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 PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

Tonight we want to look at the prophet Obadiah who is the author of the smallest book in the Old Testament that carries his name.

The name Obadiah means “servant or worshiper of Jehovah.”

Among the Jewish people, many names, such as the name “Obadiah”, were common and they frequently occur in the Old Testament. In fact, there are at least 13 men in the Old Testament who went by the name Obadiah.

Little or nothing is known about the Obadiahs of the Bible.

In fact there were only two that came to my mind as I began to study this. You might remember that there is a man named Obadiah who was the governor of Ahab’s palace who hid one hundred of Jehovah’s prophets in 1 Kings 18:3-16 and then there is the Prophet Obadiah.

We are going to look at the Prophet Obadiah this evening.

All we know about this Prophet is that he was a prophet who wrote the briefest book in the Old Testament.

His origin, age, life, country, parents, and grave are all unknown. His is the voice of a stranger.

None of his personal history, not a single incident or even a single tradition has been preserved.

I think the message from God to us is that the work is more important than the worker.

Obadiah’s prophecy has always been a favorite of the Jews because of its prophecy against one of Israel’s bitterest enemies– A country and people that went by the name Edom.

Edom was Judah’s southern neighbor, sharing a common boundary. But we know that neighbors are not always friends, and Edom liked nothing about Judah or Israel.

According to Genesis 25:30 and Genesis 36:1, we know that the people of Edom were the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. Edom means “red.”

The Scriptures reveal that from early on there was frequent conflict between the two races.

Remember how that Jacob and Esau struggled in their mother’s womb. (Genesis 25:19-26)

Also, when Esau sold his birthright to Jacob and Jacob deceived his father Isaac into giving him the blessing of the firstborn it caused family friction. (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-45)

So much so, in fact, that Esau hated Jacob and wanted to kill him. (Genesis 27:41)

When Jacob returned home in Genesis 33, we know that Jacob feared what Esau might do when he met him in the way.

In Numbers 20:14-22, the Edomites, the descendant of Esau, showed themselves unfriendly to Moses and the Israelites, and refused them passage through their territory when marching towards Canaan, and this bitterness continued.

Israel’s kings had constant conflict with Edom. (Saul, David, Solomon, Jehoram, and Ahaz)

According to Psalm 137:7, Edom encouraged Babylon to destroy Jerusalem.

Up to the time that Obadiah was given this message, Edom had rejoiced over the misfortunes of both Israel and Judah. Therefore, God used Obadiah to pronounce judgment on Edom for their callous and malicious actions toward His people.

We could say that “Edom” stands as the typical designation for all the deadliest foes of the House of Israel.

As we look at the Book that he penned, we see that Obadiah’s style in writing is full of individuality. His language is simple and pure and in the Hebrew language, it is highly poetic.

The lessons to be gathered from Obadiah’s description of the character and career and then downfall and doom of Edom; should be clearly evident to us. It is not wise to mess with those who belong to God. God will get vengeance.

Edom’s capital at this time was Petra, a city that was considered impregnable because it was cut into a solid rock cliff and set in a canyon that could be entered only through a narrow gap.

What Edom perceived as its strengths would be its downfall.

I.         EDOM’S DESTRUCTION.

            A.        Edom Thought There Was Safety In Their City. (Vs 3-4)

                        However, God would send them plummeting from the heights.

            B.        Edom Had Pride In Their Self-Sufficiency. (Vs 4)

                        However, God would humble them.

            C.        Edom Was Confident In Their Wealth. (Vs 5-6)

                        However, thieves would steal all they had.

            D.        Edom Was Confident In Their Allies. (Vs 7)

                        However, God would cause them to turn against Edom.

            E.        Edom Was Confident In Their Wisdom. (Vs 8-9)

                        However, God would send them confusion.

II.       EDOM’S SIN.

            A.        Edom Was An Enemy To Israel. (Vs 10)

            B.        Edom Refused To Help Israel. (Vs 11)

            C.        Edom Rejoiced At The Misfortunes Of Israel And Judah. (Vs 12)

            D.        Edom Looted Jerusalem. (Vs 13)

            E.        Edom Betrayed Their Blood Brothers In Times Of Crisis. (Vs 14)

            F.        Edom Aided Judah And Israel’s Enemies. (Vs 14)

III.      EDOM’S LIKENESS. ( Vs 15-16)

            God will treat as Edom all those who treat God’s people wrongly. Matthew 25:31-46

IV.      ISRAEL’S RESTORATION. (VS 17-21)

            The Edomites were routed by Judas Maccabeus in 185 B.C.

            The nation no longer existed by the first century A.D.

At the time of Obadiah’s prophecy, Edom may have seemed more likely to survive than Judah. Yet Edom has vanished and Judah still exists.

This demonstrates the absolute certainty of God’s Word and of the punishment awaiting all who have mistreated God’s people.

Conclusion

Obadiah brought God’s message of judgment on Edom. God was displeased with both their inward and outward rebellion.

People today are much the same as those in Obadiah’s time. We see arrogance, envy, and dishonesty, and we wonder where it will all end.

Regardless of sin’s effects, however, we rest in the knowledge that God is in control.

As we struggle, we should not despair or give up hope. When all is said and done, the Lord will still be King, and the confidence that we place in Him will not be in vain.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!