Today’s passage: Obadiah 19-21

Helpful thoughts:

• The Negeb (Or Negev) region in Judah was the area closest to Edom and therefore most often fought over and disputed.
• The people of Israel will dwell in the land they had lost and the lands of those who surround them.  The expansion in this passage spreads north, south, east and west.
• The kingdom will be the LORD’s.
  • Yahweh will rule as king. (Read Revelation 19-20:6)
  • The gods (And the people) of the other nations will have failed to thwart Him.
  • Israel will no longer reject His reign as they did when asking for a king like the other nations.

Questions to consider:

1. How does this prophecy point to Jesus Christ?
2. How can the fact of Christ’s victory and coming reign give you confidence to follow Him today?

Today’s passage: Obadiah 15-18

Helpful thoughts:

• God is going to bring judgment on all the nations (Edom will not escape).
• The drinking going on in these verses is like that of Jeremiah 25:15-29.  What the people are drinking is the wrath of God.
• In comparing the houses of Jacob and Joseph to fire and Esau to stubble, God is promising that Israel itself will be who He uses to destroy Edom.

Questions to consider:

1. How was this bad news for Edom (and the nations) good news for Israel?
2. Are the people of Israel the ones whom Edom should fear?
3. Why is there good news for Israel?  What (Or Who) made Mount Zion holy and the land their possession?
4. How should this prophecy encourage and also humble the people of God?

Today’s passage: Obadiah 10-14

Helpful thoughts:

• After nine verses of prophesied judgment, God gives the reason for Edom’s future demise.
• Edom should have treated Judah as a brother.  Instead they were an enemy.
• There are eight “Do not” rebukes in this passage.

Questions to consider:

1. What are the different sinful actions and attitudes that Edom committed?  What should they have done?
2. In Luke 10:29-37, Jesus answers the question, “Who is my neighbor?” with the parable of the good Samaritan.  The Jews did not like the Samaritans and the Samaritans didn’t like the Jews.  How can this parable help us to rightly apply this passage today in Obadiah?
3. Is there someone you know who is presently suffering?  How could you be a help and show the love of Christ to them today? And, for the children: If you see someone being bullied or made fun of at school today, how can you apply today’s passage?

Today’s passage: Obadiah 1-9

Helpful thoughts:

• General info:
  • Obadiah’s name means, “The Lord’s servant”.
  • This book of prophecy was written after the Babylonian conquest of Judah and Jerusalem.  The Edomites (Descendants of Esau the brother of Jacob) had helped Babylon to round up those who were fleeing and even went so far as to take up residence in some of the abandoned villages.
  • The first 14 verses will consist of messages to the people of Edom.
  • The final 7 verses will be addressed to the nations and to Israel.
• The Edomites lived south and east of the dead sea, high above sea level and in rocky and mountainous terrain.  They felt well protected, but their natural surroundings would not be too great for God to overcome.
• God promises to Edom:
  • Their produce will be plundered.
  • Their wealth will be taken.
  • Their allies will turn against them.
  • Their wise men and warriors alike will be slaughtered.

Questions to consider:

1. What were the Edomites trusting in for their safety?  Did they seem to be worried about any outside threats?
2. Who did God say was going to bring Edom down?
3. What can we learn about God from this passage that we don’t often hear people talk or sing about?