Bible Study - Minor Prophets - Obadiah: A Message of God's Justice - Obadiah - January 20, 2013

Bible Study – Minor Prophets – Obadiah: A Message of God’s Justice – January 20, 2013

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Minor Prophets: Major Messages.”

Our scripture is Obadiah 1-4, 10-15, 17-18, 21

We do not know much about the Prophet Obadiah. He was likely a prophet around 853 B.C. His writings are the shortest of the minor prophets. The theme of Obadiah is a denunciation of Edom but it is only the backdrop for future events which extend to the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

So what do we know about Edom? Edom predates Abraham. The Bible states that Esau, the brother of Jacob, lived in Edom. We know that Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. We know that Jacob and Esau were twins. Esau was the oldest but GOD said that Esau would serve Jacob. They went their separate ways. Esau and his descendants settled south and became known as the Edomites. Jacob’s descendants settled north and developed into the Covenant people known as the nation of Israel. There were many clashes between these two groups which sprang from the same family. It was another Hatfield’s and McCoy’s.

Edom was located in a geographically strategic area, which was well protected. Petra was their capital city, which was originally named Sela.

It was located along the trade routes between Syria and Egypt and as such they charged tolls, which made them rich. Edom was situated in a secure area protected by cliffs that were more than 5,000 feet above sea level. In order to get to the city area one would have to travel about a mile through an entry that had short sharp turns. There was no straight entrance into the city (Petra, the capital of Edom). They had warriors posted on the walls to protect the city from an invader. As such the Edomites were physically and economically secure, which resulted in them having an arrogant, prideful attitude. The attitude of their hearts toward others, especially their descendents in Israel, gave GOD a problem.

GOD gave Obadiah a vision regarding Edom. GOD’S message not only applied to the Edomites but to all succeeding generations until JESUS returns to earth to establish GOD’S kingdom. This message is in effect until the end of time. It was an imminent message.

Let’s read Obadiah 1-4:

1 The vision of Obadiah. Edom’s Certain Judgment

This is what the Lord God has said about Edom: We have heard a message from the Lord; a messenger has been sent among the nations: “Rise up, and let us go to war against her.”

2 Look, I will make you (Edom) insignificant among the nations; you will be deeply despised. 3 Your presumptuous heart has deceived you, you who live in clefts of the rock in your home on the heights, who say to yourself, “Who can bring me down to the ground?” 4 Though you seem to soar like an eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down.

GOD’S problem with the Edomites was their pride. There is nothing wrong with pride. All of us need to have pride but our pride can become arrogance and self-sufficiency. We can conclude that we do not need GOD in our lives. This was the situation with the Edomites. They were secure physically and economically, therefore, they did not depend upon anyone including their family descendents in Israel or GOD. GOD revealed the heart of the Edomites and the hearts of all who become self-sufficient. GOD made it clear that others may not be able to bring you down but HE can.

Let’s read Obadiah 5-9:

This is the Lord’s declaration.

5 If thieves came to you, if marauders by night—how ravaged you would be!—wouldn’t they steal only what they wanted? If grape pickers came to you, wouldn’t they leave some grapes? 6 How Esau will be pillaged, his hidden treasures searched out! 7 Everyone who has a treaty with you will drive you to the border; everyone at peace with you will deceive and conquer you. Those who eat your bread will set a trap for you. He will be unaware of it. 8 In that day—this is the Lord’s declaration—will I not eliminate the wise ones of Edom and those who understand from the hill country of Esau? 9 Teman, your warriors will be terrified so that everyone from the hill country of Esau will be destroyed by slaughter.

GOD knows how secure you think you are. You know that even if thieves and robbers did come into your cities they could only make off with a limited quantity of goods. If they took your grapes they would have to leave some grapes behind but when GOD comes in, nothing will remain. It will be devastating.

Verse 6 mentions Esau. Esau was the father of the descendents of the nation of Edom. GOD was not taking out vengeance on Edom but bringing about justice. The Edomites were getting what they deserved because they took advantage of others and did not come to the aid of their kindred in Jerusalem. They were onlookers and often helped do the looting when Jerusalem was under attack. They rejoiced in the plight of the Israelites. The Edomites thought they were secure but GOD would show them that HE is sovereign.

The Edomites were known for their wisdom (verse 8). They were wise in how to make money, secure their cities and have plenty to eat. They thought their wisdom was far superior to anyone else’s, including GOD. But they were foolish because they did not acknowledge GOD, which was a big mistake.

Verse 9 mentions Teman. Teman was the hometown of one of Job’s friend (Elipaz). It was about five (5) miles from Petra the capital of Edom. Teman was named after Esau’s grandson. (Genesis 36:11) This leads us to the reason GOD was bringing such destruction upon them in our next scripture.

