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IS BURNOUT A REAL DANGER?
Not too long ago, a friend had a problem with one of his knees. He had arthroscopic surgery on it in the eighties, and it started giving him trouble again. He went to his regular doctor, who sent him to a specialist. The specialist did several tests to see how bad the prob¬lem was.
The X-rays, (the Dr. said) “Are the knees of a seventy-year-old man.” Then he showed him the X-rays of my friends’ knees. “Yours are worse,” he said. “You’re ready for a knee replacement. Your knees are just worn out.”
The subject of “burn out” is some¬thing we hear a lot about today. There’s a great deal of focus on the danger of falling prey to overwork and stress, but is that a legiti¬mate concern?
I can’t stop my body from getting older, but I can keep from hav¬ing the attitude that I’m old. One does not get old unless his mind tells him he is old. I only have one life to serve God, and I want to make the most of it. Doing some, we found that in the 1930s, the average work¬week was eighteen hours longer than it is today-and we think we’re overworked.
THE COMMON TEACHING
It is commonly taught that Christians are overworked,
overstressed and in danger of burnout.
Twenty-first-century Christians, we often hear, are overworked, overstressed and in danger of burnout. People say, “It’s just so hard in this day and age. We have more pressure, stress and difficulty than ever before. Watch out for burnout.”
It’s almost impossible to listen to Christian radio or television for any length of time without hearing about the danger of burnout. I was listening to a couple of Christian psychologists one day on the radio talking about people they referred to as “pleasers.” They said this kind of person always says yes and does too much and that he needs to learn how to say no.
What was intriguing to me was that a lady called up the program and complained about how busy she was. She talked about all the commitments she had and how she was stretched too thin. Her solution was to drop all the things she was doing at the church. She kept the PTA and the Red Cross and Neighborhood Watch.
IT you have to give up something, don’t give up something of eternal value. Those Christian psychologists didn’t seem to see anything wrong with her solution. They didn’t suggest to her that the eternal was more important than the temporal and should have priority.
Jesus told the disciples to come apart and rest for a while.
The proponents of this teaching say that if you don’t come apart and rest, you’ll come apart.
I try to take a day off almost every week. I take two weeks’ vacation every year. I’m not against rest.
This common teaching on burnout, however, does not match what the Bible says. In fact, by looking at Mark 6, the context of this verse that is so often used to warn of burnout, we find a very different truth from what is commonly taught.
THE TRUTH
Mark 6:30-31
Jesus sent the disciples out two by two to go throughout the countryside and preach the Gospel
(vs. 7-13). People responded to the message. The Bible says the disciples were so busy, they did not have time to eat. If most of us are honest, we admit there aren’t very many times we’re too busy to eat. Eating holds a pretty high priority! When the disciples were tired and worn out, Jesus said they needed to rest. We also need to realize, believe in, and practice Philippians 4:13 & 19 as well as I Thess. 5:24
Jesus took them to a desert place.
Mark 6:32: They needed a day off. Yet the Bible says that the peo¬ple followed the ship on foot when they saw Jesus leaving. One of the things that we sometimes overlook in Scripture is the tremen¬dous appeal Jesus had to common people. They would go to great lengths to see and hear Him.
The Sea of Galilee is eight miles wide and thirteen miles long. In the day of Christ, there were nine towns around it. None of them had a population of fewer than 15,000. What happened was that, as those who witnessed Jesus and the disciples’ leaving, made their way around the lake. People from those cities joined them so they could also hear Jesus.
When Jesus got off the boat, He saw “much people.” I think it’s reasonable to assume there were 20,000 or more people there to hear Him, based on the fact that we are told there were 5,000 men. Without any advertisement or promotion, word of mouth gathered a huge crowd.
Jesus taught the multitude all day.
The day that was to have been devoted to resting was devoted to ministry instead. All day long, Jesus taught the people. Finally, the disciples came to Jesus and said, ”The time is far spent” (Mark 6:35). When they protested, saying they didn’t have enough money for the task, Jesus asked them what they did have.
It’s interesting to me how He focused on what they did have rather than what they lacked. You can always complain about a lack of time or energy to accomplish a task. Instead of doing that, use what you have. God multiplies what we have when we give it out to Him.
I wonder how many blessings and miracles we miss out on by giving up because we are so tired.
The disciples fed the hungry crowd.
