Obadiah & Christ

Obadiah & Christ You Had Better Watch Out

Introduction: The dating of Obadiah like many books of the Bible is debatable. The most likely date is around 845 BC. This would make Obadiah the earliest of what is commonly called the "Minor Prophets." Minor in contrast to the oral prophets, men such as, Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah, and others. Minor in the extent of the length of their writings; not in the importance of what they wrote.

Some believe Obadiah is a play on words for O BAD EDOM.

I) Background

A) The sons of Isaac and Rebekah

1. Esau was the firstborn but Jacob was chosen by God, Genesis 25.22-26

2. Enmity prevailed between the two brothers and the two nations that would from them

a. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew, Genesis 25.27-34

b. Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, into receiving Esau’s blessing, Genesis 27.

3. Many years there was a reconciliation between the two brothers, as Jacob came back to Canaan, Genesis33.

B) The nation of Edom

1. Eventually Esau left Canaan, Genesis 36. See Map

a. Land known for its high cliffs, hard to get to, easy to defend.

2. Many years later Moses was leaving the children of Israel through the wilderness on the way to Canaan when they came to the land of Edom.

a. Israel promised to remain on the King’s Highway and leave the people alone,

b. Edom would not let them pass, Numbers 20.14-21

3. Eventually they became sub-servant to Israel during the day of David, 2 Samuel 8.14

4. After the divided kingdom Edom rebelled again Judah, 2 Kings 8.20-21

II) Obadiah’s Message

A) God is going to judge you, vv. 1-2

1. He pronounces His judgment for all the nations to hear.

a. Judgment in the sense of pronouncing the sentence, condemning; not the finding of facts

2. God has the ability to judge all nations and individuals, Acts 17.26

B) The first reason is given: PRIDE (vv. 3-4)

1. Their pride caused them to not see the danger ahead of them

2. They trusted in themselves, in their mountains, in their wisdom

C) The completeness of the judgment is seen in vv. 5-9

1. The nation would be completely destroyed, totally plundered.

a. Thieves normally leave some things behind, not so with Edom.

2. Their allies would be the ones to betray them: Moab, Ammon, Gaza, Tyre.

3. God used the evil nations to destroy the evil nations.

4. Despite the warning they would not see it coming.

D) Second reason for judgment: VIOLENCE (vv. 10-14)

1. Slavery and trading in slavesl, Amos 1.6,9

2. They did not stop the enemies of Israel and Jerusalem

3. They delighted in their brother’s disaster, rejoiced in their destruction, spoke proudly of it.

a. Hindered those trying to escape

b. Sold them into slavery

E) The Day of Jehovah: The Day of Judgment (vv. 15-16)

1. They would reap what they had sowed, Galatians 6.7-8

2. Once the harvesting starts it is too late to stop it.

3. Nebuchadnezzar started the destruction; it was completed when the Maccabaeus conquered them.

F) Israel’s triumph, vv. 17-21

1. Edom would perish but Jacob and Joseph’s houses would remain

2. Jacob and Joseph would once again be united; they are likened to a flame and fire that will consume the stubble.

3. Zion will be the place of protection and worship to God.

III) Application

A) The danger of pride still exist, 1 Corinthians 10.12

1. We can be prideful about many things: our military power, our technology, our intellect, our material possessions.

2. Many do not need God today, stop listening to Him.

B) We may not see our judgment coming

1. Many do not see the influence and cost of sin.

2. We want immediate gratification, lawlessness is common.

C) To do nothing is evil

1. Passive agreement with sin, Matthew 25.41-46

2. There is more to being a Christian than what we are not doing; Love thy neighbor, spread the gospel to name two

3. We can not remain neutral, Luke 16.13

D) We reap what we sow, Hosea 8.7

1. We are seeing the effects of violence in our streets and homes

2. Situation ethics, mothers and fathers leaving their families, lack of discipline.

IV) Christ In Obadiah

A) Mount Zion is our place of deliverance

1. Jerusalem, Zion, is the place where the church was established on the Day of Pentecost.

2. The Gospel of Salvation was preached to first the Jews and then to all mankind.

3. The kingdom belongs to the Lord; anyone can be a part of His kingdom as long as we are willing to serve the King.

D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 03.18.07

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