Saturday, July 28, 2012

Obadiah; Psalms 82 & 83: What We Give is What We Get

Obadiah 1:15
Amplified Bible (AMP)

For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your dealings will return upon your own head.


God, through Obadiah, was specifically speaking to the nation of Edom in the verse above.  There are other examples in the Scripture which remind us of this spiritual law.  What we do to others eventually comes back to us.


Matthew 5:7
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!


"The word 'merciful,' according to Thayer is defined as: 'good will towards the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them.' It not only means to feels deeply but is also a word of action. It is to recognize a need and then do something about it." 



If we give mercy, we get mercy!



Matthew 7:1-2
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.

For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.


The word krino is the word used for judge in the above verses.  Krino, means to separate, critic, criticize, criticism, discriminate.  

Discerning the difference between good and evil is part of our mandate as Christians.  We desire to be pleasing to the Lord through our actions, therefore, we don't want to participate in anything of which He would disapprove.  This kind of judgement is healthy.

*The kind of judgement mentioned in the verses above place the "judge" over the one being judged as though the judge is better than or superior to the one being judged.  The difference is the heart motive and attitude.   

The former motive is bringing the person into knowledge of Truth because of love, while the latter exudes pride and a love lack.

*If we judge, we will be judged!

Edom committed violence against Jacob (Israel/Judah) and stole from them.  The book of Obadiah is proclaiming to the nation of Edom, "What you give, is what you get!"

Remembering the rule which should guide our lives, we help us not to be judgmental.


Luke 6:31
Amplified Bible (AMP)

And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.



Holy Spirit, empower us to give, give, give to others out of an overflow of Your love.  Because we know we will get it back from You!  In Jesus name, AMEN!


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