After Jesus determined that they had five loaves and two fish, He issued instructions to the disciples. They first divided the peo¬ple into groups. Then the disciples served the food to them. Finally, when everyone had eaten all he wanted, the disciples gathered up what was left over.
IT our estimate that there were 20,000 people in the crowd is correct, each disciple would have needed to take food to around 1,700 people. I believe the disciples were more tired at the end of the day than they were at the beginning of the day. That was the final result of their day to relax, when they ‘came apart to rest.
The Bible tells us that there were twelve baskets of food left over-one for each of the disciples but none for Jesus. Never dur¬ing His life on earth did Jesus use His divine power for personal benefit. Instead, He went to refresh His strength in prayer.
The disciples then went back across the lake while Jesus stayed to pray.
Mark 6:45, 46.
“And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side
before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people”.
“And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.”
Jesus was just as physically tired as the disciples, if not more so. He had undoubtedly needed a day of rest just as much as they had. All day long He had taught the multitude of people who gathered to hear Him. Working miracles exacted a physical toll on Jesus (Mark 5:30).
Yet rather than taking the night to sleep, He took the night to pray. As we’ll see in the conclusion, many of the problems we attribute to burnout are caused by depending on our own strength rather than relying on divine power to accomplish the tasks that God has set before us.
A storm prevented the disciples from returning until Jesus calmed the sea
Jesus interrupted His praying to come to the disciples and rescue them from the storm.
MARK 6:48 (toiling and rowing = working hard).
4th watch getting close to the morning. They had worked hard most of the night.
Mark 6:51 (read).
No rest – No sleep – No break in their schedule – working hard all night …
They started ALL over again the next day.
Mark 6:54-56
The disciples and Jesus went right back to work the next day. They didn’t get a day of rest but also missed their night’s sleep. When they got to shore, they started ALL over again.
Mark 6:31 (read) some use this to justify quitting a S.S. class or bus route etc.
Stopping to rest was the original plan, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
The needs of the people were most important.
God Made Us To Work For Him
Eph. 2:10. We were made to work. God created us to work for Him. We are HIS creation.
Everyone gets tired. By the end of the day, you may say: “Boy, am I tired.” Then: “Go to bed.”
That’s why we have beds. We’re supposed to be tired at the end of the day.
Most of our stress problems are really sin problems
Phil. 4:6-7
Replace griping and worrying with praying and praising. That would give us more peace and less stress. Instead of focusing on your short comings, focus and rely on God.
There is NO problem that is too large or difficult for God. Turn it over to Him and you will find your strength and energy renewed. Jer. 32:27.
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The Book Of Malachi
Intro: This is the last call of the Old Testament before the voice of prophecy dies into a silence of 400 years. The last spokesman utters his soul and retires behind the mystery curtains of the past.
The meaning and the message: This Book is an appeal – powerful and passionate … pleading for God’s people to repent of sin and turn to God … chapter 1:1-2 – vs 6-11
The key thought of Malachi: Malachi 2:17
I. An appeal in viewing their present sin: chap. 1-2
A. God speaks; the priests are appealed to: 1:6 – 2:9
1. 1:8: they offered what they didn’t want, to the Lord
2. 1:14: what they offered to the Lord was corrupt
B. Malachi speaks (message from the Lord) 2:10-17
1. They wearied the Lord: 2:17
2. They said the evil was good: 2:17
II. An appeal in viewing the Coming Day: chap. 3-4
A. God will judge the guilty on that Day
1. God will send His messenger to prepare the way – 3:1
2. John the Baptist was that messenger
3. The Day of His coming:- 3:2
4. This is the 1st coming of Christ
5. The religious leaders and people had sank to a new low of formalism and being
nonchalant about the things of God; they were living in hypocrisy.
6. God will judge: 3:4-5
7. God changes not; He is always the same: 3:6
8. Tithing is taught: 3:8-11. Note: vs 11: I Corinthians 16:1-2
B. God will bless the Godly in that Day
1. Vs 14: the ungodly find it vain to serve God
2. Vs 16-17: the Godly belong to God
3. God will send Elijah: 4:5
4. The appeal: 4:4-6
Malachi ends the Old Testament with a final promise of the coming of Christ; then we have
400 years of silence.
Next, the New Testament opens in the fulfillment of the prophecy with the first coming of Christ, with John the Baptist paving the way.
