Obadiah 1:10-21

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Edom’s Wrong Treatment of Israel, and Israel’s Ultimate Triumph

BACKGROUND NOTES




DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. In the Day of distress, God holds people accountable.

  2. On the Day of the Lord, God will settle all accounts.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don't gloat over your brother's day of misfortune.

QUESTIONS

  1. When was the prophecy of Obadiah written?

  2. Who was the original audience of Obadiah's prophecy? One might assume it was Edom, because Edom is denounced. But who else would benefit from hearing a denouncement on Edom?

  3. What New Testament passage echoes the message that Israel didn't need to seek their own revenge on Edom?

  4. What is the Day of the Lord? Has it occurred yet?

  5. Who are the deliverers of Obadiah 21?

ANSWERS

  1. Verse 11 mentions an invasion of Jerusalem. Edom was an ally to the enemy during this invasion. This was probably when the Philistines invaded Jerusalem during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, around 845 B.C. (see 2 Chronicles 21) This would put the date of Obadiah around 840 B.C.

  2. The original audience of the book was Israel. It was given as a message of comfort and encouragement that God would repay the Edomites for their evil.

  3. Romans 12:19 “'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord.”

  4. The Day of the Lord can be defined as a time when the Lord intervenes in the affairs of a nation, bringing judgment or blessing. Ultimately this is a still future time period that will include the Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom of our Lord. Some historical events (such as the destruction of Edom) foreshadow the judgments in the end times.

  5. Maybe us. We might be judges when we reign with Christ in His coming kingdom (see 1 Corinthians 6:2).

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Edom had participated in Israel's hurt, and now they were suffering themselves. Read Galatians 6:7. Discuss how the “You reap what you sow” principle is true in many areas of life. Business, inter-personal relationships, etc.

  2. It is all too easy to “gloat over your brother's day of misfortune” (v. 12). What drives this tendency? What can you do so that you will respond more appropriately to your brother's day of distress?

CHALLENGE

  1. As growing Christians we are called to help those in distress. Distress comes in many forms. Do you know anyone in distress that you could help right now?

  2. The Day of the Lord is imminent- He could come back any time! This seems to be a forgotten truth today. How can you develop an attitude that sincerely looks forward to the Lord's return? What affect should His imminent return have on your life? (see I John 3:3)

KEY VERSES

  • “Do not gloat over your brother's day of misfortune”  Obadiah 1:12

  • “…As you have done, it shall be done to you…”  Obadiah 1:15

  • “…the kingdom shall be the Lord's.”  Obadiah 1:21

Ron Reid