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 one final time. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
16 – Drank on My holy hill – Misbehaved in a holy place. Treated holy things as common
The cup of God’s wrath – Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15-16; 49:12. Jesus drank this cup (Matthew 26:42) for us already. We don’t need to drink it as well
Ezekiel 25:12-14 is a prophecy against Edom.
All nations drink continually/drink and drink – constantly drunk? Constantly punished? Shows a severe lack of self-control.
Be as if they had never been – WOW! God’s wrath will wipe them out!
Lamentations 5:21-22 – they will be naked – bare, vulnerable.
17 – Deliverance on Mt. Zion – see Joel 2:32. Read Amos 9:5-11 which speaks of Israel’s restoration. Micah 4:1-8 talks about judgment from Mount Zion.
Israel will receive her inheritance – implies that Edom may have been trying to take it. This is almost a role-reversal of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob. It would seem that Esau’s descendants wanted it back! Israel’s inheritance is the Lord, but this verse is speaking of the promised land. Too bad Edom didn’t really want Israel’s inheritance, because God would have welcomed them into His embrace.
God will save Zion. See Psalm 69:35. The Lord will save Israel. See Isaiah 14:1-2.
18 – Israel will be a fire – spreading? Passionate? Contrast fire as passion and destruction (punishment).
House of Joseph will be a flame???
Esau will be stubble – there, but insignificant. Annoying, itchy. A full beard was the mark of a man. Not to have a beard was shameful.
Edom will be set on fire and consumed, leaving no survivors. Isaiah 1:31 – punishment; Zechariah 12:6 – Judah will consume enemies; Jeremiah 49:10 – Edom will be wiped out!
19 – People from the Negev (dry wasteland) will occupy Edom’s land. What is significant about that? The Hebrew word Negev means “south”, just like Teman means “south”. Negev replaces Teman, Hebrew replaces Edomite.
People from the foothills will occupy Philistine’s land…and the fields of Ephraim and Samaria. Ooh, Ephraim is a tribe of Israel. Samaria is the capital of Israel.
Isaiah 11:14 speaks of the Philistine lands; Jeremiah 31:5 speaks of Samaria.
Benjamin will possess Gilead.
20 – Israelite exiles in Canaan will possess the land as far as Zarephath.
Exiles from Jerusalem in Sepharad will possess the towns of the Negev.
1 Kings 17:9-10 – A Zarephath widow ministered to Elijah. Zarephath is in Sidon.
Jeremiah 33:13 – Israel’s flocks will roam the Negev.
Israel will be displaced.
21 – Deliverers will go to Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. Mt. Zion is Edom’s territory? It would be delivered.
The kingdom would be the Lord’s – it already belongs to Him!
Psalm 22:28 – Dominion belongs to the Lord.
Psalm 66:4 – All the earth will bow down!
Daniel 2:4 – God’s kingdom.
Some parting questions:
Who is your brother?
How are you treating him?
What steps could you take to align yourself with God’s Word even further to become a better brother as well as growing closer to the Lord?
• 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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