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The Book Of Zechariah
Introduction: Like Haggai, Zechariah was a prophet to the Jewish remnant that returned after the 70 year exile. Much of Zechariah is to be interpreted in light of related prophecy. This Book is surpassed in prophecies of Christ only by the Book of Isaiah.
The man and the Book: The name Zechariah means: remembered of the Lord.
His work began approximately 2 months after Haggai’s and their works parallel each other. Most of this Book is made up of eight (8) visions encouraging the rebuilding of the Temple and four (4) visions of the Messianic Kingdom.
Eight Visions
I. The Rider On The Red Horse – Chap. 1
A. Vs 8: Myrtle Trees = an emblem of peace; intimating that all war was to end shortly
B. Vs 8: The Man = Vs 9 “oh my lord” “And the angel that talked with me …”
Vs 11-12: the angel of the Lord. … This man is the pre-incarnate Christ, the second
person of the Trinity.
C. Vs 8: riding = implies swiftness in executing God’s will in His providence; hastening to
help His people.
D. Vs 8: “in the bottom …” = in a low place or by the river bottom, as in “bottom land”.
The Euphrates and Tigris River in Babylon, was the scene of Judah’s captivity.
E. Red Horse = this implies bloodshed – this implies the vengeance that will come upon the
enemies of Israel.
F. Vs 8: red horses “speckled and white” = the white implies victory and triumph for Judah
Speckled = from a Hebrew word meaning “to intertwine” the red was mixed with the white
which shows the wrath (red) about to come upon Judah’s enemies and “triumph” (white)
for Judah.
G. Vs 16: prophecy of the Lord’s return and the Temple to be rebuilt
II. The Four Horns – Four Carpenters – chap. 1:18- 21
A. Vs 18: Horns are symbols of power
1. Four horns = the four (4) powers that had oppressed the Jews: Babylon, Persia,
Chaldea, and Egypt.
2. The head of each power is their king; so a horn also represents the king of each nation
B. Vs 20-21: carpenters = craftsman or an engraver. They work in brass and iron as well as
working in wood.
1. These are four other powers who would defeat the powers represented by the four
horns
2. Vs 21: “these are come to fray …” the carpenters will “fray” or beat down, to destroy,
the horns.
NOTES: God will always find men to do his work – there were horns to be cut off. Here are the carpenters or artificers; God will always find the right sort of men. God choose men of ability to empower them to do His will and to defeat the enemy..
God will always find enough men to do His work and His will. There were four horns, so are there four smiths to beat them to pieces. Empires which have opposed the Lord have been crushed to powder, it always be so. No power can stand against the Lord of Hosts.
III. The Man With The Measuring Line – Chap. 2
A. The City of Jerusalem shall be (future tense) restored and made bigger or enlarged: 2:2-5
B. Those Jews exiled will return to the Land: 2:6-7
C. Jehovah God will protect His people and He will make their enemies a “spoil:” 2:8-9
D. Many nations will be converted or joined to the Lord: 2:10-13
E. Man with a measuring line: 2:1
1. He is also represented in Ezekiel 40:3
2. He is found in Revelation 21:15 & Ezekiel 41:1-26
3. There are several other Scriptures which represent this … The Man is none other than
God Himself. The Jews are, here, encouraged to go forward with the building of the
Temple and they are also encouraged for future restoration.
V. Visions Four Through Eight
A. Four: Joshua, the High Priest and satan- chap. 3
1. This pictures the removing of iniquity and the future glory of Israel
2. When we stand before God, to serve Him, or stand up for God, we must expect to
meet all the resistance satan’s subtlety and malice can give to us
3. Vs 3: filthy garments = their removal is symbolic of the removing of iniquity from
Joshua … representing his people.
B. Five: The golden candlestick and the two olive trees -chap. 4
1. Vs 2: candlestick is light = Israel was to send forth the light of the Gospel;
the Temple was to be rebuilt – vs 9 – so that the Word of God could be sent forth as a
light shining in a world full of the darkness of sin.
2. Vs 11-14: reference to Revelation 11:3-4
C. Six: The Flying roll; 5:1-4
1. This represents the Word of God that judges
2. Vs 2: 30’ X 14’
3. Vs 4: The Word of God goes against sin and wickedness
D. Seven: the “epah” vs 6, was the old time Jewish symbol for trade and the woman,
1. Vs 7: the two women, vs 9; represent Babylonian corruption which leavened the
commerce of the remnant that had returned. The two women, more specifically, are
sent to carry away the corrupt woman.
