, no matter their language or culture, how old or young, where they are from or what they have done - all people can be forgiven, restored and brought into the family of God! What a joy it should be to each of us to live in such times. These are the days foretold in the Bible! We can eat together, sing together, enter a place of praise together and see salvation in all people. The gospel is for every man, woman and child, freely available with the great news that each one can have a relationship with God if they want it!

When I look at the group of people that i worship with, i see such beautiful variety, this was not something that the Israelites at the time of the psalm would have experienced. They were all one nation, all Israelites, (with very few exceptions like Rahab and Caleb), who journeyed together, lived together and worshipped God together. So when they heard scripture say things like, ‘kingdoms of the earth, sing to God’, I wonder what they imagined. It must have seemed impossible, that even those who God told them were enemies, would one day have access to praise Him. That worship would come from ‘his people’ could mean anyone, not just the Jews. It must have seemed inspiring, confusing and pretty impossible. Impossible in the sight of man anyway. Yet this was something the Israelites were being shown again and again through scripture, that God had a different plan. Although in their day, they alone were His people, a day was coming when God’s people would come from all nations! Wow! 

When God speaks, at the time, it does not always make sense or seem possible, but holding onto His words is important, as our situation in this context proves. The nation of Israel were told things like the fact that one day worshippers would be from all nations. Thankfully, it is documented so that we can see and be witnesses to the fact that God keeps His word. For now, anyone and everyone can worship God and be considered His people - joined through the love, forgiveness, compassion, and might of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Not only that, but we are also made family through him - we are now brothers and sisters to a vast people group, greater than the nation of Israel! How could those Israelites of Old  Testament times imagine that?

This shows that God’s plan is always greater than we can understand. God does ‘far more than we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20). Even when He has told us what He will do, it is hard for us to comprehend it as it is beyond our ability to visualise. Those living in Old Testament times had a hope, an idea and a vision of what faith in God would look like, but it was blurry and exciting and not something that could easily be grasped or fully understood. We too, live with such things. There are things that we know and see in part, but one day will see fully (1 Corinthians 13:12). We have no idea what the future holds. You can listen to and hear from God, be given something of His vision and hear prophecies, but you do not know what the fullness of His promises look like. They are far greater than you can suppose, because God is just so big and awesome His imagination outstrips yours! Just know, that when God speaks, He will do it and do it brilliantly.

God promises to turn your life around - will you let Him?

‘The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb. 21 Saviours shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.’

Obadiah 20–21.

In these verses God shows the culmination of the prophecy over Edom and Israel. One day, the Israelites, the exiles of Jerusalem, that were once outcasts and looked down upon, will become landowners. They will have provision, not just for themselves, but will also become ‘saviours’ for others. Mount Esau will also be transformed - From a place of pride and self-sufficiency to a kingdom where God reigns. 

God can turn lives around. 

God doesn’t design things to be destroyed. He didn’t want the Edomites to suffer and be wiped out, but the way they were going was already destroying themselves and those around them. These people of Edom had become sinful and a terror for people following God. They led others to persecute and kill the Israelites and they were proud of it. In this book God is showing how that is going to change. No more will His people be those that are abandoned, alone and without, but they will have their own place, their own land and they will prosper. Those that were once kicked out, dragged off, persecuted, bedraggled and mistreated will become owners, leaders and helpers. They will transform the mountain where their enemy lived into one where God's kingdom is. Where truth, justice and love prevail so much so that ‘saviours’ will be there. There will be those available to help, heal and lead the people of God into real freedom. Not the perceived freedom the Edomites had been living where everyone did what they wanted in order to get what they wanted. 

This is a radical turn-around of events. The place of worldy prosperity and self-sufficiency (Mount Esau) is promised to become a place led by God! It seems unbelievable and unreal, but God can turn any life, any situation and any place around. No matter the current circumstances, your history, or what you’ve got yourself into - there is hope, and there is rescue available. God can turn your life around if you let Him. 

