A Day of Discipline

My wife could tell you that I don’t always get things the first time they are spoken. I have told her to get my eyes before telling me anything important.

Just last week she told me there was something she needed me to know. I called back from the other room “What’s that?” She wisely said, “Will you come over here and sit down?

Even though I don’t always catch things the first time, by the time I hear it 11 times, I begin to take notice. Obadiah repeats the word day several times to underscore that a specific, appointed time is sure to happen.

Some of you are looking to a day in late January when things will turn for the better. Of course, I’m talking about the day when the Kansas City Chiefs secure their way to their 3rd consecutive Super Bowl with an opportunity to be the first ever 3-peat in league history.

Little orphan Annie believed the sun would come out tomorrow and things would be made right because “tomorrow is only a day away”.

Ukraine is looking forward to a day when Russian aggression ends. Israel awaits a day when Hamas is destroyed permanently. Haitians longs for a day when the gangs lose control of their government and economy.

But what if a day of significant loss must happen before the day that righteousness is established? What if God needs to extend some discipline before He brings about justice?

I once read that the South was bound to lose the Civil War because their theme song was simply a sentimental longing for the old days of Dixie, while the Battle Hymn of the Republic looked forward to great victory: “Mine Eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

What if a Great Tribulation must come before the Millennial Kingdom is established?

TRANSITION: Today’s text from the shortest book in the Hebrew Scriptures tells us explicitly of 2 days: a Day of discipline, and the Day of destiny and we can’t get the cart before the horse.

Occasions of Conflict with God’s people (Obadiah 1)

Today the newsmakers want to paint the picture of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in light of response to October 7. Others say “ a fair picture is only found when we go back to the founding of the PLO in 1964”. And others go back to the intent of Great Britain following WW2. Some historians bring up the Crusades and occupation by Muslims. Some trace back to the Roman devastation in AD 70. Today’s text reminds us that conflict over this real estate goes all the way back to the first book of ours and the Jewish Bibles, and it continues even past the first events of our New Testament.

Jacob swindles Esau’s birthright over a bowl of stew [2000 to 1750 BC] (Gen 25)

You may recall the story how Isaac was swindled out of a blessing by taking advantage of his poor eyesight, then how Jacob manipulated Esau’s hunger with a bowl of stew. Esau was banished to the land that later became Edom (also called Seir, which means “red”). Esau was described as red and hairy at his birth, and the stew that cost him his birthright was also described as red.

Never underestimate the value of a good bowl of chili!

Israelites denied travel through Edom (modern Jordan) after the Wilderness Wandering [1400 BC] (Numbers 20)

1. The Israelites called on their distant relatives to let them pass through, promising not to touch the crops or even draw from their water. They promised to stay on the main road.

2. Edom was stubborn, defended their boarder and forced Moses and the Israelites to take the long way around.

3. Not the best way “to make friends and influence people”.

Edomites join Ammonites and Moabites in attacking Jerusalem [873-849 BC] (2 Chron 20)

1. Many Bible Scholars believe it was here the Obadiah delivered his prophesy. There are no less than 12 men named Obadiah in the Bible because it means “worshipper of Yahweh”, a desirable name! Since the events of this short book don’t provide absolute certainty, we are unsure if this Obadiah lived at this time.

2. However Joel quotes Obadiah by saying “as the LORD has said” (Joel 2:32) clearly indicate that the contents of that verse refer to Obadiah 17. So Obadiah must have been written before Joel which may have been written about 830 B.C.

3. Edom falls to Assyria, subsequently to Babylon

Edomites stop Jews from fleeing to the South when Babylon destroys Jerusalem [586 BC] (PS 137:7)

1. This is the event that precipitates the other common dating of the book, due to similarities between Obadiah and Jeremiah 49 and the mention of gates of Jerusalem in v.11 . But Jeremiah is known to quote other prophets, rather than describe something that was happening when both this Obadiah and Jeremiah were living it.

2. I believe the forward looking warnings of vv.12-14 are prophesying the Babylonian invasion because vv.10-11 describe how Edom acted in 2 Chron 20.

Herod the Great was Idumean (Latin for Edomite) [Birth of Christ]

Fast forward 600 years. After the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem, then Nehemiah and Ezra return to rebuild the walls and the Temple, The area south of the dead Sea is eventually conquered by the Romans and produces a ruler who oppressed the Jewish people so that they were eagerly awaiting the Messiah.

TRANSITION: It is in front of this backdrop of animosity that God gives a message for Obadiah to proclaim against Edom.

the Oracle of Obadiah against Edom

While the vast majority of the Hebrew Scriptures were addressed to God’s covenant people, God has always been concerned for neighboring nations. We studied Jonah (the only OT Prophet sent to Gentiles) and here we have a prophecy centered on a Gentile nation.

Perhaps here would be a good place to remind of God’s work among the nations. God is not primarily concerned with the activity of political kingdoms, He is foremost concerned with the people who live within these regions. The History of Israel and Judah is filled with good, bad and indifferent kings. But God always has a remnant of faithful followers within Judah.

