Obadiah 1

1:1Obadiah was a prophet from Judah who told of God’s judgment against the nation of Edom. There are two commonly accepted dates for this prophecy: (1) between 855 and 840 B.C., when King Jehoram and Jerusalem were attacked by a Philistine/ Arab coalition (2 Chronicles 21:16ff); (2) 586 B.C., when Jerusalem was completely destroyed by the Babylonians (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36). Edom had rejoiced over the misfortunes of both Israel and Judah, and yet the Edomites and Jews descended from two brothers—Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:19-26). But just as these two brothers were constantly fighting, so were Israel and Edom. God pronounced judgment on Edom for its callous and malicious actions toward his people.

1:3Edom was Judah's southern neighbor, sharing a common boundary. But neighbors are not always friends, and Edom liked nothing about Judah. Edom’s capital at this time was Sela (perhaps the later city of Petra), a city considered impregnable because it was cut into rack cliffs and set in a canyon that could be entered only through a narrow gap. What Edom perceived as its strengths would be its downfall: (1) safety in their city (1:3, 4)—-God would send them plummeting from the heights; (2) pride in their self-sufficiency (1:4)—God would humble them; (3) wealth (1:5, 6)}—-thieves would steal all they had; (4) allies (1:7)—God would cause them to turn against Edom; (5) wisdom (1:8, 9}—the wise would be destroyed.

1:3The Edomites felt secure, and they were proud of their self-sufficiency. But they were fooling themselves because there is no lasting security apart from God. Is your security in objects or people? Ask yourself how much jasting security they really offer. Possessions and people can disappear in a moment, but God does not change. Only he can supply true security.

1:4The Edomites were proud of their city carved right into the tock. Today Sela, or Petra, is considered one of the marvels of the ancient world, but only as a tourist attraction. The Bible warns that pride is the surest route to self-destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Just as Petra and Edom fell, so will proud people fall. A humbie person is More secure than a proud person because humility gives a more accurate perspective of oneself and the world.

1:4-9God did not pronounce these harsh judgments against Edom out of vengeance but in order to bring about justice. God is morally perfect and demands complete justice and fairness. The Edomites were simply getting what they deserved. Because they murdered, they would be murdered. Because they robbed, they would be robbed. Because they took advantage of others, they would be used. Don’t talk yourself into sin, thinking that “nobody will know” or “t won't get caught.” God knows ail our sins, and he will be just.

1:8Edom was noted for its wise people. There is a difference, however, between human wisdom and God’s wisdom. The Edomites may have been wise in the ways of the world, but they were foolish because they ignored and even mocked God.

1:9Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends (Job 2:11), was from Teman, about five miles east of Petra. Teman was named after Esau’s grandson (Genesis 36:11).

1:10,11The Israelites had descended from Jacob, and the Edomites, from his brother, Esau (Genesis 25:19-26). Instead of helping Israel and Judah when they were in need, Edom had allowed them to be destroyed and even had plundered what was {eft behind. Edom, therefore, acted like an enemy and would be punished. Anyone who does not help God's people is God's enemy. If you have withheld your help from someone in a time of need, this is sin (James 4:17). Sin includes not only what we do, but also what we refuse to do. Don't ignore or refuse to help those in need.

1:12The Edomites were glad to see Judah in trouble. Their hatred made them want the nation destroyed. For their wrong attitudes and actions, God wiped out the Edomites. How often do you find yourself rejoicing at the misfortunes of others? Because God alone is the judge, we must never be happy about others’ misfortunes, even if we think they deserve them (see Proverbs 24:17).

1:12-14Of all Israel and Judah’s neighbors, the Edomites were the only ones not promised any mercy from God. This was because they looted Jerusalem and rejoiced at the misfortunes of

1:17-21The Edomites were routed by Judas Maccabeus in 164 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.

1:19The Negev was the southern part of Judah, a dry, hot region. The foothills were in the western part of Judah.

1:20The boundaries of the kingdom would be extended to include Phoenicia as far north as Zarephath, located between Tyre and Sidon on the Mediterranean coast.

1:21Obadiah brought God's message of judgment on Edom. God was displeased with both their inward and their outward rebellion. People today are much the same as people in Obadiah’s time, filled with arrogance, envy, and dishonesty. We may wonder how much fonger evil will continue. Regardless of sin’s effects, however, God is in control. Don’t despair or give up hope. Know that when all is said and done, the LORD is still sovereign, and the confidence you place in him will not be in vain.

4:21Edom is an example to ai! the nations that are hostile to God. Nothing can break God’s promise to protect his people from complete destruction. In the book of Obadiah we see four aspects of God's message of judgment: (1) Evil will certainly be punished; (2) those faithful to God have hope for a new future; (3) God is sovereign in human history; (4) God’s ultimate purpose is to establish his eternal Kingdom. The Edomites had been cruel to God’s people. They were arrogant and proud, and they took advantage of others’ misfortunes. Any nation that mistreats people who obey God will be punished, regardless of how invincible they appear. Similarly we, as individuals, cannot allow ourselves to feel so comfortable with our wealth or security that we fail to help God's people. This is sin. And because God is just, sin will be punished.