Obadiah means: Servant of the Lord. Let's consider the lessons we can learn from this short but powerful book.
1. Relationships:
The Edomites are the descendents of Esau, twin brother of Jacob (Israel). (Edom
means “Red” Esau was born red, red was the color of the stew he sold his
birthright, and red is the rocks and cliffs of Edom)In Genesis 25:21-34 we see
the birth of Jacob and Esau, in Genesis 27 Esau tricked out of his birthright, in
Genesis 32-33 the brothers meet again, Edom refuses safe passage during the
Exodus Numbers 20:14-21, broke from Israel after Solomon. How would you describe this “family” relationship?
2. Pride:
Obadiah 1-4 (read) They were secure in their protection (because of their geography)
and wisdom (legendary), but God spoke directly against this pride with His
Judgment in 5-9 How does pride destroy?
3. Consequences
of actions found in: Obadiah 10-14 (read) and Punishment described in 15-21(read)
What is the emphasis on in verse 15?
Compare
Obadiah to 1 Corinthians 1:19-31,
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Are you “boasting” in God?
