Obadiah
Part of Minor Prophets
September 8, 2023

The Prophecy Of (

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)
God’s (
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) Against Violence

SLIDE 40 Obadiah, which translated means “(

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) of Jehovah”,” was a Bible character we do not know much about. There are other “Obadiah’s” in the Scripture, but of this prophet we have very little information. His prophecy is the (
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) book in the Old Testament, and one of the most difficult of the prophets to assign a date.

SLIDE 41 VIDEO

Date

SLIDE 42 Two dates have generally been accepted by scholars: (845)B.C. and (586)B.C. Those who take the later date say Obadiah prophesied around the (

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) of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. However, there is absent in Obadiah’s prophecy the mention of Jerusalem’s destruction, the burning of the temple and royal palace, the carrying off of the Hebrews to Babylon, and the remnant that went into Egypt. Based on these omissions, and coupled with the fact that he alludes to (
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) (a reference to the Northern Kingdom) as still existing (19), I have taken the earlier date of 845 B.C.

SLIDE 43 The Main Message Of The Prophecy

A prophecy against the (

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), the descendants of Esau. Note these instances in the long history between Israel (
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) & Edom (
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):
The rivalry among the brothers (Gen. 25:23; 27:41)
Edom’s refusal to grant Israel passage on the journey to Canaan (Num. 20:14-21)
David’s enslavement of Edom as captives (2 Sam. 8:13-14)
Edom’s revolt during rule of Jehoram of Judah (2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chron. 21:8-10a)
The exaltation of (
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) over Seir (
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’s
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) and the salvation of God’s people in His kingdom that will triumph over the (
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) world. Messianic prophecy.

Background To The Prophecy

Jerusalem was plundered by a coalition of Arabians and Philistines during the reign of Jehoram sometime around 850-843 B.C. (2 Chron. 21:16-17). In this attack on Judah, Edom gladly participated (Obad. 11). Jehovah, therefore, summoned Obadiah to be His spokesman to Edom.

Fulfillment Of The Prophecy

Obadiah prophesied that Edom would be completely cut off forever and be as though they had never been (10,16,18). After the destruction of Jerusalem, the Edomites were forced from their mountain stronghold in Seir and pushed south into Judah (Mal. 1:2-5). In 126 B.C. they were conquered by the Maccabees and made proselytes (A proselyte is a new convert, especially someone who has recently switched from one religion to another) by being circumcised. Around 100 A.D. The Edomites had become lost to history and never heard from again. Thus, the prophecy of Obadiah was fulfilled.

SLIDE 44 Main Lessons From The Prophecy

Pride is self-deceptive and (

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)-destructive (3-4; Prov. 16:18)
“Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also (
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) (15; Gal. 6:7)
Neutrality is the (
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) as opposing God (11; Matthew 12:30)
Those who trust in God will (
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) be victorious

SLIDE 45 Outline Of Obadiah’s Prophecy

Utter (

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) of Edom decreed (1-16)
Announcement of the judgment (1-9)
The decree (1)
Condition: deceived by pride, despised and debased by Jehovah (2-4)
Completeness of the destruction (5-6)
Treachery of his allies (7)
Failure of his wisdom and might (8-9)
Cause of the judgment (10-14)
Violence and unbrotherly conduct toward Judah (10-11)
Warning against such conduct (12-14)
Terrors Of The Judgment (15-16)

(

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) of Israel: The kingdom of Jehovah to be established upon Mt. Zion (17-21)
A remnant to escape to Mt. Zion (17)
Conquest of Edom (Mt. Seir) and surrounding nations (18-20)
Jehovah’’s universal sway from Mt. Zion (21)

SLIDE 46 Group Questions

What is at the root of bitter feuds? What is so powerful that the participants do not even desire to end the feud?

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What is the worst example of a feud that you know of?
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What is the answer to a long-standing, bitter feud? How might this affect your country’s foreign policy?
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What was the purpose of Obadiah’s vision?
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How do you see God’s sovereignty at work in the world? What can we do to cooperate with his plans?
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How should it affect our actions to know that God reigns over all of history?
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Why does God especially hate prideful arrogance in people and nations?
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For which sins was God going to judge Edom? Why is this helpful for us to reflect on this?
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When has application of the Golden Rule influenced your behavior? Good or bad?
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What can we hope for in the future? How can we nurture this hope and keep it fresh and alive?
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Questions

  1. How did Obadiah get his information? (1a; Dan. 8:1; Isa. 29:7) To whom did this information refer?
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  2. Who was Edom? (Gen. 36:8) Who had been sent “among the nations” to arouse them against Edom? (1b; 1 Kings 22;19-23; Dan. 10:10-21)
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  3. What was Jehovah going to do to Edom? (2) What was the first reason given for His judgment? (3a) What do we learn from the Scripture about pride? (Prov. 16:18; 1 Pet. 5:5b-6)
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  4. In verses 3-9, list below the 5 sources of Edomite pride Obadiah identifies.
    3-4
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    5-6
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    7
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    8
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    9
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  5. What was the second reason given for Jehovah’s judgment against Edom? (10a)
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    Chronicle below the history between Edom and his brother Israel.
    Gen. 25:27-34
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    Gen. 27:30-41
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    Gen. 33:1-17
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    Num. 20:14-21
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    2 Sam. 8:13-14
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    2 Kings 8:20-22
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    What was going to happen to Edom? (10b)
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  6. Primarily, what had Edom done with respect to Judah? (11) How did God view the “non-action” of Edom? (11b) Thought question: Where in the New Testament do we read of this principle and how God feels about it?
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  7. In verses 12-14, what three divine warnings does Obadiah give Edom? What do you think each one means?
    12
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    13
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    14
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  8. What does the prophet say is near? (15a) What do you think the expression “day of the LORD” means? (Joel 1:15; 2:1,10-11; Isa. 13:9-13) Not only is it a day of terror to the enemies of God and His people, but it is also a day of what to those who follow God? (Lk. 21:27-28)
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  9. What principle do we learn from what will befall the Edomites? (15b; Gal. 6:7-10)
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  10. Whether Edom’s drinking” was a literal drunken carousal or a figurative expression referring to their desecration of God’s holy city and His people by their violence towards them, what awaits them and all others guilty of this sin? (16)
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  11. Edom’s mount (Mt. Seir) would be abased. However, what will take place on Jehovah’s mountain? (17) Thought question: Beginning here and going through the remainder of the book, what is the essence of Obadiah’s prophecy? (Lk. 1:33)
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  12. What place does Obadiah mention in verse 17? What is this? (Heb. 12:22-24) How does the prophet describe God’s mount and those who dwell there? (17-18) Why is it so certain that what Obadiah prophesied will come to pass? (18b)
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  13. What will become of the “mount of Esau” according to verse 19? When was this fulfilled? (Num. 24:15-24) For help on this prophecy, compare Amos 9:11-12 with Acts 15:15-18. How did James declare the prophecy of Amos against Edom fulfilled?
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  14. The basic message of Obadiah’s prophecy is contained in verses 20-21. Who does he mention? To where will they ascend? Why are they victorious?
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