Kindness for the Suffering 怜悯受苦之人
Dexu Xia
You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune. Obadiah 1:12
Today's Scripture Obadiah 1:3-9,12 -13
Today's Insights
Edom’s betrayal of Israel cuts even deeper than one nation taking advantage of another nation’s plight (Obadiah 1:1-13). The nation of Edom descended from Jacob’s twin brother, Esau (Genesis 25:24-30). The tension between the brothers continued throughout their lives, but it’s epitomized in Jacob stealing Esau’s birthright and blessing from their father (25:29-34; 27:1-41). That family tension continued to plague Jacob’s descendants (Israel) for centuries (see Numbers 20:14-21).
The prophecies in Obadiah condemn Edom for rejoicing in God’s judgment against Judah and exploiting their vulnerabilities (Obadiah 1:12-14; see Amos 1:11-12). When someone is suffering, we honor God when we respond with kindness and generosity instead of exploitation
Today's Devotional One of the deadliest wildfires in US history decimated the town of Lahaina, Hawaii, in August 2023, killing ninety-nine people and destroying more than two thousand buildings. Still reeling from the devastation, residents experienced additional trauma when some looters pillaged buildings and greedy realtors attempted to gobble up land.
The corrupt desire to take advantage of tragic circumstances is the backdrop of a strong message from God to the nation of Edom. The prophet Obadiah warned the Edomites, Israel’s enemies for generations (Ezekiel 35:5), of God’s coming justice because the Edomites used their geographic advantage (Obadiah 1:3) and acquired wealth (v. 6), alliances with other nations (v. 7), wisdom (v. 8), and military strength (v. 9) to exploit the weak. Obadiah also rebuked the way Edom gloated as Israel was sent into captivity. Instead of compassion, Edom looted Israelite homes and marched through defeated cities in victory (vv. 12-13).
Although Lahaina residents saw despicable actions, they also experienced kindness when churches on the island became hospitality centers offering shelter, hot meals, and emergency supplies.
When someone is suffering, we face a similar choice. We can try to benefit from their loss. Or we can respond in the way God desires, like the churches in Lahaina, with kindness and generosity.
Reflect & Pray
When have you been tempted to take advantage of someone’s suffering? How does God’s love compel us to kindness?
Dear God, please help me extend kindness when someone is hurting. By Lisa M Samra
你不可在你弟兄遭难的日子幸灾乐祸。（俄巴底亚书 1:12） 今日经文：俄巴底亚书 1:3-9,12-13
今日洞见: 以东背叛以色列的罪行,要趁火打劫更可恶（俄巴底亚书 1:1-13）。以东国是雅各的孪生兄弟以扫的后裔（创世记 25:24-30）。兄弟二人之间的矛盾贯穿了他们的一生，但最典型的例子是雅各从父亲那里夺走了以扫的长子名分和祝福（25:29-34；27:1-41）。这种家族矛盾持续困扰着雅各的后裔（以色列）数个世纪（参见民数记 20:14-21）。 俄巴底亚书中的预言谴责以东因上帝对犹大的审判而欢欣鼓舞，并且趁犹大虚弱时攻击他（俄巴底亚书 1:12-14；参见阿摩司书 1:11-12）。当他人受苦时，我们若以仁慈和慷慨回应，而非乘机剥削，便是荣耀上帝。
今日灵修：2023年8月，美国历史上最致命的野火之一席卷了夏威夷州的拉海纳镇，造成99人死亡，两千多栋建筑被毁。居民们仍在遭受这场灾难的冲击，却又因一些劫掠者洗劫房屋、贪婪的房地产商企图侵吞土地而雪上加霜。
这种企图利用悲剧牟利的腐败欲望，正是上帝向以东国发出强烈警告的背景。先知俄巴底亚警告以色列世世代代的仇敌以东人（以西结书 35:5），上帝必将施行审判，因为以东人利用其地理优势（俄巴底亚书 1:3），积累财富（第6节），与其他国家结盟（第7节），掌握智慧（第8节），并拥有强大的军事力量（第9节），以此来欺压弱者。俄巴底亚还谴责以东人在以色列被掳时幸灾乐祸的行为。以东人非但没有怜悯，反而掠夺以色列人的家园，并在战败的城邑中凯旋而归（第12-13节）。
尽管拉海纳的居民目睹了这些卑劣的行径，但他们也感受到了上帝的仁慈：岛上的教会成为接待中心，为人们提供庇护、热餐和紧急物资。
当有人遭受苦难时，我们也面临着类似的抉择。我们可以试图从他们的苦难中获利，也可以像拉海纳的教会那样，以仁慈和慷慨来回应上帝的旨意。
反思与祷告 你是否想过利用他人的苦难牟利？神的爱如何激励我们行善？ 亲爱的神，请帮助我在他人受苦时伸出援手。——丽莎·M·萨姆拉