Elisha Vision – Commentary

You have seen the videos of people rejoicing over the October 7 massacre. Two points need to be understood from the Bible. First, judgement is coming on the wicked according to Obadiah. Second, the rest of us should check our attitude when the judgement comes. My Kenyan friend, Michael Masambu, made a great point on his Facebook post:

“Woe unto those that rejoice over the misfortunes of the Jewish Nation. October the 7th, 2023 will go down in the books of history as the worst day in Israel after the Holocaust. On this day the murderous gangs of Hamas sponsored by bloody thirst Iran infiltrated Israel and murdered in the most brutal way the innocent children, grandparents, the lame and the blind in the Israel territory. When this news was aired, the streets of Tehran were filled with people rejoicing and the government spokesperson praising the murder of the Israelites. As I was thinking about this, these Bible verses came to my spirit. This prophecy is powerful. Tell the enemies of Israel the pain they celebrated has become their portion.”  Michael K. Masambu

As we spoke this morning (before I saw his post) I was reading Obadiah myself. I believe the Lord wants me to confirm his comments with these two Scripture portions. The first was used by Michael in his post.

​“But you should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity; nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah ​​in the day of their destruction; nor should you have spoken proudly in the day of distress. ​​You should not have entered the gate of My people in the day of their calamity.  ​​Indeed, you should not have gazed on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity. ​​You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped; nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress. For the day of Yehovah upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head.”  Obadiah 12-15

“For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord Yehovah. Therefore turn and live!” Ezekiel 18:32

These two points may seem contradictory, but both reveal the nature of God. Both are true. Death is the ultimate result of our rebellion against God, but what is our attitude when we see the resulting death of the wicked? Do we rejoice? Do we take pleasure in their death? Certainly, we are glad that the evil is ended. Yet, what is God’s response? No pleasure. He grieves. He would rather they would repent and choose life. That should be our attitude as well. Make no mistake, I do believe Israel must eliminate the Hamas death cult in Israel’s own existential self defense. But, even though we thank Jesus for victory, we take no pleasure in the deaths, even of the wicked. They are eternally lost. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Maranatha! I believe many who are grieving in Israel at this time will turn to Yehovah God, their only true salvation through the Messiah Yeshua. That is my prayer for Jews and Arabs alike.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and timely rains.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                 (Read more)