Teaching the book of Obadiah this morning, I was reflecting on the issue of Israel and her neighbors: Jordan, The Palestinian Territories and Lebanon. According to this little book written (likely) sometime in the sixth century B.C. (though some have argued for as early as the 9th century) “Edom” and Gilead (which is within the… Continue reading Why Israel's Neighbors Can't Win
By the rivers of Babylon we sit down and weep when we remember Zion. On the poplars in her midst we hang our harps, for there our captors ask us to compose songs; those who mock us demand that we be happy, saying: “Sing for us a song about Zion!” How can we sing a… Continue reading Blessed be the One Who Grabs Babylon's Babies and Smashes Them on a Rock: A Psalm
35:1-9 – A prophecy against Mount Seir. Where is Mount Seir and what does it represent? It is the primary site for the kingdom of Edom (house “father” was Esau) which lies to the southeast of Israel and Judah. However, “Edom in Ezekiel 35 is merely one representative of the nations at large who oppose… Continue reading Ezekiel 35-36 – Two "Mountainous" Prophecies
24:1-5 – The siege begins. The exact date (January 5, 587BC according to Daniel Block NICOT I:772-774) is given in order to verify that indeed the word of the LORD declared what happened before it could be verified. Note the emphasis on the date in the second verse. The siege would be finished within 18… Continue reading Ezekiel 24-25 – A Time To Mourn And A Time Not To Mourn
