Copyright © Cecilia Perh

Copyright © Cecilia Perh What Obadiah Says About Edom’s FutureIsrael’s Future 15 the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations 15 As you have done, it will be done to you 15 Your dealings will return on your own head 16 as you drank on God’s holy mountain, all the nations will drink continually and swallow and become as if they had never existed 18 the house of Esau will be as stubble and be set on fire and consumed by the house of Jacob 18 there will be no survivor of the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken 19 the mountain of Esau will be possessed by those of the Negev 19 the Philistine plain will be possessed by those of the Shephelah 19 the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria will be possessed by those of the Shephelah 20 the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Will possess the cities of the Negev 21 the mountain of Esau will be judged by the deliverers 16 Edom drank on Yahweh’s holy mountain 17 on Mount Zion there will be those who escape 17 Mount Zion will be holy 17 the house of Jacob will possess their possessions 18 the house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame to consume Edom 19 those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau 19 those of the Shephelah will possess the Philistine plain 19 they will possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria 19 Benjamin will possess Gilead 20 the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath will possess the cities of the Negev 29 the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev 21 the deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau 21 the kingdom will be the LORD's.

Copyright © Cecilia Perh Edom’s FutureIsrael’s Future The Land of Edom streams turned to pitch & earth to brimstone, land become burning pitch – not quenched night or day, smoke go up forever (Isa 34:9-10) desolate from generation to generation (Isa 34:10,11; Jer 49:20) everlasting desolation, cities uninhabited (Ezek 35:9,13,14); desolate wilderness (Joel 3:19), mountains made desolate (Mal 1:3) none pass thro’ forever; no nobles or princes, no inhabitants (Isa 34:10,12; Jer 49:18) only thorns, nettles & thistles in its fortified towers & cities (Isa 34:13) possessed by pelican, hedgehog, owl & raven, haunt of jackels & ostriches, desert creatures, wolves, hairy goat, night monster, tree snake, hawks (Isa 34:11,13-15; Mal 1:3) Bozrah/Edom will be an object of horror, a reproach, a ruin & a curse, & all its cities perpetual ruins (Jer 49:13,17), laid waste (Ezek 35:4,7) mountains, hills, valleys & ravines filled with the slain by the sword (Ezek 35:8) The Edomites exalted themselves, conspired with her allies to wipe out Israel (Ps 83:2-8), to possess the pastures of God (Ps 83:12) incurred guilt by taking vengeance against Judah (Ezek 25:12) rejoiced at the destruction of Jerusalem (Ps 137:7) to be ashamed, dismayed forever, humiliated & perish (Ps 83:18) short-term deliverance from Assyria but followed quickly by Babylonian domination (Isa 21:11-12) the people devoted to destruction & slaughter (Isa 34:5-7); total destruction (Jer 49:9-13,17-18,20) man & beast cut off by sword (Ezek 25:13-14); loved bloodshed, therefore given over to bloodshed (Ezek 35:6); their lifeblood sprinkled on the LORD’s garments, trodden down in His anger, made drunk in His wrath (Is 63:2-5; Lam 4:21) iniquity will be punished & sins exposed (Lam 4:22) consumed by fire (Am 1:12) The Place of God in Their Midst God’s enemies, hate God, against God (Ps 83:2,3,5) do not know God, but will know He is the Most High over all the earth in the day of their judgment (Ps 83:18; Ezek 35:4) to be judged by the LORD in anger & wrath (Isa 63:1-6) “hated” by God, i.e., not chosen for intimate fellowship with Him (Mal 1:3) called “the wicked territory, the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever” (Mal 1:4) The Land of Israel breaches walled up, ruins raised, rebuilt as of old (Am 9:11) mountains drip with sweet wine, hills flow with milk, & all the brooks of Judah will flow with water; & a spring will go out from the house of the LORD to water the valley of Shittim (Joel 3:18) The Israelites A star/scepter shall rise from Jacob/Israel to crush Edom/Seir (Num 24:17-18) carried off to exile by Babylon & taunted (Ps 137:1-3) punished for their iniquity (Lam 4:22) One shall have dominion & destroy the remnant of Edom (Num 24:19) her dispersed recovered from all over the world (Isa 11:11-12) peace established between Ephraim & Judah (Isa 11:13) – no more jealousy or harassment they will swoop down & possess Edom (Isa 11:14) fallen booth of David will be rebuilt & they will possess the remnant of Edom & all the nations (Am 9:11-12) The Place of God in Their Midst dependent on God to vindicate them (Ps 83) God’s people, His treasured ones (Ps 83:3) The LORD is their avenger (Isa 34:8; 63:4; Ezek 25:12,14) loved by God (Mal 1:2)

