In the Bible study I teach, we are studying the minor prophets and we recently covered the Book of Obediah.
Obediah is likely the most overlooked of the minor prophets. It is the shortest book in the Old Testament, with only 21 verses, but it is rich in doctrine and importance. If you have never read this book, you should! Obadiah tells about the relationship between ancient Edom and Israel and contains powerful, relevant, and timeless lessons for us today.
Written by Obadiah, whose name means servant or worshipper of God, the date of the book is uncertain. In many ways, the book’s message parallels that of Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the futility of seeking satisfaction in worldly possessions and the fleeting contentment of such things.
Covenantal and Family Responsibilities
Obadiah addresses the sins of omission—forgetting, neglecting, and rejecting God and not helping a neighbor (in this case, family) in times of trouble. It can be said that the book teaches a lesson of God’s judgment for breaking His commandments—specifically, to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.
Obadiah’s message prophesied judgment and destruction that God would bring upon Edom. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. And although they were family, the Edomites were in constant conflict with Jacob’s descendants, the Israelites.
- They refused Moses’s request for passage through their land. (Num 20:14-20)
- They opposed King Saul (1 Sam 14:47)
- They fought against David (1 Kings 11:14-17)
- They opposed Solomon (1 Kings 11:14-25)
- They opposed Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 20:22)
- They rebelled against Jehoram (2 Chron 21:8).
Obadiah proclaimed that God would soon judge the Edomites for how they opposed their brothers, God’s chosen people, Israel.
Four Key People in Obadiah
- Edom – descendants of Esau
- Jacob -= descendants of Jacob
- Babylon -destroyers of Judah
- Obadiah – defender of the Covenant
Four Sins of Edom
- Edom acted violently against Israel.
Oba 1:10 For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever.
- Edom stood by and watched and then rejoiced when Babylon seiged Israel.
Oba 1:12 But you should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity, nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction. Nor should you have spoken proudly In the day of distress.
- Edom plundered and looted Jerusalem:
Oba 1:13 You should not have entered the gate of My people In the day of their calamity. Indeed, you should not have gazed on their affliction In the day of their calamity, Nor laid hands on their substance In the day of their calamity.
- Edom mistreated the survivors:
Oba 1:14 You should not have stood at the crossroads To cut off those among them who escaped; Nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained In the day of distress.
Obadiah prophesied that God would judge Edom for their sins. He also spoke of the necessity of repentance and of God’s faithfulness to His covenantal people despite their unfaithfulness.
Four Key Lessons
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Man is not the definer of significance; God is.
Oba 1:2-4 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? [The answer is God! He defines significance.] Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Ask yourself: Who or what defines me? Who am I trying to please? Do I believe what God says about me?
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Consequences always catch up.
Oba 1:12 But you should not have gazed on [looked and did nothing] the day of your brother In the day of his captivity;
Ask yourself: What problem am I ignoring? Do I trust that God will help me face it and take action?
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Take no joy in the failure of others vs 11
Oba 1:12 …neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly [boast] in the day of distress.
Ask yourself: Do other people’s failures make me feel better about myself? And if it’s a difficult person in my life, do I think they got what they deserved? Or do I remember that God’s love for me is undeserved, and He defines my worth?
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Covenants matter
Oba 1:20-21 The captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. And saviours [deliverers] shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.
Ask yourself: In my love for my family or friends, do I view the relationship as covenantal (committed and faithful)? God is faithful to the covenant relationship He has with me. Am I faithful to the relationships in my life?
Final Thoughts
I particularly like this book because it speaks to the importance of faithfulness in a family. God desires love and unity for all people, especially in our closest and utmost important relationships–family.
As Christians, we have a much greater covenant. Under the Old Covenant, God said: If you obey, I will protect you. But if you disobey, I will judge you. Under the New Covenant, God has promised: If you obey, I will protect you. But if you disobey, I will forgive you. You were already judged when Jesus took your sins upon Himself and died to pay the penalty for your sins.
Families, Forgiveness, and Faithfulness
God created two kinds of family. That of mankind —husband, wife, mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, and extended family, and the family of God — God as Father and we as brothers and sisters in Christ. God desires that unity and love prevail in all these relationships.
I suggest that the only way unity and love are secured and endure in relationships is through a commitment of faithfulness. There will always be times when it is difficult to love, and there will be people we consider to be unlovable. But God loved us when we were unlovable, forgave us when we were undeserving, and didn’t leave or turn from us when we were difficult.
Therefore, we should be faithful to the bond of love in our relationships with family and friends. When we remember the forgiveness and love that God has freely and unconditionally given us, we should, in turn, extend forgiveness and love to others—especially those in God’s family.
Gal 6:10 …as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
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