If you are feeling like you are stuck, that there are things that are coming against you, or that you've got involved in things that you wish you hadn't, then you can ask God to intervene. You can call out to Him and ask for rescue. Ask Him to remove you from the place of Edom, to send you 'saviours' - people who can help you out of this mess. There are people willing and able to help because they too have been saved by the love of God through the greatest saviour, his son, Jesus. 

If you ask God to change your life, He will. It will mean some changes required from you too - after all, you have changed the rulership. When you ask God for help, you give Him permission to be the commander of your life, not you. This is because when you are in control, look where it ends up - becoming fed up of the drive for independence and self-gratifying behaviour, never being satisfied, stuck in a never-ending loop seeking self-fulfilment which brings chaos, destruction and defeat. When you invite God in to help you, God will invite you to make a change and invite you to the place where He reigns. This will turn your life around.

We see how God had a plan for the Edomites and the Israelites in this book of Obadiah. He also has a plan for your life. A plan where you will have possession over some things, where you will be provided for, and have purpose as well as the ability to lead others to salvation. Your life can be transformed when you trust God. You can escape the torment and suffering of years gone by, and have a prosperous future prepared for you. You can be transformed from feeling forgotten and downtrodden to being recognised, safe and given purpose. 

God promises to turn your life around - will you let Him?

which mount are you living on?

In historical times, mountains were places where people often worshipped as they were believed to be physically closer to where the gods lived. They became places where altars were made and items of worship placed. High places were sought after as a place to worship, and as a place of safety as the height in itself is a good defence. Therefore it is interesting as we read Obadiah to hear of two high places. The Edomites are said to have lived on a high place, ‘in your lofty dwelling’ (v3) and, ‘among the stars’ (v4), where they felt secure and powerful. Then in v17, we hear about Mount Zion, a place of refuge and holiness;

17 But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions. The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble’

Obadiah 17 - 18

So here we have the mention of the second high place, seemingly in contrast to the mount of Edom. Yet there are similarities as they are both elevated, and both are used as places of worship. It is like the two places have the same opportunity, but they have been used for different purposes. One place (Edom) has been used to glorify man, and the other (Zion) will be used to glorify God. Both are places of worship, but worship for very different things. They are both places of worship, but what is it that is worshipped there and what does it lead to? 

The two high places could be a metaphor for the way of the world (Edom), and the way of God (Zion). The mount of Edom represents the way most people of this world are living. It seems; comfortable, easy, successful and the self is gratified, you can do what you want. It seems that you can feel good being there, because the aim is to please yourself, but when you get a lot of people together doing that same thing, seeking to please oneself, it is only a matter of time before that stops being fun and becomes scary. It might seem like this way offers much, but take a deeper look. Is doing whatever you want real satisfaction and purpose? Plus, where is that way of life leading? Even if you think this is the kind of life you'd like and want to lead, consider what this lifestyle had become for the Edomites - it had become home to selfishness and pride which led to destruction, devastation and betrayal. It was a place that promised much and seemed pretty good at first glance, but when you got to really know the life of Edom, it is full of deception. selfishness and adversity. Due to the material success and position, it seemed like a good place to be, but the reality is this lifestyle comes at a cost and eventually delivers death as its reward. 

That doesn’t have to be your future. There is another kingdom, another mount, another way of life. Yet, it may not offer all you want because it is not the way of the world or the way self, but the way of God. If you choose to live on Mount Zion, in God’s kingdom, you will be following His rules and His ways. Not your own or anyone else’s. If you are fed up with the never ending search for self-sufficiency, improvement, bigger and better then why not try moving to this mount? On Mount Zion God tells us there will be acceptance, holiness and possessions, there is an inheritance waiting for you that you can grab hold of. There is a future that involves possessions not death or stubble! 

As well as the Mount of Edom, there is also Mount Zion. You can choose which one you go to, which one you build your life upon.

*32*And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls. 

Joel 2:32.