2. Vs 9: Stork = an unclean bird
E. Eight: The Four War Chariots; chap. 6:1-8
1. The judgment of the Lord upon the nations
2. Vs 9-15: Joshua is crowned as a type of Christ … the immediate meaning of that is
simply: Jehovah God, as He sends forth His chariot judgment on the Gentile powers that
surrounded Israel, has returned with mercies and gracious promises to His remaining
people.
3. Vs 1: four chariots represent swift coming, Divine judgment
4. Four angels driving the chariots are … vs 5, the four spirits of the heavens.
NOTES: The underlying idea that runs throughout this prophecy is summed up in chapter 1:14-16. This Book takes us to the immediate need of God’s people to the ultimate fulfillment at Christ’s second Coming. We also can realize why these passages are relating to the future is that when the Messiah came and offered Himself to His people, Israel, they rejected Him and crucified Him.
V. The Law And The Restoration And Enlargement Of Israel: chap. 7-8
A. To obey is better than fasting: chap. 7:1-7
B. Their past misery was because of their disobedience: 7:8-14
C. The people need restoration: chap. 8
VI. The Four Visions Of The Messianic Kingdom: chaps. 9-14
A. The Messianic King: chap. 9-10
B. The rejected Shepherd: chap. 11
C. The restored and penitent people: chaps. 12-13
D. Summarized events when Christ returns in glory: chap. 14
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The Book Of Habakkuk
The Human Writer: Habakkuk prophesied during the later years of King Josiah. He also lived during the time of Jeremiah. The name Habakkuk means: “embracing.”
Habakkuk speaks to God concerning Habakkuk’s concerns about God’s working among the nations. Habakkuk 1:4; 1:13 = why do the wicked prosper?
The Central Message of the book: Chapter 2:4b “… but the just shall live by his faith.”
Background: The Assyrian Empire had fallen as Nahum had prophesied: Egypt and Babylon were trying to dominate the world. The Babylonians and Chaldeans were united together under King Nebuchadnezzar and would conquer Judah.
Habakkuk could not understand why a nation like Babylon, with all its wickedness, could conquer a nation like Judah. After all, Judah’s sins were not as bad as Babylon’s sins.
This seemed like evil was wining out over good. So, God shows Habakkuk His plan.
Brief outline of this Book
- The Burden Chap. 1 The apparent triumph
- The Vision Chapter 2
Coming punishment of the Chaldeans
III. The Prayer – Chap. 3
Confidence that God is coming
- The Burden
- Chap. 1:1: he saw
- Vs 2: he cried
- Vs 2: he did not believe that God heard his cry of prayer
- Vs 2: why does not God save?
- He wonders why the wicked prosper?
- The Chaldeans are bitter and nasty: Vs 6 – 7
- Vs 9: they come for violence.
- The Vision
- Chap. 2:4: “… the just shall live by his faith.”
This verse is quoted 3 X’s in the New Testament
- Chap. 2:14: The earth filled with God’s glory
- Chap. 2:20: The Lord … in His Holy Temple: Psalm 11:4
III. The Prayer
- Chap. 3:2: Revive Thy work
- We find Habakkuk praising God, who will always work things out for His glory and
honor. Our part, take time to talk to Him in prayer; study His Word; wait patiently
for Him.
Five Woe’s In The Book Of Habakkuk
- A Woe against aggression: 2:5-8.
This speaks of the doom, some think, of Nebuchadnezzar, who was principally active in the
destruction of Jerusalem
- A Woe against covetousness 2:8-11
- A Woe against violence: 2:12-14. Vs 14 is from Isaiah 11:9.
Vs 13, all the Babylonian cities will be burnt down: Jeremiah 51:58.
God defeats the enemy and in vs 14, the Word of God is spread.
- A Woe against drinking and inhumanity: 2:15-17.
A Twofold teaching here:
- The king of Babylon was drunken with covetousness and cruelty. He provoked others to
do the same, and inflamed them by his madness, and so in the end brought them to shame.
- Drinking alcohol can produce drunkenness.
Drunkenness produces stupid actions: Proverbs 23:29-33.
Vs 30: “mixed wine” = mixing wine with other ingredients to make it stronger.
It usually takes 3-7 days to ferment
Vs 31: “red’ = fermented.
