SUMMARY OF OBADIAH
Obadiah prophecies against Edom here. Edom will be brought down by God, and they will be despised. God will destroy the Edomites because of their violence against Jacob. As Edom has done, so it will be done to them. There will be no survivors from Esau, and their land will be taken over by others.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 5: Obadiah
12) God will destroy the Edomites because of their violence against Jacob. They were like the other dations who rejoiced over Judah’s defeats.
13a) They gloated over Judah, boasted in their trouble, cut down the Israelites when they fled, and handed over the survivors. They did nothing while strangers carried off their wealth and foreigners entered their gates. Genesis tells of Esau selling his birthright and of Edom denying help to Israel when they were coming out of Egypt.
b) People rejoice all the time when others fail and don’t offer help when they are in trouble. It’s really quite sad.
14) Jacob (Israel) will possess his inheritance. They will be delivered, and all of their enemies, including Edom, will be destroyed.
15) It’s always helpful to remember God is in control when things go wrong in this world. And, that life does get better when God rules over all.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 5: Obadiah
This is encouraging how God defends His people against oppressors and those who harm them. With all the evil in the world, God will win out.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 5: Obadiah
Fun Fact: Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament.
Obadiah 1:1-9 is seen in Jeremiah 49:7-22, so Jeremiah knew Obadiah’s prophecy well.
Obadiah means “worshiper of Yahweh.”
There are 13 different Obadiah’s in the Bible, and one may be the one who wrote this book. Edom means “red,” which references the color of Esau’s hair.
Obadiah’s prophecy is solely focued on Edom, unique in the Bible.
Who Were the Edomites?
The Edomites were the group of people descended from Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the brother of Jacob (Genesis 25:19-34). For most of their recorded history, they were against Israel. They disappeared as a people group in the rebellion against Rome in A.D. 66-70.
Obadiah’s prophecy most likely took place during the time of Jehoram (848-841 B.C.). Thus, he would have been alive when Elisha was, and this puts him before Joel. The prophet Obadiah may be the same in 2 Chronicles 17:7.
2 Chronicles 21:16-17 is during the reign of Jehoram (848-841 B.C.).
2 Kings 24 and 25 describe the attack of the Babylonians against Jerusalem in 586 B.C.
Edomites were prideful and claimed to be wise. God can (and does) bring us down any time.
Edom did not help Israel ever Numbers 32:23 and instead gloated in their downfall and cut them down when they were low.
God will defend the Israelites and give them the Edomites’ land.
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