For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head. Obadiah 15
Has the enemy stolen from you or held you captive in areas of your life? Then Obadiah is the book for you.
Our God is a just God. He will punish injustices against His covenant people. We see this in the natural, physical sense in Obadiah.
Edom, the long-time enemy of Israel and Judah, rejoiced and gloated when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took Judah captive (v. 12). They participated in looting the temple and set up roadblocks at crossroads to prevent refugees from escaping (v. 13).
God sees all. God knows. He will return upon the heads of individuals and nations what they have done (v. 15). God promised to give His covenant people the places that their enemy had taken from them and the places where they had been held captive (v. 19-21).
The same promise is for you and me in the spiritual realm. What has the enemy stolen from you? Your children? Your finances? Where has the enemy held you captive? Addictions, depression, fear?
NO MORE!
Jesus has come to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the oppressed (Luke 4:18). Put your faith in Him. Jesus desires to fully restore you. God has a plan and a purpose for your life (Jer. 29:11).
Holiness is required to experience these promises of God (Ob. 17-18; 1 Cor. 3:12-15). God sent Israel and Judah into captivity for their unfaithfulness to Him. Israel returned to their land only after they repented and renewed their covenant with the Lord (Daniel 9; Ezra).
God honors those who honor Him (1 Sam. 2:30). If we keep ourselves holy, set apart, for Him, He will honor us by keeping His promises. God will recoup for us those things stolen by the enemy. He will give us authority in the places we have been held captive. Repentance and holiness are key to defeating our enemies.