- A Woe against idolatry: 2:18-20
Basic lesson from this Book: We can rejoice and we should rejoice in spite of our unpleasant circumstances. Give your burdens to the Lord and wait on Him for a solution to your problems.
Realize, what we consider as our “problems” are really an opportunity for God to show His power in our lives.
It would be good for you to read Chapter 4 of the book of Philippians as a help to this.
God can take what we consider “problems” and use it for His honor, glory and His good.
I Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.”
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The Book Of Nahum
Human Writer: Nahum – his name means – “Consolation” or “Comfort.”
He lived during the times of Zephaniah, Habakkuk and Jeremiah. Nahum prophesied during the time when Hezekiah was king.
Message or theme: The destruction of the City of Nineveh. The Book of Nahum was written about 150 years after the great revival in Nineveh.
Nineveh was destroyed about 100 years later – just as predicted by the Prophet Nahum.
The City: Probably not the largest city during the time of Nahum.. The people had repented under the preaching of Jonah – But …. they went back into their old sins.
That is why God sent Nahum to preach to them final judgment.
The Assyrians were a worldly and sensual people as well as arrogant. Their empire was built by use of violence and brutality. Note: Nahum 3:1-3
Basic Lesson For Us: God is very well aware of the oppression that Christians suffer and He will repay the wicked for oppression of His people. Romans 12:19-21
Outline Of This Book
I. The Doom Of Nineveh – chap. 1
II. Siege And Fall Of Nineveh – chap 2
III. The Cause Of Nineveh’s Ruin – Sin – chap. 3
I. The Doom Described
A. Chapter 1:2-3: The whirlwind and the storm
B. Chapter 1:6-8: Fire – rocks – overrunning flood – darkness
II. The Siege And Fall Of The City
A. Vs 2: The emptiers, brought them from their land into captivity
B. Vs 2: Marred their vine branches: destroyed all the fruit of their land
C. Vs 3-4: A fierce battle will rage
1. Made red: the ancients dyed their bull’s-hide shields red, partly to strike terror into
the enemy, chiefly lest the blood from wounds which they might receive should be
perceived and give confidence to the foe
2. Vs 4: chariots … with flaming torches; that is, the chariots shall be like flaming
torches, their wheels in lightning-like rapidity of rotation flashing light and striking
sparks from the stones over which they pass (pt 1 & 2 quote from Jamieson – Fausset
Brown)
III. The Cause Of Nineveh’s Ruin
A. The sins of that great city are
1. Murder 3:1
2. Whoredom and witchcraft: 3:4
3. Wickedness: 3:19
B. God’s judgment: Vs 5
1. He will expose their sin
2. It was an ancient custom to strip prostitutes naked, or throw their clothes over their
heads and expose them to public view
3. Nineveh will be stripped of her glory and defenses: the things that the city had pride in
C. Nineveh’s future: 3:19
1. No healing of thy bruise = the city will never be rebuilt
2. Shall clap the hands = rejoice in your down fall
3. bruit of thee = the report of what’s happened to Nineveh
For hundreds of years, most scholars thought that the City of Nineveh was a myth. In 1845, the ruins of Nineveh were found. The mounds across from the Tigris river from Mosul was confirmed to be the ruins of Nineveh.
This Book also teaches that: Even though the ungodly will prosper for a time – God’s judgment will come and God will deliver His people.
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Introduction: Micah lived during the time of Isaiah, the prophet.
His name means: “Who is like Jehovah.”
Isaiah was a learned man and ministered to the upper classes while Micah ministered more to the lower classes from which he came.
The Book: It was written during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
It shows judgment for idolatry. This Book followed the lead of most of the prophets and spoke of the ultimate triumph of God’s grace and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to the faithful remnant.
Date: 750 – 710 B.C.
This Book contributed to the revival under King Hezekiah: (Jeremiah 26:18-19).
NOTE: chapter 1:2 “Hear” 3:1 “Hear” – 6:1 “Hear”
Brief Outline Of The Book
I. Coming Judgment Declared – chaps 1-3
II. Future Blessing Promised – chaps 4-5
III. Repentance Pleaded – chaps 6-7
Note: Micah Chapter 7; the prophet pleads for repentance: what was their sin?
Micah 7:1-2: “… they lie in wait for blood …” = ambush – they have a plot;
“… they hunt every brother with a net.” = They set a trap for a brother
Micah 7:3: “… he uttereth his mischievous desire …” The sin of the “tongue” = gossip and sowing discord.
