Obadiah

Obadiah was a prophet of the Lord, who was given a message against Edom. Edom was descended from Jacob's twin brother Esau. There was an on going feud between his descendants and the children of Israel. Recall that it was Jacob who tricked Esau out of his birthright and the blessings of the first born (Genesis 25:19-34 & Genesis 27). Edomites aways acted with hostility towards the Jewish nation. They despised them. Edom's pride and arrogance would be judged by the Lord. Here in this book, we have the Lord's word against them, because they gloated over Israel's downfall.

Suggested outline
   I.The Doom of Edom 1-14
   II.Edom in the Day of the Lord 15-21
(or)
   What will happen 1-9
   Why it will happen 10-14
   How it will happen 15-21
   (Swindoll)

Key verse: 1:10

Obadiah 1
Edom boasted in her secure position 1-3, yet the Lord would bring her down 4. Esau will be ransacked and none of their friends would come to their aid. In fact, they will help in the overthrow 5-7. Note: If the Lord is not the governing principle in a person's life, he can turn on friends. Allies of a nation can also be deceptive. The wisdom of Edom (men) will be destroyed 8 and the warriors (powerful) be brought down 9. Note: There is no real hope or security to trust solely in one's self. The Lord shows them why they will be judged 10-14. They did violence to Jacob. When Israel was being destroyed, they stood aside and rejoiced in their downfall 11-12. They looked to plunder them as well 13-14. Note: How low is a person to look to profit from the calamity that another faces (and a relative at that !) The Day of the Lord would bring all of them into account 15. As they had done, so it would be done to them 15. The nations would come and them go 16. The Lord speaks of deliverance that HE will bring to His people 17-18. Note: After judgment there is a certain hope of restoration. This theme is repeated by the Lord through all His prophets. Can you and I, through Christ claim a future hope ? Yes, by God's grace ! Somehow, God will use His people (Judah) as the means by which He will judge the nations that oppressed them 17-19,20. Esau (Edom) will one day have a new government and the kingdom will be the Lord's 21. Note: I am not sure what this means, however I do understand that one day all the kingdoms (nations) of the world will be ruled and governed by the Lord Himself. He will also include His people (the saints) in this rule and reign (see:Daniel 2:44, 7:26-27; Revelation 11:15, 20:6).