August 19, 2026 - Obadiah

Likely written soon after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, Obadiah addressed the people of Edom who helped capture fleeing Israelites and turn them over to the Babylonians.  The Edomites were descendants of Esau, thus related to the Israelites and should have come to their aid.  That they did not, but assisted Babylon in oppressing the people, angered the Lord who promised to punish Edom and also to restore Israel because of his covenant love for them.  This is a short OT book with a clear message:  The Lord will manifest his sovereign rule over all the nations for the benefit of his people.  We have a God who looks out for us!  Charles Spurgeon wrote the words to this hymn, which bring to mind God’s promised deliverance of Israel and ours.

Make haste, O God, my soul to bless!

My help and my deliv’rer Thou;

Make haste, for I'm in deep distress,

My case is urgent; help me now.

Make haste, O God, make haste to save!

For time is short, and death is nigh;

Make haste ere yet I'm in my grave,

And with the lost forever lie.

Make haste, for I am poor and low;

And Satan mocks my prayers and tears;

O God, in mercy be not slow.

But snatch me from my horrid fears.

Make haste, O God, and hear my cries;

Then with the souls who seek Thy face,

And those who Thy salvation prize,

I'll magnify Thy matchless grace.   –Charles Spurgeon (1866)