Micah 7:4: “… best … a briar …” = they are useless at best.
Micah 7:5-7: Vs 5; “Trust not in a friend …” = even the most intimate will betray each other, when they can hope to serve themselves by it.
Vs 6: “… a man’s enemies are men of his own house.” = The state of unnatural lawlessness in all relations of life is here described which is to characterize the last times, before Messiah comes.
Cross references: Proverbs 10:12 – 13:10 – 15:18 – 16:28 – 22:10 – 28:25-26
Galatians 5:17-20 & 6:7-8 – Philippians 2:1-3 & 14-16
James chapter 3 / Micah 7:3 “uttereth mischievous desire …” = The tongue
Central message of the Book: Present judgment and future blessing
Lesson: The Gentile nations will be blessed also during the last days of the regathering of
Israel; 4:1-2
I. Man’s peace brings destruction
A. Micah is speaking here of the future – after the second coming of Christ.
B. The only real and true peace comes from Jesus Christ: John 16:33
1. “Ye shall have …” The Greek word “echo”
2. It will happen over and over and over and over.
3. That’s what the world’s peace brings to us.
C. There is PEACE in “knowing that you are saved”
D. There is PEACE in knowing that you are in God’s will after you are saved.
II. The Requirements Of God: Micah 6:8
A. The Bible speaks about duties
1. The duty of marriage
2. The duty of everyday living for and serving the Lord
B. The whole “Duty” of man: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
1. “whole” = entire – our obligation to God
2. DUTY is something required = obedience to God in all areas of life
C. Our duty is summed up in this … Matthew 22:35-40
1. This means to be willing to give up your life to him, and to devote it all to His service;
to live for Him
2. If we love God as we should; we will have no trouble in obeying Him; serving Him
3. If a Christian’s heart is right with God, you will have no trouble being obedient in ALL
things
4. you will quit making excuses for not doing what you should do or why you’re not
doing it.
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The Name Jonah: Means Dove
Jonah was from the Northern Kingdom. His hometown was 3 miles from the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem.
The first mention of Jonah: II Kings 14:25
The Book: It shows that the love of God and the redemption of man is not just for the Jew … but for ALL who will repent.
Date: Approximately 862 B.C.
Ninevah: At this time – the capital of the Assyrian Empire at its height. Until its fall in 612 B.C.
it was the greatest city of that time.
Within its walls were gardens and groves; vast, lush pastures; splendid temples and palaces.
Its walls were 40-50’ high following 2 miles down the Tigris River; then 8 miles around the inner city = 20 sq. miles.
They had their own water system. The Kings Palace contained 71 rooms with walls lined with sculptured slabs.
Chapter 4:11: there were 120,000 infants. The total population is estimated at between 400,000 & 500,000 people.
Jonah 1:2: It was a wicked city.
Jonah 3:3: It was 3 days journey through that great city
Jonah 3:5: The people repented, so … Why did Jonah run?
Brief Outline Of The Book
I. Fleeing – chap. 1
II. Praying – chap. 2
III. Preaching – chap 3
IV. Learning – chap. 4
Jonah knew of the prophecy regarding the Assyrians. Their capitol; was Nineveh – a rising power during Jonah’s time. One day, they would destroy Israel, Jonah’s homeland. Jonah also knew of the savagery of the Assyrians – their brutality, unspeakable torture, and killing of those they conquered.
God tells Jonah to preach to those murderous savages so that they would be saved; knowing that one day …. they would conquer his people. Jonah was willing to spare his people; give up everything of importance to him and sacrifice his own life, if necessary, for Israel. He knew that if he preached and they got saved; God would spare Nineveh and Israel’s fate would be sealed.
Jonah was wrong for putting his people first and obedience to God second. We must obey God, even if it doesn’t make sense to us …. even if we don’t understand it …. even if we don’t like the outcome of it.
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Introduction: We have no history regarding Obadiah – not even his father’s name. We find more than a dozen other Obadiah’s in the Bible, but none are identified with this one. He is a man of obscurity that was used of God to pronounce one thing: God’s judgment on Edom and final restoration of Judah under God’s Kingdom.
The name Obadiah means – Servant of Jehovah.
The Book: It is the shortest writing of the prophets and the smallest Book of the Old Testament. It’s primary concern is with God’s judgment upon Edom for their alliance with Babylon against their own kin: Israel. Then, the plundering and destruction of Jerusalem, by Babylon.
