What is the Book of Obadiah all about, and how can we apply it in our lives?
Context: Shortest Book in the Old Testament, only 21 verses filled with divine judgments against ancient Edom.
Edom was a nation that was next to Israel across from the Dead Sea. However, there is a deeper context. Edom as a part of Abraham’s linage. Edom’s name was originally Esau, Jacob’s twin brother who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. (Genesis 25-27)
Edom and Israel (Jacob) continued the tension of there forefathers. (Numbers 20:14-20) Although the family had tensioned the bond was broken during the invasion of Babylon. Edom plundered Israelite cites and abused refugees. (See Psalm 137:7, Ezekiel 35 & Amos 1:6-9)
The Design (1 &2 Sections)
I. Accusations against Edom vv.1-14 (Section 1)
a. Edom’s Pride and Self Exaltation
i. They physically lived in mountains, but also thought they were better (vv.3-4)
ii. This haughtiness caused Edom to standby while their relatives were taken captive by Babylon.
iii. God says, as you have done to Israel, it will be don’t to you!
II. Hinge Verse - “The Day of the Lord is near against ALL NATIONS.” (v. 15)
i. Instead of God going into details of how the judgment will look based on verse 14, he gives us verse 15 to “hinge” both parts of the prophesy together.
III. The Day of the Lord for All Nations vv.16-21 (Section 2)
a. All prideful nations will face God’s judgment
b. Obadiah sees the pride of Edom as an image of the pride and fall of all nations
c. Edom is the Hebrew word for Adam, which is to say humanity.
d. Joel and Amos remind us that God does not end with judgment.
i. Joel 2 & 3 God will save Jerusalem and All who call on his name.
ii. Amos 9:11-15 God will restore David’s line and include Edom and all nations in His Kingdom.
e. Obadiah has been placed after Joel and Amos to explain the hopefully future. Vv 17-21
i. Restoration of God’s Kingdom over Jerusalem and all Nations
ii. Edom’s pride is an example of the human condition and how we hurt each other but there is still hope.
iii. Edom’s downfall points to the coming of God’s Kingdom over all nations.
How to break a family feud. (1 Thing to know, 2 Things to do!)
1. Understand how your children will be impacted
2. Repent of pride
3. Let the pass go
Take Away: How we handle our family issues now will bless or curse us later.