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The Minor Prophets: Obadiah Gods People Will Be Vindicated

Lesson 4 4 March 2012

Introduction to Obadiah
Obadiah: means Servant of Yahweh Obadiahs in the OT: 12 Time period of service: The reign of Jehoram in Judea Theme: God will vindicate His people Reference Period: 2 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 21: 4-20
850 BC ? 930 BC 722 BC 586 BC 536 BC 400 BC

The Divided Kingdom

Fall of Samaria

Fall of Jerusalem

Return to Jerusalem

The End of the Old Testament

Obadiah 1-9
The General Indictment Against Edom
Edom: The descendents of Esau Famous Edomites: Esau (OT) and Herod the Great (NT) Characteristics of the Edomites
Wealth: They controlled the southern trade route Security: Their defenses were formidable and strong alliances Exceptional Wisdom (cf. Job)

Vs. 3-9: Their general problem: Pride


Esaus Life as an example (Gen. 25-27) Pride is Greatest Sin for it is the first sin Pride assumes you are in control of the situation Pride assumes there are no consequences for your actions

Pride goeth before the fall


God says that Edom will be utterly destroyed Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated (Ro. 9:11-14)

Obadiah 10-14
God Gets More Specific
vs. 10: The Sin of unbrotherlyness
Jacob and Esau were brothers; Judea and Edom related Mirrors the sin of Cain against Able (Gen. 4)

The progression of sin


vs. 11: Stood aloof when Jerusalem was attacked vs. 12: Looked down upon the people of Judea vs. 12: Rejoiced over their destruction vs. 12: Boasted about their day of trouble vs. 13: Participated in the destruction vs. 13: Looted the city to gain wealth (an advantage) vs. 14: Rounded up those fleeing and turned them in

Sins progression from observation, to assuming superiority, to participating in the events (James 1:13-15)

Obadiah 15-21
The Day of the Lord is Sure
vs. 15-16: The Day of the Lord is the theme again
It is coming for all nations (even ours) A nations deeds will foretell the manner of judgement Edom presumed to assume Gods position in Jerusalem (all our pride leads us to assume Gods position)

vs. 17-21: Gods people will be vindicated


vs. 17: Salvation is from the Jews vs. 17: Gods desire is holiness and a holy people inheriting His promises vs 18: Gods judgment of sin is like fire and Christ will be the flame vs. 18: The unholy will be consumed vs. 19-20: Gods promise to return His people to their inheritance vs. 21: A foreshadowing of the Kingdom of God

References
The TANAKH. The Book of Obadiah pp. 10331035 The NIV. The Book of Obadiah The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order. The Prophecies of Obadiah pp. 727-729 Bill T. and Beyer, Brian E. Encountering the Old Testament pp. 452-453 Boice, James Montgomery. The Minor Prophets vol. 1 pp. 235-258 Unger, Merrill F. Ungers Commentary on the Old Testament pp. 1813-1822

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