Entrusting the Word to the Faithful Copyright © Cecilia Perh Psalm 83: The Coming War? by Bill Koenig August 15, 2001 ( There is a growing number of prophecy experts who believe that the next major war between the Israelis and their Middle East enemies will most likely be a regional war, without superpower backing. I find myself in agreement with this position, based upon Biblical insight, combined with my active “daily eye” on the happenings in Israel. These recent observations have led me to conclude that the Gog and Magog invasion – as prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39 with Russia as a key protagonist – is more likely connected to the final war of Armageddon. Although there continue to be various theories about the predicted Gog and Magog scenario, more and more people are beginning to agree with this conclusion. Having said this, I invite you to revisit, with me, Psalm 83, subtitled “A song. The psalm of Asaph,” in this prose format from the King James Bible: “Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’ For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You: “The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot. Deal with them as with Midian, as with Sisera, as with Jabin at the Brook Kishon, who perished at En Dor, who became as refuse on the earth. Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, ‘Let us take for ourselves the pastures of God for a possession.’ “O my God, make them like the whirling dust, like the chaff before the wind! As the fire burns the woods, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire, so pursue them with Your tempest, and frighten them with Your storm. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD. Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; yes, let them be put to shame and perish, that they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.”

Entrusting the Word to the Faithful Copyright © Cecilia Perh Psalm 83: The Coming War? by Bill Koenig August 15, 2001 ( Asaph begins his psalm by calling out to God to “not be quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.” The reason for his concern is then revealed in the next verses (two through five). This concern could easily be equated with the nations of today’s world, where the only nation who has stood by Israel (although even that is questionable) has been the United States. The oil-rich Arab nations have used their energy trump card to get their way against Israel with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the United Nations (U.N.), the European Union (E.U.) and even the United States-all of whom are dependent upon and lust after the black gold. In the New International Version of the Bible, the translation reads, “See how your enemies are astir, how your foes raise their heads. With cunning, they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.’ With one mind, they plot together; they form an alliance against you.” These enemies that are targeting Israel are their neighbors for the most part, as well as all other Arab nations. Asaph identifies them in verses 6 through 8: “The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; They have become a help to the children of Lot.” Bible scholars tell us that there is no evidence that such a regional war – uniting ten enemies to the north, east, south, and southeast of Israel – ever occurred in ancient times! The “Revised New Bible Commentary” (Eerdmans, 1970) states: “No such widespread alliance of adjacent states, as is described in verses 6-8 (of Psalm 83) is mentioned in the Old Testament.” It appears that this psalm is talking of a military alliance against Israel. The nations that surround Israel and other members of the Arab League today talk with increasing frequency about “eliminating Israel.” An actual military plan is being discussed in a plot against the Kingdom of God. This alliance is very significant. The plan could be an end-time scenario against the Jewish State formed in All the present day descendants were involved in the 1948 and 1967 pre-planned assaults upon Israel.

