It will be a holy place

 “Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape. It will be a holy place” (Obadiah 17, NLT).

Here, the Lord was bringing judgement against the proud that put their trust themselves and their own ways -- Edom. They had swallowed up God’s people, plundered land, seized wealth and gloated about it. They would now reap out of what they had sown.

But in the midst of this judgement, Jerusalem would become a refuge for those who escape this judgement; it will be a holy place. He was speaking here of the exiles finding refuge. Those who had been in bondage and captivity would return and find refuge. They would be set apart for the Lord.

I love that this was God’s purpose behind all of His work. It was not to bring pain and punishment on those who were stubbornly rebellious. But as their activities were eventually coming back upon their own heads, the Lord had opened a way for those who wanted refuge. The work that God was really doing was a work of restoration.

In a book that I am reading called, Gentle and Lowly, the author notes that right in the center of the Bible, Lamentations 3:33, it says, “For he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.” He goes on to write, “There is an implicit premise in this verse and an explicit statement. The implicit premise is that God is indeed the one who afflicts. The explicit statement is that he does not do it from his heart.” [1]

The NLT says, “Though he brings grief, He also shows compassion because of the greatness of His unfailing love. For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.” (vs. 32-33)

As Dane Ortlund suggests in this book, God is naturally deeply compassionate. This is His character in love. But out of this love, like a good parent, He acts in the best interest of those He cares for even when it afflicts them and causes them pain.

When we follow the Lord, our nature will become more and more compassionate. Our desire is not to cause people pain for their sin but bring reconciliation. But at the same time, if we are genuinely loving, we will not overlook unrepented sin and hard heartedness but address it so the person can be set free and come out of it. God never embraced sin and rebellion. Rather He allowed judgment in His mercy to bring righteousness out of it.

In bringing judgement upon Edom, God was merciful and provided a way of escape and refuge for all who wanted it and were willing to grab hold of it. Just like a shadow of salvation today, Obadiah 20-21 says that the exiles will return and settle the land and those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem to rule over the mountains of Edom. Exiles are those who are held in captivity. And Edom is also translated as the “mountains of Esau.” Esau, the older brother of Jacob, had a religious form but he took a position of privilege with his faith while his brother took a position of seeking and hunger for more of God in His life.

Esau did not want more of God in his life, only the privileges that come with it. He wanted to benefit from his religion out of pride and arrogance. He had the right pedigree but did not fear the Lord or love Him. His relationship with God was not a treasure. He was using Him to gain for himself rather than giving His whole life away to gain True Treasure.

Proverbs 8:17-21 says, speaking of Wisdom, which Jesus is the personification of, “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.”

Besides Obadiah, Amos also speaks of this day of restoration that will restore Jerusalem to its former glory, bring back the exiles and overtake Edom and all nations He has called to be His with true righteousness. It is a time of great outpouring where there is returning, restoration, rebuilding and establishment.

Amos 9:13-15 says, “’The time will come,’ says the Lord, ‘when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine. I will firmly plant them there in their own land. They will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them,’ says the Lord your God.”

This speaks to me of immense fruitfulness, of a great harvest of salvation and of empowerment by the Holy Spirit. It speaks of restoration in families and communities. It often speaks to me of where I work and the work God is doing to bring freedom to people who were caught in addiction. He is giving them their own land and it is good! And in being a place of refuge that is holy to the Lord, as the verse that I started with, also speaks of my work as a place of refuge and of us sharing in His compassionate care for others. It is a holy place.

God is taking us all on this journey of being a refuge to others. When we consider how alive in the Spirit we are, one gauge of this is our care for others. If we are spiritually dead or spiritually asleep and lazily caring for spiritual matters, our life will be filled with craving more, coveting and manipulation to get what we want. Yet, none of it will fill us.

When we are genuinely alive and filled with the Spirit, we will know this because we will have a heart to give without restraint. We will have compassion for others and desire to add value and encourage those around us. We will not only have a passion for God but open our hearts to care for others.

Proverbs 21:25- 27 says, “The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!”

Currently, I am dealing with a situation where this is so helpful to see this reflection of God. I have someone I genuinely like and feel God’s compassion towards them. Yet, they have made and continue to make choices that reflect rebellion and hard heartedness that are rooted in coveting. These decisions are impacting them and others in a harmful way but they don’t see it. As a result, I have to deal with the situation even though it may potentially cause them difficulty in their lives by bringing it to the light. Ultimately, if they see it or not, it is for their good and not their harm.

I love that God cares how we even interpret Him in His wrath. He is so patient and longsuffering. He desires that none would perish. It matters to Him that we know that He is compassionate and longsuffering over having to inflict us for our own good. He deepest desire is to pour out His compassion on us and not His wrath. When I pray for revival and that sweet wine to flow freely from His mountain, I forget that He wants this more than me and even gave me the desire!

Lord, let the hills drip with sweet wine! Fill us full of your Spirit and make us more and more alive in You. In this, help us to love others well that we not only bring restoration in our families and communities but overflow in generous giving to all around us. And, let us be a refuge to those who need a place of escape from the elements of the world with encouragement and love. And at the same time, teach us not to enable others but strengthen us to hold others accountable in love.