God gives you the choice- you can choose to live with Him or without Him - Mount Edom or Mount Zion. Both places have a future, but what do you want yours to look like? 

Pride or accountability?

As we continue our journey through the book of Obadiah, we can see how the Edomites have been fairly warned by God about the fact that their downfall is coming. They are going to suffer because of their pride and treatment of their kin, the Israelites. They can expect to be utterly destroyed, not just lose their possessions and livelihoods, but also their lives. They shall be completely wiped out as they have lived with pleasure and self-gratification rather than acknowledging God and their responsibilities to others. Doesn't this sound like a familiar story in our day and age? People out to get what they want instead of considering what their life is really about and disregarding others in the process? Is not this what society promotes even? A self-sufficient, independent me-first mentality? 

If you can relate to this, then take some time to consider what the outcome could be for you and those around you. It is not too late to make things right. The issue with the Edomites was that they were quite satisfied with their lot in life, and they did not wish to change. God gives us all a chance to change - the question is, are you going to take it?

The way Obadiah expresses the following verses, with the repeated, 'do not' it seems to be as if he is imploring the Edomites to change. It is not too late to recognise the errors of their ways, to change their attitude towards Judah. It is not too late to repent. Yet, they do not wish to listen. The day of the Lord is near, and the day of the punishment is coming, but the Edomites do not wish to see or hear of it;

10 Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. 11 On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. 12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress. 13 Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity; do not loot his wealth in the day of his calamity. 14 Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress. 15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. 

Obadiah 10–15.

Do not…do not…do not… what do you think when you read this list of don’ts? I read it and think it is a little bit late! The Edomites have already done these things. They have gloated and rejoiced over Judah’s downfall, they have boasted and been a part of their destruction, they watched and took advantage of their fellow Israelites downfall, they did take their stuff and lead others to capture them. So, isn’t it a bit late?

Yet, is never too late to try to make amends. To apologise and seek forgiveness. I think the real problem with Edom was not the fact that they had done things wrong and treated people badly, but that they were unwilling to admit it, change and seek forgiveness. Instead they had become full of pride, gloating and aloofness. Not only had they assisted the downfall of their brothers, but they were pleased about it.

Can it not be the same with us? 

Consider; a parent, friend, mentor, boss giving you some advice and guidance - calling you to account for something you have done and letting you know so that you can sort it out - but you ignore them and carry on. Pride takes over and you probably feel annoyed and aggrieved. Yet they were only trying to help you. Help you admit and correct your mistakes so that you can live free of guilt, shame and the consequences that will surely follow your wrongdoing. I am sure you have had an experience like that, we all have. Yet, how do you respond now in those circumstances? It is easy enough to get offended and react in annoyance, but do you lay aside that pride and sorted things out? or do you live with the hard consequences of pride? 

Conversely, have you ever had to be the one calling someone else to account? Knowing that this conversation is difficult and unwanted by both parties, but necessary because you care and want to guide the person to a better outcome, so that they can rectify mistakes and relationships. It is really difficult and frustrating when those people do not listen isn’t it?! When they are so full of pride, denial and arrogance that they do not want to admit any wrongdoing or rectify anything. Then you have to make it clear, if you don’t, then the consequences will hurt. 

I know you probably do not want to think of yourself in either of these situations, they are always uncomfortable. Yet, we are all human, and therefore you will make errors and have to sort them out, and you will be required to help others sort out theirs too. There are people that care about your life that will seek to hold you to account, and there are people that you care about that you will do the same for. God also does so. He cares about you and I infinitely more than anyone else could. He knows your ways, and He wishes the best for you, and sometimes what you get yourself into is not the best, just like for Edom. When that happens are you going to humble yourself and listen? Push aside pride, own up and sort out the mistakes you have made? God can use other people like Obadiah to speak truth to you and open your eyes, how are you going to respond when He does? 

The deceptiveness of pride

The book of Obadiah is a short one in the Old Testament. The author, Obadiah, has written down what God has shown him about the judgement for the country of Edom. Here are the first few verses that we shall consider today;

*1*The vision of Obadiah. 

Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom: 

We have heard a report from the Lord, 

and a messenger has been sent among the nations: 

“Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!” 

*2* Behold, I will make you small among the nations; 

you shall be utterly despised. 

*3* The pride of your heart has deceived you, 

you who live in the clefts of the rock, 

in your lofty dwelling, 

who say in your heart, 

“Who will bring me down to the ground?” 

*4* Though you soar aloft like the eagle, 

though your nest is set among the stars, 

from there I will bring you down, 

declares the Lord. 

Obadiah 1–4.

A pretty harsh judgement you would think, but that is because of the harsh way the Edomites have treated others. The reason that Edom is going to be overcome is because they assisted the Babylonians in capturing the Israelites that fled when Jerusalem was destroyed. This is serious to God because the Edomites are actually relatives of those Israelites! Edom consisted of the descendants of Esau, who was one of the sons of Isaac, and the brother to Jacob. Jacob is the one from whom all of the tribes of Israel descended. Therefore, the Edomites are related to the Israelites and their tribes, so they had, in essence, turned against their own family to support the unholy Babylonian nation. Instead of caring for and assisting their fleeing family, they turned against them. So, God pronounces what He intends to do to Edom through the prophet Obadiah. 

The Edomites would have been aware of their heritage and who the Israelites were, they could not feign ignorance about knowing who their ancestors were. Yet this does highlight the fact that although people can be brought up in the same family, with the same values and expectations, they still get to choose their own way in life just like their forefathers; Jacob and Esau. Jacob chose to honour God and the nation that came through him did consider God in some way throughout their history. They have times of following and disobeying, but God's voice doesn't ever seem too far away. Whereas Esau's descendants, the Edomites, seem to have rejected God, living their lives for what they can get out of it with no consideration for God. We see that through this book of Obadiah. The Edomites believe they are thriving, they are successful and capable. Yet, despite appearances, God is showing that there are more important things to life than the outward visible achievements. God proves through this prophecy that he is concerned about the hearts of His people. Even though the Edomites may not consider themselves His people, He does. He still cares about them and wishes to warn them about their impending doom because of their disregard for Him and their kin.

God, through Obadiah reveals that the cause of the Edomites issues is not hatred, greed, jealousy or a violent temper, but pride (v3). The Edomites were deeply satisfied within themselves. They took great pleasure in who they were and what they could do. This is the source of their problems; a confidence in oneself, and a reliance on one’s possessions and capabilities. They were ok with that, but God says, 'The pride of your heart has deceived you'. 

You may have heard of the proverb, ‘pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall’ (`Proverbs 16:18). Pride - the deep pleasure and satisfaction of your own achievements or possessions is destructive. It is a problem because it is me-focussed. It gives no honour, glory or concern to anyone else, just oneself. The proud can be spotted as those who consider themselves better than others because of what they have got and achieved, they look to themselves for the solutions to life’s problems and think that they are responsible for their own success. The Edomites were such people. They knew what they were good at, and revelled in it. Even where they lived demonstrated something of how apart and above others they felt - they lived up high in the rocks - what a secure, solid powerful environment to oversee the other land and nations from, they would literally have to look down on everyone else from their dwelling place. They felt safe and secure, just like an eagle soaring around; confident, and unconcerned, unaware of any danger. Yet, in verse 4 God promises, ‘from there I will bring you down’. It seems impossible. From the top of a solid mountain plateau, from the soaring heights of the eagle, from there God will bring the nation of Edom down. It does not seem like it can happen, certainly not to the Edomites from their privileged position. Yet, no matter how secure you can feel in life, if you are consumed with pride and fail to acknowledge God’s favour, then you may be heading for a downfall just as these people were.

