True & Beautiful Things About the Bible--Old TestamentSample

Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah: God Over All

God isn’t just God over nations who acknowledge Him. God is over all creation—or He’s not God at all.

King Jehosaphat prayed in 2 Chronicles 20:6 “O Lord God of our ancestors, you are the God who lives in heaven and rules over all the kingdoms of the nations . . . no one can stand against you.”

But even in the eighth century B.C. Middle East world, nations shook their fists at the God of Israel and said, You don’t scare us. And for some, it was the last thing they said.

God hates it when we try to live like He doesn’t exist. Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah shared that simple word.

·The prophet Obadiah had a short message for the nation of Edom. Remember Esau, Jacob’s twin, who sold his birthright for stew in Genesis 25-36? Edom was the nation from Esau’s family line. But when Jerusalem was attacked, Obadiah said, you saw what was happening, and you didn’t help. Edom was glad Judah was invaded and even looted their cities and captured fugitives. You did this to your family? God told Edom through Obadiah that even if they soar like eagles and build their nests in the stars, He would bring them down. You’re done, Edom. (There are no survivors from Edom today.)

·Remember when Jonah preached to Nineveh and the whole capital city of Assyria repented and turned to God? That was quite the miracle. Now, 150 years later, the wicked Assyrians have gone back to their evil ways. God sent Nahum to tell them their time was up and Nineveh will be wiped out. The Assyrians, the world’s dominant power once feared for their cruelty, will now face God’s judgement for their brutality, especially towards Israel. This message also comforts Israel (a play on Nahum’s name, which means “comfort.”) God will defend His people and bring justice to their enemies.

·In addition to Israel, Zephaniah also communicated to the other nations around Israel, that God’s justice applies to everyone. And so does His love. Zephaniah sounds like a prophet of doom, but really he delivers a message of grace to Israel. God is with you, he said, “The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (3:18) When you trust God, He’s so happy that He sings.

God loves the world and is responsible for history. These prophets tell us to hold God’s justice in one hand and God’s love in another. Together they will save the world.

Next: God gets personal.