On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. (‭Obadiah‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ESV)

Inaction – to stand aloof when injustice is being done to your brothers – is seen by God as violence. Be on God’s side.

For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. (‭Obadiah‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ ESV)

Power, Possessions, Achievements, Strong Allies, (human) wisdom – the pride of our hearts can deceive us into thinking that we have things under our control. But we don’t. God is so much more powerful. Nations and governments rise and fall, according to His word. Through good or bad, our hope should be in the Lord.

“This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. (‭Numbers‬ ‭30‬:‭1b-2‬ NIV)

There we go – I will keep my word, not just for my own integrity, but because my God commands it. Can’t get any clearer than this.

Wives seem to have it easier when it comes to (rash) promises made – because the husband is able to nullify it. God has given the responsibility to the husband. Silence means yes, in this case. Delayed response means yes as well – and the husband bears the consequences of the vows made.

God’s part: trains us, loves us, protects us, defends us, delivers us, fights for us, thinks of us, rescues us, provides for us

Our part: to bless God, to sing to God

Kinda unbalanced, don’t you think? : )

Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. (‭Psalm‬ ‭144‬:‭11‬ ESV)

We are not able to control what people say – lie – about us. God will be the one who will rescue and deliver, just like with Daniel and Joseph.

Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord! (‭Psalm‬ ‭144‬:‭15‬ ESV)

On the seventh month – on days 1, 10, then 15 to 22.. are special days when assemblies are held and offerings are made. That’s a lot, with very specific instructions for the quantity and quality of the offerings. This is in addition to the other special days and offerings that they were commanded to do.

Is God really concerned about these feasts and offerings? I believe, not so much. He is much more concerned with the heart of the people. He says so himself.

So these commands are really tests – opportunities – for God’s people to show their love for God. We need an outlet somehow. For truly grateful people, we can’t just not do anything, we need a way to respond.

Now that Jesus has done the ultimate sacrifice, these offerings and animal sacrifice are no longer required. In IT terms – depreciated. It is an insult to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus to still try to obtain holiness through one’s own efforts.

So what is the command to those who have been saved by grace through Jesus? Love God, love others.

Final chapter of Isaiah..

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

The house I have – this body, this life that you have given me – is all that I can offer. And I offer it all.

Contrite – to be broken. Means to relinquish control of one’s life, of one’s will. It’s surrender. Recognizing that the Creator, our Heavenly Father, knows and desires what’s good for us.

I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭4‬ ESV)

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When God calls, answer. When God speaks, listen. And don’t go the opposite direction..

“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, (‭Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭18‬ ESV)

The Day will come.