Prophets of Doom: Obadiah
Part 4 of the “Prophets of Doom” message series
10 “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will be eliminated forever. 11 On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth, and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem — you too were as one of them. 12 Do not gloat over your brother’s day, the day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah on the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast on the day of their distress. 13 Do not enter the gate of My people on the day of their disaster. You indeed, do not gloat over their catastrophe on the day of their disaster. And do not lay a hand on their wealth on the day of their disaster. 14 Do not stand at the crossroads to eliminate their survivors; and do not hand over their refugees on the day of their distress. 15 “For the day of the Lord is near for all the nations. Just as you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head. 16 For just as you drank on My holy mountain, all the nations will drink continually. They will drink to the last drop, and become as if they had never existed. 17 But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, and it will be holy. And the house of Jacob will possess their property. 18 Then the house of Jacob will be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame; but the house of Esau will be like stubble. And they will set them on fire and consume them, so that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau,” For the Lord has spoken. – Obadiah verses 10-18 (NASB 1995)
The BIG Idea:
Obadiah is a prophet of doom for those who work against the people of God. God may give them a season of victory, but their destruction will come when God is ready. We must accept that God’s Will sometimes may include suffering and difficulty, but God’s promises point to God’s eventual reign and creation’s restoration. God will not allow God’s people to suffer forever, and God will hold people accountable for unrepentant hearts.
Obadiah = “Servant or Worshiper of Yahweh”
This Scriptural account takes place between 586-553 BCE.
Obadiah is different from the other prophets in that his message from the Lord is not for the Hebrews. The message is for the Edomites (the cousins of the Hebrews).
The Edomites were the descendants of Esau who was the twin brother of Jacob.
*Abraham had one legitimate son named Isaac. Isaac married Rebekah and they had twin sons, Esau and Jacob.
24 When her days leading to the delivery were at an end, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. – Genesis 25:24-25 (NASB)
The full story of Jacob and Esau takes place in Genesis chapter 25 through 36.
There are many times in our lives when we will be confronted with what is valuable. Please do not trade it for something sinful.
Jacob and Esau made amends, but they poisoned everyone around them. Generation after generation held a grudge over this dispute.
God’s Indictment against the Edomites delivered by the Prophet Obadiah:
But if you do not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure that your sin will find you out. – Number 32:23 (NASB)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. – Galatians 6:7-9 (NASB)
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, 18 Otherwise, the Lord will see and be displeased and turn His anger away from him. – Proverbs 24:17-18 (NASB)
*In Matthew 2, Herod the Great, an Edomite, would carry the grudge by persecuting the Jews. This reign of constant persecution by the Edomites ended in 70 CE, when the Romans annihilated the entire Edomite civilization after destroying 20,000 Edomite soldiers during the Maccabean Revolt which ended with the fall of the Herodian mountaintop fortress Masada by the Dead Sea.
God sees. God always has the final say. God rectifies all things.
God provides the assurance that though Israel may suffer – justly or unjustly – God will return her to the land God has promised. God is faithful and God keeps God’s Word.
We often struggle to see that God does always reign in our lives.
Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” – Revelation 11:15 (NASB)
Remember . . .
Questions for Reflection
Why does suffering have to be a part of our earthly lives? Where did it come from? Why does it linger?
Why do you think the Edomites celebrated the demise of the Hebrews by the Assyrians and the Babylonians?
We learn from today’s text that our conflicts and disputes can possibly poison everyone around us. Why is this important to remember when we address issues in our relationships?
How have you adjusted to suffering that was not your fault (disease, loss of job, family dysfunction)?
How has this allowed you to trust God more?
Obadiah calls people to accept that God will not always be “silent.” Eventually, God will show up and restore all back to its proper place. In what way is this encouraging to you? Is there any part that makes you sad or uncertain? Why?
The BIG Idea:
Obadiah is a prophet of doom for those who work against the people of God. God may give them a season of victory, but their destruction will come when God is ready. We must accept that God’s Will sometimes may include suffering and difficulty, but God’s promises point to God’s eventual reign and creation’s restoration. God will not allow God’s people to suffer forever, and God will hold people accountable for unrepentant hearts.
Obadiah = “Servant or Worshiper of Yahweh”
This Scriptural account takes place between 586-553 BCE.
Obadiah is different from the other prophets in that his message from the Lord is not for the Hebrews. The message is for the Edomites (the cousins of the Hebrews).
The Edomites were the descendants of Esau who was the twin brother of Jacob.
*Abraham had one legitimate son named Isaac. Isaac married Rebekah and they had twin sons, Esau and Jacob.
24 When her days leading to the delivery were at an end, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. – Genesis 25:24-25 (NASB)
The full story of Jacob and Esau takes place in Genesis chapter 25 through 36.
There are many times in our lives when we will be confronted with what is valuable. Please do not trade it for something sinful.
Jacob and Esau made amends, but they poisoned everyone around them. Generation after generation held a grudge over this dispute.
God’s Indictment against the Edomites delivered by the Prophet Obadiah:
- The Edomites refused to help a brother or sister in need (verse 11).
But if you do not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure that your sin will find you out. – Number 32:23 (NASB)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. – Galatians 6:7-9 (NASB)
- The Edomites rejoiced over the “Fall” of Israel to conquering nations (verse 12).
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, 18 Otherwise, the Lord will see and be displeased and turn His anger away from him. – Proverbs 24:17-18 (NASB)
- The Edomites resorted to selfish behavior and took advantage of the Israelites when they were beaten and suffering (verse 13).
*In Matthew 2, Herod the Great, an Edomite, would carry the grudge by persecuting the Jews. This reign of constant persecution by the Edomites ended in 70 CE, when the Romans annihilated the entire Edomite civilization after destroying 20,000 Edomite soldiers during the Maccabean Revolt which ended with the fall of the Herodian mountaintop fortress Masada by the Dead Sea.
God sees. God always has the final say. God rectifies all things.
God provides the assurance that though Israel may suffer – justly or unjustly – God will return her to the land God has promised. God is faithful and God keeps God’s Word.
We often struggle to see that God does always reign in our lives.
Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” – Revelation 11:15 (NASB)
Remember . . .
- I am my neighbor’s keeper.
- I am called to love and care for their needs.
- God does ask us to bear one another’s burdens.
Questions for Reflection
Why does suffering have to be a part of our earthly lives? Where did it come from? Why does it linger?
Why do you think the Edomites celebrated the demise of the Hebrews by the Assyrians and the Babylonians?
We learn from today’s text that our conflicts and disputes can possibly poison everyone around us. Why is this important to remember when we address issues in our relationships?
How have you adjusted to suffering that was not your fault (disease, loss of job, family dysfunction)?
How has this allowed you to trust God more?
Obadiah calls people to accept that God will not always be “silent.” Eventually, God will show up and restore all back to its proper place. In what way is this encouraging to you? Is there any part that makes you sad or uncertain? Why?