Entrusting the Word to the Faithful Copyright © Cecilia Perh Psalm 83: The Coming War? by Bill Koenig August 15, 2001 ( Who Are These Enemies? (The following is an adaptation from David Dolan’s “Israel’s Next War” commentary on Psalm 83. It was written on 12/07/2000.) The first seven groups named in Psalm 83 were all located east of Israel. They were tribes whose moving boundaries often overlapped. The first two, Edom and the Ishmaelites, are synonymous today with the entire Arab-Muslim world. This is because both people groups are thought to have migrated further south into the Arabian Peninsula – the seat of Islam. Moreover, Ishmael is a significant figure in Islamic theology. So in modern terms, these names could be referring to Saudi Arabia, which backed front-line Arab forces in 1948 and 1967, and/or to the entire Arab-Muslim world that stretches from Morocco to Oman. Moab was located east of the Dead Sea, with Edom to its south and Ammon to the north. The other listed eastern tribes – the Hagrites, Gebal and Amalek – mingled in this area. The name Ammon, of course, is with us today. It is the capital of Jordan (typically spelled Amman in English). Jordan played a pivotal role in both the 1948 and 1967 wars. Tyre was the leading city of Phoenicia in early Bible times. This area is now part of Lebanon, who was involved in both the Independence and Six-Day wars, although its military contribution was negligible. Southern Lebanon has been the active battle line between Arabs and Jews since the early 1970’s. The Philistines were believed to have sailed from Canaan to the Greek island of Crete, or from the Anatolian region of western Turkey. Wherever they originated, iron-wielding Philistine warriors proved formidable enemies to the Hebrew tribes, but were eventually absorbed by attacking Assyrian forces and disappeared as a separate people group. Philistia was resurrected by the Romans, who applied that name to the Promised Land in an attempt to obliterate the Jewish connection to Zion. This occurred after the Roman legions destroyed Judea in AD 70. The main Philistine town was named Gaza, which today is the current seat of the Palestinian autonomy government, while the Gaza Strip is home to over one million Palestinians. This fact gives us a hint that they are today’s equivalent of the ancient Philistines. The very name “Palestinians” is likely derived from the ancient Philistines.

Entrusting the Word to the Faithful Copyright © Cecilia Perh Psalm 83: The Coming War? by Bill Koenig August 15, 2001 ( Palestinian Arabs were at the center of the wars that broke out in 1948 and If their leaders had accepted the 1947 United Nations partition plan, the neighboring Arab states would have found it difficult to attack the new Jewish State. Since that time, however, Palestinian struggles have offered a major excuse for other Arab states and the Islamic peoples to come against the reborn and enormously productive State of Israel. The last nation mentioned is the Assyrian empire, which acts as “a help to the children of Lot.” The Biblical Hebrew states that Assyria became an extension of Lot’s descendants and covered the enormous territory of several modern countries, ranging from western Iran, to parts of Turkey, most of Syria, and even down to portions of Egypt’s Nile River. Although it was centered in what is known today as Iraq, the capital of Assyria was Nineveh, situated on the banks of the Tigris River. Iraq played a very active role in both the 1948 and 1967 Middle East wars. However, it was mainly a support role, with Iraqi forces backing up those of Jordan and Syria. In that sense, Assyria’s modern equivalent was literally acting as a “helpful arm” to the eastern front-line states. Today, Iraq is a much more dominant force in the region and is more of an instigator than a support vehicle. Syria, according to Jane’s Intelligence Report, has the most advanced chemical weapons in the world. Jordan does not really have an effective military machine and will play more of a support role, if pushed. Their challenge lies in their location next to both Syria and Iraq. A Familiar Scenario In summary, the nations where the ten ancient people groups and tribes mentioned in Psalm 83 live today, are Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian territories within Israel. As the Middle East tensions increase daily, how often do we hear spokesmen from these countries saying, in so many words, “Let us take the pastures of God for a possession.” (Psalm 83:12) To them, Asaph would answer, “Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; yes, let them be put to shame and perish, that they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:17-18)

Copyright © Cecilia Perh Obadiah 1-14 Judgment Pronounced on Edom, The Ruin and Sack of Edom, Nations Destroy Edom, Destruction of Edom (v1-9) v1 The Nations gather against Edom for Battle 1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom – We have heard a report from the LORD, And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, “Arise and let us go against her for battle” – v2-9 The LORD’s Decrees against Edom 2 “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; You are greatly despised. 3 The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, You who live in the clefts of the rock, In the loftiness of your dwelling place, Who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?’ 4 Though you build high like the eagle, Though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. 5 “If thieves came to you, If robbers by night – O how you will be ruined! – Would they not steal only until they had enough? If grape gatherers came to you, Would they not leave some gleanings? 6 O how Esau will be ransacked, And his hidden treasures searched out! 7 All the men allied with you Will send you forth to the border, And the men at peace with you Will deceive you and overpower you. They who eat your bread Will set an ambush for you. (There is no understanding in him.) 8 Will I not on that day,” declares the LORD, “Destroy wise men from Edom And understanding from the mountain of Esau? 9 Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, In order that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter. The Result of God’s Judgment The Sins of Edom Arrogance, Pride in the Heart The Certainty of God’s Judgment Edom’s Dwelling Place The Prophet’s Lament for Edom Nations Conspire Against Edom Edom Greatly Despised by the Nations The Extent of God’s Judgment Illustration #1 Illustration #2 The Blindness of Edom Deceived, Lacking Understanding

