12.29.24 ~ Day of Recompense

Good morning!

Commercial: Shabbat morning zoom call: Ending the Masquerade: Joseph, the picture of the rejected-exalted Savior of the world, uses Spirit led wisdom to bring the family back together again. Do you feel the same process happening in your life?

With the fiscal new year upon us, wars and rumors of wars, changes in the political landscape, Hanukkah like events happening all over the world, end times thoughts are crossing the minds of a lot of people in my circles.

I'm not talking about hell-fire and brimstone language, Sodom and Gomorrah, the end of the world...I'm talking about something much more sobering. There is a day of the Lord for all the nations that is coming soon to a theater near you (Obad. 1:15).

Again, I'm not talking about the end of the world. I'm talking about the day of the Lord/Yom Yahweh; aka the day of judgment. Contrary to popular opinion, it simply means the day that God brings Judgment upon a nation(s); and it can happen and does happen on a regular basis in the lives of people all over the world. It's a constant reminder that God is in charge of all humanity and He will repay the perpetrators as they have done.; both good and bad.

According to Obadiah, there are no exceptions. Every nation is in Yahweh's crosshairs. He has the perfect accounting system (ask Joseph and his brothers (Gen. 37-50). Every individual and nation/goyim that rejects God’s revealed path of righteousness are going to be brought to justice and everyone who supports His rules of justice will be rewarded in like manner.  With either path, there are no exceptions and no escape.  It doesn't matter if you're a Trump supporter, democrat, apolitical, an ethnic or territorial group of people without ascribing a specific religious or moral connotation...we're all included on both ends of the day of judgment spectrum. 

As the 'golden rule' is inclusive (Matt. 7:12), so too Obadiah’s announcement includes each of us! 
For the day of the Lord is near for all the nations. Just as you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head. (Obadiah 1:15)

If we read the whole book of Obadiah (one chapter) we will find that the same atrocities perpetrated upon God’s children will be executed upon those found guilty.  He specifically mentions robbers being robbed, exterminators being exterminated, wanton consumers being consumed (Obad. 1:5)...it's a measure for measure/midah keneged midah.

Be careful not to rush over this verse, as though it's an isolated anomaly. Within every story and salted throughout Scripture is a constant reminder that both good and evil behavior will be revealed for the benefit of the 'doer' (Eccl. 12:14; Rom. 2:16; Jd. 1:14,15; 2 Cor. 5:9-11; Rom. 14:10-13; Matt. 12:36,37; etc.). As believers, we should really consider what kind of payback it really means.  If we, speaking of me, myself and I, were to list all the ways rebellious humanity has rebelled against Torah/God's instructions, we'd have to get a 3 day weekend.  Every one of those will come back to roost on the heads of the rebels and the righteous.  Every horror, every joy.  Every tragedy, every blessing.  Every act of malfeasance, kindness, malice, goodwill, intimidation, approval, exploitation, charity, or abuse, care...For the rebels against the Lord's Word...life will be H.E. Double Hockey Sticks of their own doing. For those who love humanity there will always be a day of heavenly repayment.

I don't need Dante's inferno to scare me into living right. It's enough for me to know that God will bring the day of Judgment any time He seems fit to wake me out of my spiritual stupor. And it's enough to know that He will bring His favor at just the right time. The day of recompense is coming, both for our evil behaviors and good. As we will see with Joseph's brothers in this week's Torah portion, challenging circumstances are not for mere punishment and judgment, but rather to put us on the path of blessing (Gen. 50:20).

As we head into 2025, let's focus on how we can make this world a better place by shining the light against the 'Antiochus Epiphanes' mindset of this world.

Monday, I'll be flying to Florida to speak in Ft. Walton over a 10 day period. Prayer is appreciated and at the end of January I'll be in Honduras for another 10 days. As the Lord leads, pray for me and all facets of my life (spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally and financially).

Shalom!

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