Let’s read Obadiah 10-15:

Edom’s Sins against Judah

10 You will be covered with shame and destroyed forever because of violence done to your brother Jacob.

The Israelites descended from Jacob and the Edomites descended from Esau. Instead of helping Israel and Judah, the Edomites just stood by and watched. When Jerusalem was under attack, the Edomites gloated. Yet, it was part of their family that was being destroyed. This revealed their hearts. Do we gloat when bad things happen to others, especially family or friends?

11 On the day you stood aloof, on the day strangers captured his wealth, while foreigners entered his •gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them.

GOD considered the inaction of the Edomites the same as if they had attacked and pillaged Jerusalem. GOD reminded them that they were accountable to HIM. GOD knew their hearts as our next scripture reveals.

12 Do not gloat over your brother in the day of his calamity; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction; do not boastfully mock in the day of distress. 13 Do not enter the gate of My people in the day of their disaster. Yes, you—do not gloat over their misery in the day of their disaster and do not appropriate their possession sin the day of their disaster. 14 Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off their fugitives, and do not hand over their survivors in the day of distress.

The Edomites prevented those trying to escape by blocking their escape. They rounded-up those trying to escape and turned them over to the enemy. (Verse 14)

Surely, Christians would not do such a thing today, would they? What do we do when a brother or sister in CHRIST falls into sin? Do we stand by and watch as he/she is being ripped apart? Do we pray for them? Do we go to them and offer them support? I am not saying to endorse or approve of his/her sin. Our first reaction should be to pray for them because he/she is family and yes, go to them. But do not throw them under the bus. I know there are some grievous things Christians can do. Christians need discernment, wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Obadiah 15-16:

Judgment of the Nations 

15 For the Day of the Lord is near, against all the nations. As you have done, so it will be done to you; what you deserve will return on your own head. 16 As you have drunk on My holy mountain, so all the nations will drink continually. They will drink and gulp down and be as though they had never been.

“The Day of the Lord is near, against all the nations.” This refers to judgment. It does not mean judgment may come. It means that judgment is imminent. It is not only the Day of Judgment for Edom but for all the nations. Judgment came to Edom and it was destroyed. But it does not end with Edom. GOD’S judgment extends to all nations. Yes, it even extends to today, even up to the final days when CHRIST will establish GOD’S Kingdom upon earth.

GOD told them that as they had done to others it would be done to them. GOD was telling them that they would reap what they had sown.

The Edomites, as well as other nations, rejoiced on HIS Holy mountain when HIS chosen people were being attacked. All who do not stand up for HIS chosen people will reap GOD’S wrath. GOD told them that this was not the end of GOD punishing those who harm HIS children. This includes all nations until the end of time. This covers all Christians, because they are HIS chosen.

Let’s read Obadiah 17-21:

17 But there will be a deliverance on Mount •Zion and it will be holy; the house of Jacob will dispossess those who dispossessed them. 18 Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph, a burning flame, but the house of Esau will be stubble; Jacob will set them on fire and consume Edom. Therefore no survivor will remain of the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken.

Could verse 17 prophesy the ultimate deliverance of mankind from all sin through the atoning death of JESUS CHRIST? CHRIST giving HIS life by shedding HIS blood paid in full the penalty for sin. All who reject CHRIST will fall under the wrath of GOD. GOD will be the judge. Those who have CHRIST will not be judged.

 GOD made it clear that there will be reversal of fortune. Esau’s clan had been reaping the benefits but GOD would change that. Edom would be destroyed and Jacob’s side of the family, Israel, would prosper. This is still true today. Those who accept CHRIST as their Savior will receive the gift of eternal life, the miracle of the rebirth into GOD’S family and citizenship into heaven never to be lost. The resurrection of CHRIST is the proof that this is true. The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms our Son-ship or Daughter-ship.

Future Blessing for Israel

19 People from the •Negev will possess the hill country of Esau; those from the Judean foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will possess the territories of Ephraim and Samaria, while Benjamin will possess Gilead. 20 The exiles of the Israelites who are in Halah and who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath as well as the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev. 21 Saviors (Deliverers) will ascend Mount Zion to rule over the hill country of Esau, but the kingdom will be the Lord’s.

The Israelites will move in and possess the hill country of Esau (Edom).

Verse 21 is prophesy revealing that GOD is supreme over all people and nations.

GOD does not tolerate arrogance and ignoring those in need, especially brothers and sisters in CHRIST. This includes Israel.

This study opens us up to the working of GOD’S mind, as HE deals with various nations/countries. It gives us a clear example of GOD’S expectations. In this study, we have learned that GOD’S desire is for HIS children to reach out and help our Spiritual family when they are in need. We are not to gloat or stand idly by watching the misfortunes of others. Here we have to be careful. This is where we need discernment and the leadership and confirmation of the Holy Spirit. We must be careful not to become an enabler. Blessings!