Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Obadiah, although they are a bit better formatted than some former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, spring 2009, things are looking pretty bleak with the economy and unemployment, natural disasters, and godly principles of living being disregarded. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Stay strong. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…
Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor the Old Testament book of Obadiah for the second time. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
6 – But even Edom’s hidden treasures will be taken. The Edomites hid their wealth in the rocks. Why mention Esau here? To give a clue about Edom’s origin?
This identical image appears in Jeremiah 49:10.
LESSON – EDOM WAS GREEDY.
7 – Edom will run away, not defend their land.
Edom will be attacked and defeated by allies, those they have honored and cared for. Edom will be entrapped by these people, oblivious to the trap.
See Psalm 41:9 – those with whom you eat bread are close friends. This speaks of betrayal.
LESSON – EDOM WAS COWARDLY.
8-14 – Prophecy? Or after the fact? Edom betrayed Israel when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 587 BC.
8 – In that day, the Lord will destroy Edom’s wise men. God will destroy them by astounding them with wonder upon wonder (Isaiah 29:14). The Lord thwarts the plans of the crafty (Job 5:12). Wise men? Esau was known for brute strength and a hot temper, not wisdom.
LESSON – EDOM WAS HOT-HEADED.
9 – Teman? Esau’s grandson by his son, Eliphaz (Genesis 36:11,34). Eliphaz was firstborn, the first sign of Esau’s strength.
Edom’s warriors from the line of Teman will be terrified. Genesis 36:10-43 shows Esau’s descendants. This is saying something significant. Esau was a big brute of a guy, so his sons were probably “men’s men”.
Everyone in the mountains would be slaughtered. Teman’s land refers to the south. Teman was an important Edomite city. Did Esau’s family split up their land the way Israel did?
LESSON – EDOM WAS A WARRIOR PEOPLE.
10 – Because of Edom’s violence against Jacob, Edom would be utterly shamed and destroyed. Edom’s behavior is so deplorable because he is Jacob’s brother!
Joel 3:19 confirms Edom’s demise because of her violence against Judah. See Psalm 137:7 – Edom calls for Jerusalem to be torn down. Edom cries out for this.
Amos 1:11-12 speaks of the three sins of Edom against his brother: he pursued his brother with a sword, he had no compassion, and his anger raged and fury flamed.
God will send fire against Teman. Seems a fitting punishment for flaming fury. Bozrah is in the mountains of Edom. These two cities were critical to Edom being able to wage war continually.
Ezekiel 25:12-14 is a prophecy against Edom for its treatment of Judah. 35:9 explains that God does this so Edom will know He is the Lord! ALL CONSEQUENCES FROM GOD ARE FOR RECONCILIATION!!!!!
Micah 7:8 says that Israel will rise again.
LESSON – EDOM WAS VIOLENT. EDOM CHASED HIS OWN BROTHER WITH A SWORD. EDOM HAD NO COMPASSION. EDOM WAS FILLED WITH ANGER.
• The book of Obadiah teaches much about how NOT to treat our brothers and sisters. What have you learned about how you SHOULD treat others today?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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