Obadiah 1:1-4

January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the Lord, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: “Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!” Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord” (Obadiah 1:1-4).

In these 4 verses, we can see several things. 1) The prophet is Obadiah, whose name means Servant (Slave) of Yahweh. 

2) This book of prophecy is directed to the land of Edom. This is the land where Esau, the angry brother of Jacob, settled. 

3) The people of Edom are proud and self-secure. “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’”

4) The LORD says He can and will reach Edom to bring them down. This is an important lesson for all nations, even today. Sometimes nations or people, in general, think that God has no relevance to them, even if He exists. The true and living God has claims on ALL people on the earth. 

5) Why was God angry with Edom? Because they made fun of Israel while the Babylonians were sacking Jerusalem. (See verses 10-14.)

This is a good reminder to me that the Lord measures the hearts and actions of people, including mine. 

Father, please help me remember that my heart is important, not just my actions. Help me to have a pure heart. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Israel, Obadiah, Old Testament

Joel 2:25

January 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you” (Joel 2:25).

This is one of my favorite verses, offering hope of restoration. Here, the Lord is offering to undo the damage done by the locusts in chapter one. Chapter one focused on Israel’s disobedience. Chapter two focuses on repentance. Notice the order: Chapter one is bad news. Chapter two is good news. 

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬)

Through Joel, God is calling Judah to turn their hearts back to him. I believe this call to repentance demonstrates consistency between the OT and NT. 

Two happy reminders from Joel chapter two:

1. God restores sinners who repent. 
2. God is consistent. 

Father, thank you for offering restoration and for being consistent. These things give me hope and encouragement. Amen. 

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Israel, Joel, Restoring Israel

Ezekiel 41:5

November 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Then he measured the wall of the temple, six cubits thick, and the breadth of the side chambers, four cubits, all around the temple.” (Ezekiel 41:5)

Like chapter 40 – but only more – this chapter is filled with specific details of a Jewish temple. It can be easy to lose interest because … who really cares how thick a wall is? Or, how wide is a room?

Since God showed Ezekiel these blueprints and told him to declare this information to the house of Israel (40:4), we need to guard our hearts so that we do not dismiss this information as irrelevant to us.

This vision occurred while the Jews were in Babylon, and Jerusalem had been destroyed. We know the vision wasn’t of the then currently destroyed temple. Apparently, it was of a future temple. When the Jews returned to Israel, they restored Solomon’s temple, which differed from Ezekiel’s vision. In about 20 BC, Herod began a significant remodeling and expansion of the Temple Mount. The outcome of his project also differed from Ezekiel’s vision. So, we can conclude that there remains yet another temple to be built.

Since this temple has yet to be built, we should watch its construction. I’m not certain whether it is earthly or heavenly, though. Let’s keep watching.

Father, help me to anticipate the future with excitement. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Faith, Israel, Jerusalem, Old Testament, Prophecy, Restoring Israel, Temple Mount

Ezekiel 40:4

November 28, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“And the man said to me, ‘Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.’” (Ezekiel 40:4)

This is interesting. Although this was a vision, Ezekiel was told to see with his physical eyes and hear with his real ears. The details will be clear to Ezekiel.

Second, Ezekiel was told to declare the content of the vision to the house of Israel. Since this appears in the Bible, it seems that Ezekiel obeyed. Question: How many in the house of Israel have any idea of this vision? Very few.

Similarly, many who identify as Christians have little to no idea what the Bible says. Me included. So rather than throw stones at the Jews, I need to look in the mirror and get busy knowing and obeying what my own book says.

Father, help me to live in a way that says I really believe in you and that I know and understand your book. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Israel, Old Testament, Prophecy

Ezekiel 34:2-3, 11-13

November 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep.” (Ezekiel 34:2-3)

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country.” (Ezekiel 34:11‬-‭13‬)

In this chapter, the Lord turns his attention back to His people, the shepherds of Judah. Using the imagery of a shepherd, he rebukes those who cared for themselves rather than the sheep.

Israel was taken into exile because of their rebellion against the Lord. And those who were to care for their spiritual well-being were actually profiting themselves. This was akin to a shepherd eating all the sheep before they could reproduce. That’s not good for the shepherd or the sheep.

In the second part, the Lord offers great hope by saying he will fill the void of the wicked shepherds by hunting for the sheep himself and restoring them to their land. The Lord will not only find the scattered sheep,

Note the restorative language of 13-14 (and beyond). He will not only bring them out from among the peoples, but he will also restore them to their own land. Then, he will feed them. Why? Because he is the good shepherd.

“So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.’” (John‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬-‭18‬)

Father, help me to see you as the supremely good shepherd who cares for his sheep. Help me to trust that all you do is good and right and for my good. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Israel, Old Testament, Restoring Israel
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