No matter how high you may feel in life, no matter the height of your achievements or capabilities, God can bring you down. So, what can you do to avoid it? Ensure that you are not 'deceived' like the Edomites were - that you are not blinded by success or achievement or that getting something or somewhere in life is your ultimate goal in life. Make sure that you are caring for others, that you are not destroying or degrading others in your attempt to succeed. Most importantly, consider God. What does God want you to achieve in life? What and who has He given you to take care of? Are you showing your gratitude and acceptance of God's favour, generosity and love to those around you? Do people hear you boast, not of yourself, but of what God has done for you?

Be aware of your attitude and behaviour towards God, yourself and others. God sees the deceptive nature of pride, and it is so easy to fall into the trap of self-sufficiency and feeling good about success and hardwork, after all, isn't that what the rest of the world emulates? God would like to rescue you from pride - will you let Him? Or are you just going to wait for the fall?

Do you have new life?

 Next, Jude puts into context the problem with what the false teachers are promoting. Jude connects with the hearers of his words by recalling what has occurred through history with those who do not fully follow God. Jude demonstrates that the reality is much more than an individual person or sin, but has historical, spiritual and eternal significance;

*5*Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. *6*And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— *7*just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. 

Jude 5–7.

Firstly, Jude calls to remembrance the fact that Jesus has always existed. We know that the physical incarnation of Jesus was not around when the Israelites escaped Egypt, but he was with his Father in heaven. He was seated with God when it all occurred and had a hand in their deliverance, and the destruction of those who did not believe. The generation that left Egypt were not the ones that entered the promised land (apart from 2) because they were not obedient and did not trust God in what He said He could do. Jude is drawing this parallel to the situation that the current believers are facing. Believers in Jesus have left their ‘Egypt’ - symbolically their old lives and slavery to sin - so why try to carry it into the future? 

Sin and sensuality cannot be permitted. This is what Jude is reminding his readers here. Once you have faith in God and understood who Jesus is, you cannot keep looking back or carrying habits/sins of the past because they are not part of your new life. The persons that follows Jesus is the person has left Egypt, and is now on the way to the promised land. Remember, only those who walked with genuine dedication and obedience to God (Joshua and Caleb) saw the fulfilment of God's promise. Just as the Israelites had to learn all those years ago, so the readers of this letter also need to learn; sin is not accepted in the kingdom of God, and it is not acceptable to live with it in our lives. Jude makes it clear that some ‘believers’ were destroyed before they could enter the promised land because of their lack of understanding of who God really is and who they were as a result. The same is true for us. You and I can be cut off from the people of God if we do not deal with the things that hold us back. If we are not serious about aligning our body, heart and minds to God's design, then we too will not enter into the promises God has for us. 

If you are still not convinced, then consider what Jude says about the angels - if heavenly beings cannot escape condemnation and judgement, how can we? It is important that we as humans recognise our, ‘own position of authority’ just as the angels needs to. We do have authority, but this position has limitations and boundaries just like the angels. God has made clear the expectations He desires us to live by, not because He is a tyrant or dictator, but because He is a loving Father and knows what is best for us. Being fooled into believing that living a life that enjoys and endorses sin and sensuality is ok is living outside of God’s will, and will do you harm. God wants to save you from that, this is why Jude is writing explaining about the reality of what will happen if those who have got it wrong do not change their ways. Just as the disobedient angels were removed from God's presence, and the original Israelites did not enter into the promised land, so all sin needs to be eradicated. The good news for us is that is why Jesus died. Jesus died because he took on all the sin of the world; past, present and future, so that we can be free from the power of sin, guilt and shame and have a relationship with God and a hope for the promises of God fulfilled in our lives. 