Date: An exact date is not found. We can speculate that it was written around 887 B.C.
Edom: During Obadiah’s time, the capitol was Petra … the Rock City.
I. The Day Of The Lord Is Near
A. Every eye shall see Him: Rev. 1:7
B. He comes as a thief: II Peter 3:10-12
C. Paul looked for it: Phil. 3:20
D. We are to wait for His coming: I Thess. 1:10
E. No man knows when He will return: Matt. 24:36
II. Rewards When He Returns: Obadiah 1:15
A. Galatians 6:7: Reap what you sow
B. Rev. 22:12: He brings rewards
C. I Cor. 3:14-15: Rewards can also be taken away from us
1. Build a work for Christ that will last
2. Our works will be tested by the refiner’s fire: I Peter 1:7
Even though Obadiah looked for the second Coming; Paul looked for it; the early Christians looked for it; you and I should look for the Second Coming. We must remember; God is on HIS time table and not ours.
God, in His wisdom and timing, still has a work to do; a work for you and me to do.
God must be waiting for something, what it is, we don’t know and it is not for us to know or we’d know it.
Genesis 7:4 & 10: for some reason, God gave 7 more days of Grace before He flooded the earth.
Today, He is still a God of Grace. God patiently waits for souls to receive Christ as Saviour.
He patiently waits for Christians to do a work for God, to live for Jesus, to win souls.
But …. He is Coming: Mark 13:32-33
Vs 2-3: God made them small, vs 2, because of their sinful pride: vs 3
Vs 2: they are despised, scorned, contemptible.
Vs 3: They deceived themselves by their own sinful pride
They dwelt in the clefts of the rocks … Petra … the capitol city was a Rock City.
Their houses were mostly cut into the rocks.
Vs 4: Pride MUST be brought down. No matter how high they tried to exalt themselves…
God WILL bring them down
Vs 5: The enemies of Edom have ravaged them more than thieves and robbers would have
Vs 6: Even the things that they hid in caves etc. were found and ravaged: I Corinthians 4:5
Vs 7: Brought to their border = they were hemmed in, on every side, by their enemies.
“They that eat thy bread” = they pretended to be their friends but in all reality: they
joined together to destroy them.
“laid a wound” = laid a trap or placed a snare.
“none understanding” = they we so foolish – they could not see their danger
Vs 8: The Edomite’s were remarkable for wisdom, counsel, and prudence.
When God purposes to destroy a nation for its sins, He commonly removes from it the
wise and prudent, and gives it over to weak and foolish counsels: Jeremiah 49:7.
Vs 9: The wise men will be destroyed by a violent death
NOTE: The problem here – is the sinful pride of Edom. In verses 1-16, we read of the destruction of Edom because of their sin. Proverbs 6:16-20 – Proverbs 8:13
Arrogancy means “swelling.” Or like “he has the big head.”
Verses 17-21: We read of the salvation of Israel.
Vs 17: Deliverance: Psalms 2:6
Holiness = they shall return to God and separate themselves from idols
The promise of God – in the Palestinian Covenant – to take what God has rightfully given
to Israel.
Vs 18: Isaiah 10:17: God’s power to consume his enemies properly belongs only to himself.
As a people and a nation, they shall be destroyed. It does not refer to every individual.
Vs 19 – 21: Obadiah ends his prophecy with a promise of the restoration of Israel and the
Messianic Kingdom.
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Introduction: Amos was a Jew who prophesied in the Northern Kingdom. Amos was not from the school of the prophets – he had no formal training. He was also a herdsman and a farmer. Yet, he had the same Divine Spirit of God upon him that influenced Isaiah and Daniel etc. God uses anybody that makes themselves available to Him. Remember, God gives abilities to us when we yield to Him. God can and wants to use you.
Date: This was written from 787 – 797 B.C.
The Book: Written during the reign of King Uzziah in Israel after Amos had been expelled from the Northern Kingdom for his bold preaching in Bethel.
Amos deals with the Judgments on the cities surrounding Palestine; Judah and Israel; Jehovah God’s dealing with the family of Jacob and the future glory of the Davidic kingdom.
- The Message Of The Book: Amos 3:1-3
- The context is this: Can you have God’s presence while you walk contrary with Him?
- In Amos day, God’s people broke sweet communion and fellowship with God.
- God did not break it from them, they broke from God: that’s sad.
