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How Are The Obadiah and Isaiah Prophecies Are Now Being Fulfilled?
The **Book of Obadiah** is the shortest in the Old Testament, and it contains a prophecy against the kingdom of **Edom**. Here are some key points about Obadiah:
1. **Authorship**: The author of Obadiah is believed to be a prophet named **Obadiah**, whose name means "the servant of the Eternal." Although there are several men named Obadiah in Scripture, scholars cannot definitively identify any of them as the author of this book. However, Obadiah's emphasis on **Jerusalem** throughout the prophecy suggests that he likely came from somewhere near the holy city in the southern kingdom of **Judah**.
2. **Context and Date**: Dating the book accurately is challenging due to the limited historical information within it. However, scholars generally place Obadiah in the **840s BC**, making him one of the earliest writing prophets. During this time, Edom rebelled against King Jehoram of Judah, and foreign powers invaded Jerusalem. Obadiah's prophecy reflects this context, emphasizing judgment on Edom for its treachery toward Israel.
3. **Focus on Edom**: The majority of Obadiah pronounces judgment on Edom, making it one of only three prophetic books primarily focused on other nations (the others being Nahum and Habakkuk). While other prophets also address Edom's actions, Obadiah's singular focus highlights a significant truth: when people oppose God's people, they can expect judgment rather than restoration.
4. **Message**: Despite his name meaning "worshipper of Yahweh," Obadiah pronounced judgment on Edom. The prophecy condemns Edom for its pride, mistreatment of Israel (descendants of Jacob), and participation in plundering Jerusalem during foreign invasions. The Lord promises to judge all nations, including Edom, and restore His Kingdom over Jerusalem and its surrounding territories.
In summary, Obadiah serves as a powerful reminder that God will hold accountable those who oppose His chosen people and that His justice will prevail..
However, the Palestinians have never been the enemies of either God or Israel. On the contrary, there has been many attempts at peace by numerous world leaders for decades that have all been rejected by Israel. Intermittent discussions have been held by various parties in an attempt to resolve the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a peace process. Since the 1970s, there has been a parallel effort to find terms upon which peace can be agreed in both the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Notably, the **Camp David Accords** between Egypt and Israel included discussions on plans for "Palestinian autonomy," although they did not include any Palestinian representatives. While the autonomy plan was not implemented, its stipulations were largely represented in the **Oslo Accords**. Despite the failure of the peace process to produce a final agreement, the international consensus has supported a **two-state solution** for decades. This solution is based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 388, which call for an independent Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders, including East Jerusalem, and a just resolution to the refugee problem based on the Palestinian right of return (by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194). However, the current situation under the interim agreement of the Oslo Accords leaves Palestinian territories fragmented under Israeli military control, with partial self-rule in Area A of the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. A final settlement as stipulated by the Oslo Accords has yet to be reached.
The situation in Gaza is deeply complex and tragic. It's essential to approach this topic with empathy and a desire for peace. While I understand the pain and suffering experienced by both Israelis and Palestinians, it's crucial to seek dialogue, understanding, and peaceful solutions rather than perpetuating violence. Let us hope for a future where all people can coexist in harmony. However, the Book of Obadiah refers to the Day of the Lord when the genocide being committed in Gaza by the Palestinians can hardly be attributed to God when Israel has not sought revenge for October the O7th but has deliberately set out to slaughter as many Palestinians as possible.
Isaiah's prophecies are multifaceted. In the first thirty-nine chapters, Isaiah condemns and confronts his own people for their open defiance against God. He calls out their sins, urging them to return to God and seek righteousness. For example, in Isaiah 1:16-19, he says:
> "Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. ‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land."
However, in the second half of Isaiah (chapters 40-66), we encounter a softer tone filled with messages of hope, comfort, and salvation. These chapters point to Christ's glory, His suffering, and His coming millennial Kingdom. Although Christ is not mentioned by name in Isaiah, numerous descriptions prophetically refer to Him. For instance:
> "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots" (Isaiah 11:1).
The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies is evident in the New Testament. The Apostles and gospel writers—Peter, Matthew, Luke, John, and Paul—recorded how Jesus fulfilled many of Isaiah's prophecies related to the mortal Messiah. By citing these prophecies, they demonstrated that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah foretold by Isaiah seven centuries earlier.
One notable example is found in Matthew 1:22-23:
> "So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet [Isaiah], saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated 'God with us.'"
Isaiah's prophecies continue to resonate with Christians today as we look forward to their complete fulfillment when Messiah Jesus returns to establish God's unending rule—a time when "the wolf shall live with the lamb" (Isaiah 11:6). These ancient words still hold profound significance for believers across generations.
But what are the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecies you are referring to and in what context? In summary, **trying to connect dots without sufficient evidence doesn't prove anything**, but it also doesn't disprove anything. It's essential to remain open-minded while seeking reliable evidence and avoiding unwarranted assumptions.
Blessings
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