Sowing and Reaping
(Obadiah)
The Prophet Obadiah Looks Out Over Edom
Artist Unknown
Today’s Bible reading covers the shortest book of the Old Testament, the prophetic book of Obadiah. These 21 verses introduce the Scriptural concept of sowing and reaping. According to God’s own Word, the seeds we plant in our lives will determine the fruit that we bear, either for good or for evil.
Tagged a minor prophet, pointing to the brevity of his book, Obadiah foretold the divine destruction of Edom, based on Edom’s mistreatment of God’s own people. Obadiah’s prophecy displayed the principle of sowing and reaping, for consequences or rewards. In Edom’s case, the outcome was its downfall.
"The day of the Lord is near for all nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you;
your deeds will return upon your own head.”
God is love. How we enjoy pointing to His mercy and grace, as well we ought. At the same time, however, God is righteousness and justice. The Lord is jealous for His own glory, and He well deserves it. Mistreatment of His people incites His righteous anger.
How often do we consider the judgment of God?
Do we ponder the potential of the Lord’s own appraisal of our actions? Do we even comprehend the many ways we may fall short of His divine standard? Do we dare to cheapen His mercy by our own flippancy? Our Heavenly Father paid the highest price possible to purchase us from our own selves, nailing His own Son to Calvary’s cross. May we yet doubt the power of His holy wrath?
Although our eternal salvation does not depend upon our own works, but only on the finished work of our redeeming Savior Jesus Christ, our actions and attitudes still count. We will still be called to account for our lives, when the season of rewards arrives. Do we not desire to amass riches in Heaven, so we may gratefully lay such treasures at the nail-scarred feet of our beloved Bridegroom?
The biblical principle of sowing and reaping, as it appears in the New Testament, includes a much broader definition than Obadiah’s Old Testament announcement.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.
The one who sows to please his sinful nature,
from that nature will reap destruction;
the one who sows to please the Spirit,
from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
(Galatians 6:7-10, NIV, emphasis added)
Which would we rather incur, divine blessing or discipline? Would we not choose to seek to honor the Lord and please Him, instead of tending to our own temporal desires? If we consider our lives as gardens, would we rather plant seeds of fruitfulness or seeds of weeds?
May the Great Gardener guide our sowing, so He may be pleased with His harvest among us.
Will you pray with me?
Great God,
Our loving Father
And only Just Judge,
How we desire to please You.
Make us holy,
Even as You are holy.
Change our hearts
And our minds,
So that we will seek to sow
Seeds of goodness,
Giving You glory
In our actions and our attitudes.
We adore You.
Thank You for Calvary’s cross,
Where You saved us
From ourselves.
Sow Your seeds
Of love and mercy
Within us.
We praise You.
Amen.
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