Language, Citizenship, or Residency is not was drives God’s plan for Humanity. The Peoples of the world are divided between those who fear the Lord and those who oppose the Lord.

Even during the downfall of Judah, they had good kings who obeyed the writings of Scripture; they had bad kings who rebelled against the writing of Scripture; and they had kings who obeyed personally, but did nothing to destroy the places of worship to false Gods. Good kings not only obey God themselves, but Good leaders make it difficult for others to disobey God!

This is a good principle for us to remember as servant leaders ask for your vote of support: While we are not electing pastors or mentors, Not only is their morality significant, but what do they plan to do so that others can/will live in obedience to God? Our country was founded on deistic pluralism and we cannot expect laws that force people to accept Christ, but do current policies regarding religious liberty make it easier or more difficult to serve the God of the Bible from a clear conscience?

Edom was called out because they made it difficult to worship the true God.

God disciplines His Own (Obadiah 12-14)

Notice 2 words in these 3 verses: distress 2x and calamity 3x. These people never ceased to be God’s covenant people, and their experiences are never beyond God’s sovereignty. But notice that the same God who causes “all things to work together for good” is the same God who prophesies calamity and distress. Could it be that there are times when calamity and distress work for good?

Could God permit harsh or harmful leaders (like Pharoah) to be used for a greater good (the Exodus to a promised land)? Could a weak leader be “God’s chosen leader” for a season, if it works to a superior end?

All I have to do is point to Calvary to illustrate that a good and great God causes hurtful, agonizing, and painful events, SO THAT a magnificent result can come to be. If it were not for the bloody, excruciating cross, not a one of us could me made right with God. Wrath MUST be poured out on sin for God to remain just.

There are times when our faith is strengthened by our hardships.

James 1:3 ESV:2016

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

5. There are times when heat must be applied to draw out the dross.

Isaiah 1:25 ESV:2016

25 I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

6. Matthew 25 begins with a powerful story about 10 young ladies waiting for a bridegroom. 5 actively prepare themselves and 5 just coast by with no activity. Because of their passivity in making themselves ready when the Bridegroom comes they get left behind. A parable teaches one primary point – making yourself ready is rewarded! It is an abuse of literary type to try to make it say other things like “there will be a parial rapture” or “people will be given a second chance after the groom arrives”.

7. Just remember we are not promised continual sprinkles and rainbows, God sends pain that makes us better in the end.

God disciplines the Nations (Obadiah 1-11)

One of the things we learned from our study through 1 and 2 Samuel a year ago is that even though God was bringing discipline on King Saul, David wanted no part in being the one that laid a hand against God’s anointed.

Even if God is working a purpose, and using us to do it, we must become extremely cautious about our attitude and role in His work.

Their pride was the problem (2-4)

Edom had been great once before, but they allowed their strength to go to their heads. Perhaps Russia, China, and the USA need to be reminded that our past strength is no guarantee that everything attempted in the future will experience God’s blessing.

We may or may not be “great again” we may or may not “build back better”

b. The Oracle against Edom should be a warning to ANY people who begins to consider themselves unbeatable.

Their possessions were the target (5-7)

One only has to look at the Great Depression, the gasoline shortages of the 70s, and even the technology outages of 48 hours ago to know that when people don’t have access to their “stuff”, a gut check is inevitable.

Plundering and destroying leaves one feeling pillaged and prevailed against.

But possessions are only a starting point, because those who rely too heavily on their stuff are the very ones who get dismayed and destroyed when their power and possessions are taken away.

Their people would be slaughtered (8-9)

Wisdom becomes dismay and mighty become slaughter.

Whether in this world or the next, destruction is real!

2 Samuel 1:19 ESV:2016

19 “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!

This phrase appears 3 times in this paragraph describing the death of King Saul

Jesus told the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus to illustrate a change of fortune. Paul writes in 1 Cor 3 about the burning of one’s work that leads to loss.

God establishes Justice (Obadiah 15-21)

Let me introduce a glimmer of hope because v.20 talks about a Day of Destiny that brings about a great reversal.

What is now is not what always will be!

Come back next week for more on this subject.

But just as Easter Sunday becomes more glorious after considering the Friday before. The Day of the Lord becomes more glorious when we realize judgement comes before the reward.

TRANSITION: Let me make some current observations from this Historical prophecy

Observations from the Oracle

Don’t Interfere with God’s mighty deeds

We can enable rebellion when we soften what God is doing in another person or group.

Don’t “pile on” when God is gaining someone’s attention

We don’t need to add our two cents when God is removing dross from another.

Don’t forget the Nations

Even when Jacob’s descendants were the covenant people, God was working in Esau’s grandchildren.

Even when Jesus was teaching the Jews, He spoke of sheep of another fold (John 10:16).

Even when the Apostles were focused on their own people, God sent Paul to the Gentiles.

Conclusion:

I do hope that America becomes great again, because it is the place where God has placed me. I do hope that we build back better, because things now are a moral and economic mess.

More important than what God does in our location, it is my prayer that those who fear God are established and those who oppose God are brought to repentance.

Baker, Walter L. 1985. “Obadiah.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, 1:1454. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.