There follows a third example, just in case the message of abandoning God’s will, not trusting and dedicating your life to Him was not enough with the examples of the Israelites in Egypt and the fallen angels, we are now reminded of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two towns renowned for deplorable activities, for immorality, ‘unnatural desire’, these towns seem to epitomise sin in how they are portrayed. The lesson we can learn from these towns is that people who wantonly permit and promote sin are destined for destruction. Throughout the Bible it is clear that sin requires dealing with severely. It requires death. That is why in the Old Testament people made sacrifices to atone for their wrongdoings. Sin is such a big issue because it destroys our relationships. It severs the relationship we have with God and damages the relationships with those around us, let alone the relationship we have with ourselves. Sin is serious. It effects how we feel, how we see things, how we behave and how we relate to others and God, as well as our own sense of self-worth. Thankfully, Jesus has dealt with all sin. He has taken the punishment, the death required for every wrongdoing ever. Jesus has made it possible for us to be restored to God and others and even given us a chance for a new life ourselves. 

Have you embraced this new life? 

It is never too late to do so. Maybe today is a chance for you to put things right with you and God, you and others, and even you and yourself. You have the opportunity to be free from the guilt and shame of sin, to escape destruction and enter the promised land. Are you going to take it?

Simple, everyday decisions

Today, we are staring to explore the book of Daniel. This book follows Daniel from a young man at the beginning of the book (that is named after him), and sees him grow up in exile. He starts off when we meet him as a captive of the conquering nation, Babylon. The Babylonians had fought against Jerusalem and won, so they ransacked the city and captured the people. Daniel and his friends were amongst those wrenched from their homeland. 

The book of Daniel introduces the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, and explains that he decided that he wanted some of those captured to be educated in their ways. So they set about choosing the right kind of people. They didn’t just choose to educate a random selection of people, but carefully selected the best of the best as they wanted to produce good, capable leaders. So they had set criteria; young men, attractive, noble/royal heritage, intelligent, capable. The Babylonians carefully selected those that would already have been looked up to by the captured Israelites, those of royal/noble birth who would have some understanding of what having leadership and influence was like. Yet young enough to mould and develop (likely young teens) into the kind of leaders they desired in their kingdom. These select few were then educated for 3 years in the ways of the Babylonian empire. This ensured that they would have capable leaders amongst the conquered nations that can instruct, guide and rule. It was a smart, long-term strategy to control and envelop the conquered nations into the growing Babylonian empire in order to develop one mighty culture and nation. 

Daniel and his friends;  Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were amongst the new recruits, the carefully selected teenage boys of 'good stock' that are inducted into the Babylonian leadership program. They weren't the only ones, but they are the young men that this book of Daniel focusses on. Once chosen it seems that these lads were treated pretty well - they were given somewhere to live, educated and even had the same food as the king! Doesn't sound too bad for an exile does it?!

The thing is though, that right from this early stage of this new life that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah encounter, they start to stand up for what they believe and they stand out from the other potential leaders. There would have been other youths from Israel in involved in this setting, but it is only them that make a bit of a radical decision. As Jewish boys, they clearly knew the expectations of the faith they had, and they wanted to follow it. When offered the king's food, they decline and instead request to eat just vegetables and drink only water. These are teenage boys remember…teenage boys choosing a vegetable only diet! That's a bot odd, don't you think? Yet they knew the Law, they knew that God had said to not eat certain things, so they were obedient and faithful. Whilst others maybe didn't even think of it, or were perhaps too scared to speak out to their captors on this issue, Daniel and his friends made a decision to keep themselves pure and made it simple for those who were in charge of them, they asked for just vegetables. They didn’t do it for fun or as an experiment, they probably felt like they were missing out at times when others were enjoying a tasty bit of meat, but they had a firm grasp of the Jewish faith and it's requirements. They chose to honour God in the simple matter of what they ate. The others just went along with what was going on, who did not think about denying themselves the king’s food - I mean, who would when you’re offered the very same things as the king?! The other young noble Israelite lads just went with what came.

Are you in danger of doing the same?

Just keep going, keep your head down and don’t make a scene. That’s what the other teenage boys did, and they are barely mentioned. However, as we go through the book of Daniel, we will see more of the adventures of faith Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah go through. It is by no means easy, but it all starts here with the simple, everyday decision of what to eat. 

What simple, everyday decisions are you facing today and can you honour God in them?