June 9

Obadiah's Prophecy Against Edom - Obadiah 1:1-21

Ok, so I'm not the first with the idea.  Here's the ESV Journaling Bible.

"Though  you soar like the eagle

     and make your nest among the stars,

     from there I will bring you down,

     declares the Lord." Obadiah 1:4

Not sure why this prophecy of doom and gloom for Edom is in the Bible as a book.  But it's there.  Perhaps just to tell us that doing God's will isn't enough.  Yes, you heard me.  Edom, Esau's descendants, are doing the will of God when they punish Isreael by plundering them, aren't they?  Israel has fallen away and needs reminding they need God.  But then, Edom will also be punished...for doing the will of God.  I know, I know.  They chose to do evil and God used it for good.  He's good at that.  But doesn't it suggest that you can be an instrument for evil and still achieve results that are God's will for the ultimate good of his people?  You can do God's will and still be in the wrong?  Say what? 

I noted in the margins of my Bible today that last year at this point in the readings we where approaching Ketchikan, Alaska, on our 25th anniversary trip.  I think next year instead of annotating the Bible with my thoughts on scripture as I have for the past two years, I'll make a note of what was happening in my life at that point.  I'll combine my daily reading with a daily journal.  After all, I'm doing all of this as much for my children and their children as I'm doing it for myself.  Wouldn't it be interesting to read scripture and along with it follow the journey and journal of your father's heart?

Lord knows.