Obadiah
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Who are some prophets you remember from the Bible?
What did those prophets do?
Who did those prophets prophesy to?
‘Obadiah’ means ‘one who serves Yahweh’. He writes from Jerusalem (a.k.a. Zion) after the Babylonians have taken over. But he writes about Edom.
*Look at Map*
Edom is the land of Esau, Jacob’s brother, so the people of Israel and the people of Edom are family and family is supposed to help family. In 2 Kings 4, the King of Edom helped the kings of Israel and Judah when they fought against Moab.
But when the Babylonians take over Jerusalem, do you think the Edomites helped Israel? Key Verse = Obadiah 10
Outline
Outline
I. First Announcement of Judgment to Edom: Pride Goes Before Destruction (vv. 1-4)
Edom is prideful. It is arrogant, thinking that because it lives high up in the mountains it can’t be brought down to earth. It thinks of itself like an eagle with a nest so high that its in the stars of the sky! But God is recruiting nations to bring Edom down. God says, “I will bring you down.”
What is pride?
How does pride trick us?
God can bring us down even if we are convinced that He cannot.
II. Second Announcement of Judgment to Edom: Deceitful Kisses of Enemies (vv. 5-7)
Thieves and gatherers might leave something of value behind but Edom will be ransacked; it’s hidden treasures found and carried off. Who will carry them off? It’s friends! (Or at least those nations that pretended to be friends with Edom.) These fake friends will kick it out of their land, overpower it, and ambush it. Edom didn’t understand that it’s fake friends were real enemies until it was too late.
Proverbs 27:6…
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
Edom’s friends deceived them with ‘kisses’. Not actual kisses but fake expressions of love and devotion.
Do you think we should feel sorry for Edom? No. God was using Edom’s wicked friends to bring judgment on them.
Do you think God would use wicked friends to bring judgment on us? No. All the judgment we deserved was poured out on Jesus on the cross. A wicked friend (Judas) betrayed Him before He took our place on the cross.
III. Announcement of Judgment, Accusation, & Warning to Edom (vv. 8-15)
Edom’s wise men and mighty men will be dismayed at the slaughter of Edom. (Edom is also called Teman because Teman was the grandson of Esau.) God’s wrath is coming against Edom because Edom did violence to Israel who is called Edom’s brother Jacob. How did Edom do violence? (1) It stood aloof as Israel was carried off. (2) It celebrated as Israel was captured. (3) It looted Israel’s wealth. (4) It cut down and imprisoned some Israelites that tried to escape as Israel was conquered by the Babylonians. But God’s judgment comes on all nations. As Edom had done to Israel, it would be down to Edom.
Is it wrong to murder people trying to escape death? Yes.
Is it wrong to celebrate as people are captured or killed? Yes.
Is it wrong to steal from people who are being attacked? Yes.
Is it wrong to stand by and watch as evil is done to others? Yes.
God’s judgment on Israel (i.e. Judah) was to be conquered by Babylon. But Edom should have done the right thing no matter what; Edom should have helped Israel.
We must do what’s right no matter what.
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
IV. Promise of Restoration and Victory to Israel (vv. 16-18)
Israel drank God’s wrath as Babylon attacked. Edom would drink His wrath too; so will all nations that do not do right before Him. It will be like they never existed. But there will be a remnant—a small group of Israelites who are saved—and though they will be few, they will grow into a great fire. Edom, however, will be like burned up ashes. There will be no survivors in Edom. The Lord had spoken.
How should we pray for our nation?
V. Promise of Restoration & Yahweh’s Kingship (vv. 19-21)
These verses might be a little hard to understand. They mean that all God’s remnant—that small group that would be saved—they would return to and take over the full extent of the Promised Land. This is the Kingdom of God that came into the world in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the Kingdom that will be fully seen when Jesus comes again.
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.