OBADIAH 1

Who is this Obadiah?

• In total there are 13 Obadiah's referenced in the Old Testament.

• The Hebrew name Obadiah means "worshiper or servant of Yahweh".

• Even the scholars can't be sure of which of the 13 Obadiah's wrote the book.

• No mater which one it was, God spoke to and through him.

NOTE: It is interesting to compare the book of Obadiah with Jeremiah 49: 7 - 22.

There is a remarkable similarity which could mean that Jeremiah had this prophetic message when he wrote those verses. After all, prophets could be trusted.

• The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament.

• Who is the subject of this prophesy?

Obadiah 1:1

1 The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom

• Subject: Edom.

• Due to their total hatred of Israel, they will be totally destroyed.

• Remember: Jacob/ later Israel, was the son of Isaac and brother of Esau / Edom

• Edom / Esau hated Jacob/ Israel.

Obadiah 1:1

• We have heard a message from the LORD:

• Why is the word WE used here?

• Obadiah knows that as a prophet, the people trust him and know that he represents them. He includes the reader as receiving this prophesy from God.

• This message does not speak to Israel or Judah. This directly concerns Edom.

• Edomites were the descendants of Esau who was also known as Edom, most likely because he had red hair. Edom means red.

• Esau was an inhabitant of Seir which was home to the Horites.(Genesis36)

• In Numbers 20 there is the account of the Israelites wanting to pass through the Edomites land, but we're opposed by the Edomites. (Numbers 20)

• Edom actually joined forces with Moab and Amon to go against Judah but God intervened and gave Judah the victory. (2 Chronicles20)

• In A.D. 66 through 70 Edom actually joined forces with Israel to go against Rome but we're soundly defeated and this was the end of the Edomites.

• This was predicted in Obadiah as we will see.

Continue with Obadiah verses 1 through 4

• It seems as though that PRIDE is a major problem here.

• God really despises the PROUD!

• A reference to the ancient city of Petra. A fortress high in the cliffs which gave them superior protection from enemies. It was easy to fend off an attack. The only access was a narrow canyon.

• God's edict of this pride; "I will bring you down".

Continue verses 5 through 9

• This is a great example of pride "GOING BEFORE THE FALL".

VERSE 10

Obadiah 1:10

[10] Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, (Israel) you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.

Continue verses 11 through 14

Edom / Esau was always rejoicing when bad things happened to Jacob / Israel/ God's chosen people.

1. They did absolutely nothing to help Israel.

2. They actually rejoiced in Israel's distress.

3. They then took advantage of them.

4. Ultimately they joined in to bring their own violence against Israel.

Continue verses 15 and 21

This is God's judgement against Edom / Esau.

• God promises to treat edom / Esau just like they treated Israel/ Jacob.

• Verse 15 states that "just as you have done, it will be done to you".

Obadiah 1:17-18

[17] But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance. [18] Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him. There will be no survivors from Esau.” The LORD has spoken.

• This is a reference to the future. The descendants of Esau became the muslims.

• And the real interesting part is that God will do this through Israels / Jacob's blood line in the person of Jesus.

• This is God's justice!

• The city of Petra will no longer protect them.

• Their prior allies will trick them and turn against them.

• They were very proud of their wisdom and wise men. But even with all that wisdom they will fall.

Obadiah 1:21

[21] Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the LORD's.

THINGS TO THINK ON

1. God is in control!

2. Israel / Jacob suffered greatly at the hand of Esau/ Edom, but continued to trust God through it all.

• Do you feel as though you are being ignored and forgotten?

• Do people rejoice when you have trouble/ problems?

• Does it seem that people gang up on you and hurt you with gossip?

Obadiah's message is to stay true to God/ Jesus and he will guide you and guard you.

GOD / JESUS our FATHER loves us. He knows everything that is going on.

Every evil against us will be destroyed and we WILL KNOW VICTORY!!!!!

PRAISE GOD NOW. PRAISE GOD TOMORROW. PRAISE GOD FOREVER.