- How can a child of God have the power of God on him while not fellowshipping with God.
- You cannot walk with God if you are not living for God in your daily life.
- Can you have God’s presence while you walk so contrary to him?
- Hate The Evil And Love The Good: Amos 5:14-15
- The choice between evil and good has gone on since Adam and Eve in the Garden in Genesis 3.
- Joshua exhorted God’s people to choose between good and evil in Joshua 24:15
- “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord …..”
- To some, they like the evil better than the good; that’s why we have so much hatred in this world.
a So much war
b.So much violence
c. So much murder
d.So much immorality
e. Abortion/murder of the unborn is into the millions
f. It becomes evil in the sight of people for God’s people to do good
g. Joshua exhorted the Israelites: God’s people, not the heathen, to choose between Gods and the false gods. The gods that they worshipped before God redeemed them and delivered them. The Israelites had a problem: sin. They couldn’t decide whether to go back and live in sin or to go forward and serve the God that had saved them.
h. Amos 5:15: hate ALL evil among God’s people: I Thessalonians 5:22.
i. Love, commend, encourage, defend the GOOD. Let your heart be towards good things.
Psalms 34:14 and Psalms 34:8
Paul refused to eat meat offered to idols: I Cor. 8:1 & 10:13-14
There was nothing wrong with the meat itself: I Cor. 8:4.
Vs 7-10: be careful lest we tempt others to fall into sin and false doctrine
Sometimes, it is not the thing itself that is the sin, but where we are or what we do with it: that is the sin.
Be careful where we go, what we say and what we do lest we become a hindrance to
someone and they not be saved. I Cor. 6:12 and I Cor. 10:23
III. God Always Keeps His Promises Amos 9:13-15
- God reminded Israel of what He has in store for them in the future.
- God’s Word also reminds us of what He has in store for those who have received Him as Saviour.
- A perfect salvation
- Salvation that lasts: He won’t cast us out
- Blessings and benefits: here and now
- The Comforter – the Holy Spirit to teach, guide and empower us John 14:6: a home in Heaven.
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Introduction: Joel lived during the time of the Prophet Elisha; approximately 800 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Joash was king.
The Name Joel: Means “Jehovah is God.” He prophesied mostly about Jerusalem and Judah.
Date: Approximately 800 B.C.
- The Plague Of Locust: Chap. 1:11-2:11
- Chap. 2:1-11 references to revelation 16:14
- This refers to Armageddon
- Vs 11: references to Revelation 19:11-21
- Joel calls for repentance: 2:12-17
- Repentance is a turning back to God as well as a turning from our sin.
- The sin that keeps us from Gods blessings.
- The sin that hinders our sweet fellowship with the Lord.
- The sin that hinders our spiritual progress.
- Prophecy 2:28
“Afterward “= in the last days
- “Pour out my Spirit”
- This prophecy was fulfilled in Acts 2:15 -21
- Acts 2:16: “this is that”
- “this” = the happenings of Acts 2:1-14.
- The Day of Pentecost begins the “Last Days”, according to this fulfilled prophecy.
- The local New Testament Church was empowered on the Day of Pentecost
- Acts 2:41: 3,000 souls saved – baptized and added to the local church.
- That particular local church was the one in Jerusalem in Acts 1:15.
The Last Days
- Afterwards: Joel 2:28 – this is the last days of Acts 2:17
- Joel 2:28 was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, therefore, the Last Days began on the Day of Pentecost.
- This means that we have been living in the Last Days for over 2,000 years
- We are living, I believe, in the last part of the Last Days.
- We are to LOOK for the return of Jesus Christ.
- We are to LIVE for Jesus until His return.
NOTES: Joel 3:14: “Valley of Decision.” The valley in which they are to meet their “determined doom.” The same as “the valley of Jehoshaphat,” that is, “the valley of judgment.”
This is the place where God executes His judgment upon His enemies.
People have decisions to make – to be saved or remain unsaved. Christians also have decisions –
Once we are saved, do I live for the Lord or not. Will I be faithful or remain unfaithful. How long will I serve Him?
Joel tells of the effects of the plagues, past and future. He looks beyond them to plagues of Israel’s enemies to come and calls Israel to repentance. Then, he looks to the end times and God’s triumph over Israel’s final enemies and the promise of God’s blessings upon Israel and the gentile believers.
FAITH - HOPE - FORGIVENESS by Growing Older 