Copyright © Cecilia Perh Reasons for Judgment, Warnings for Edom, Edom Despises Israel, Destruction of Israel (10-14) v10-11 Edom’s Past Dealings with Israel 10 “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered with shame, And you will be cut off forever. 11 On the day that you stood aloof, On the day that strangers carried off his wealth, And foreigners entered his gate And cast lots for Jerusalem – You too were as one of them. v12-14 Edom’s Future Dealings with Israel (Forewarned) 12 Do not gloat over your brother's day, The day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah In the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast In the day of their distress. 13 Do not enter the gate of My people In the day of their disaster. Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity In the day of their disaster. And do not loot their wealth In the day of their disaster. 14 And do not stand at the fork of the road To cut down their fugitives; And do not imprison their survivors In the day of their distress. The LORD’s Recompense The Day of the LORD for Israel your brother’s day the day of misfortune the day of destruction the day of distress (2x) the day of disaster (3x) Incidents in the Day of the LORD for Israel violence done brothers stood aloof strangers carried off wealth foreigners entered gate foreigners cast lots for Jerusalem What Edom Will Do Despite Being Forewarned gloat over Jacob’s day, his calamity (2x) rejoice over Judah’s destruction boast in their distress enter Jerusalem loot their wealth stand at the fork of road to cut down fugitives imprison their survivors

Copyright © Cecilia Perh v15-21 The Day of the LORD for The Nations, Edom Dispossessed by Israel, Dispossessions of Edom & the Nations, The LORD Punishes All the Nations v15-16 The Fate of the Nations in the Day of the LORD 15 “For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head. 16 Because just as you drank on My holy mountain, All the nations will drink continually. They will drink and swallow, And become as if they had never existed. 17 But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, And it will be holy. And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions. 18 Then the house of Jacob will be a fire And the house of Joseph a flame; But the house of Esau will be as stubble. And they will set them on fire and consume them, So that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau,” For the LORD has spoken. 19 Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau, And those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain; Also, they will possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria, And Benjamin will possess Gilead. 20 And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Will possess the cities of the Negev. 21 The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion To judge the mountain of Esau, And the kingdom will be the LORD's. The Day of the LORD for the Nations will become as if they never existed the Philistine plain will be dispossessed The Principle of Retribution in the Day of the LORD The Day of the LORD for Edom will become as if he never existed will be consumed no survivor left of the house of Esau dispossessed of the mountain of Esau judged on Mt Zion by deliverers The Future Day of the LORD for Israel those on Mt Zion will escape Mt Zion will be holy house of Jacob will possess their possessions house of Jacob & house of Joseph will consume the house of Esau the land of Israel will be repossessed by the exiles of the sons of Israel deliverers will ascent Mt Zion to judge Esau the Kingdom will be the LORD’s Negev, pastoral land of sparse & scanty springs & small rainfall but with plentiful grazing for camels & goats; land of the nomad. Great routes pass along the coast to the West or up the Arabah to the East. It formed an additional secure barrier for Judah in the South Shephelah, foothills or lowlands between the sea & the highlands, district of rolling hills, very fruitful; crossed by 5 wide valleys furnishing easy access from the plain to Judah & Jerusalem. Point of contention between Israel & the Philistines Sanaria, designation of Northern Israel under Jeroboam Gilead, mountainous region East of Jordan Sepharad, either Spain or Media or Hesperides in Libya or Sardis in Asia Minor