But God!

Show Notes

Scripture: Genesis 17:3-16 / Obadiah

SHOW NOTES:

Today, we begin a new series on the podcast, Season #21 – Hope & Promise: The book of Obadiah. It’s a short prophetic book in the Old Testament, located between Amos and Jonah.

What is the message, and how does it relate to us today? To understand the book of Obadiah, let’s go back in history… all the way to Genesis.

God called Abram out of the distant land of Haran and promised that he would become a great nation. This was an everlasting covenant between God and Abraham and his future descendants.

“I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”

Genesis 17:7-8

Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, and his wife Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah. Isaac was born when they were both old. Isaac married Rebekah and was 60 years old when they welcomed twin boys.

The rivalry between these two brothers—Jacob and Esau—began in their mother’s womb and lasted for many generations. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, and Esau’s name was changed to Edom.

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Show Notes

Scripture: Obadiah 1-4

SHOW NOTES:

God’s desire is for His followers to trust Him and live humbly with others. Love God. Love others. Today’s Bible lesson focuses on pride, including personal pride and the arrogant pride of a nation that believes it is invincible.

Obadiah is the shortest book (a single chapter) in the Hebrew Bible, located between Amos and Jonah. This book is a powerful oracle that highlights God’s judgment against Edom (the descendants of Esau) for their pride and betrayal of Judah.

Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom:
We have heard a report from the LORD,
and a messenger has been sent among the nations:
“Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!”

Obadiah 1

A struggle that started in the womb between twin brothers, Esau and Jacob, leads to a conflict between their descendants, the Edomites and the Israelites. Because the Edomites stubbornly refuse to help Israel, first during their wilderness wanderings (Nm 20:14-21) and later during an invasion, they are strongly condemned by Obadiah. This little-known prophet describes their crimes, reviews their case, and declares their judgment: TOTAL DESTRUCTION.

After her enemies invaded Judah, the Edomites celebrated and mocked her suffering. Because they lived in seemingly undefeatable cities carved out of rock cliffs—like those seen today in Petra—they confidently believed nothing could harm them. However, as Obadiah would reveal, they were wrong.

Head to Heart

The Almighty Lord is sovereign and rules over all nations, not just Israel. He is the Righteous Judge and will deliver judgment on all people with equity and fairness.

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Show Notes

Psalm 73:3-6, 16-28

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3 – I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

4 – They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.

5 – They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

6 – They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.

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16 – So, I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!

17 – Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

18 – Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

19 – In an instant, they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.

20 – When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

21 – Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.

22 – I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

23 – Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

24 – You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

25 – Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

26 – My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

27 – Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.

28 – But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Show Notes

Scripture: Obadiah 10-14

SHOW NOTES:

Obadiah is the shortest book (21 verses) in the Hebrew Scriptures, found among the Minor Prophets. This powerful prophetic message delivers God’s divine judgment against Edom for their pride, arrogance, and exploitation of Jerusalem during the Babylonian invasion. Edom, descendants of Esau, is condemned for failing to support their brothers, the descendants of Jacob—they even captured fleeing Judeans and handed them over to enemies.

It was morally wrong for the nation of Edom to harm, rather than bless, their brother. This goes back to the very origins of the two nations — it began with Esau’s hatred for his brother Jacob. That hatred eventually led to outright physical violence.

When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them. Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.

Obadiah 1:11

Edom watched with complete indifference to the pain and suffering of their close relatives, Israel. They saw what was happening but did nothing.

Why will Edom be judged? The prophet Amos provides this word from the Lord.

This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent. Because he pursued his brother with a sword and slaughtered the women of the land, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked.”

Amos 1:11

Head to Heart – God is a Righteous Judge, and He keeps the score. Under His watchful eye, no one will escape His judgment. Let us remember that the Lord is merciful and gracious. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

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Show Notes

Scripture: Obadiah 1:15-18

SHOW NOTES:

The book of Obadiah is a vision from the Sovereign LORD concerning the land of Edom. We might overlook this message because we don’t understand the prophecy or because it doesn’t seem relevant to us today. However, the truth found in these twenty-one verses can transform the way we live each day.

Pride in our hearts can lead to mistreatment and violence toward others. This happened with the Edomites. They were misled by their pride and boasted of their importance and safety, living in a rock fortress.

The “day of the LORD,” a key theme in Israel’s end-times beliefs, points to future events. This DAY signifies the time when God’s rule is established in human history, and He judges all enemies who oppose His reign. This “day,” then, decides the fate of Edom and other nations that oppose Israel.

The day is near when I, the LORD, will judge all godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads.

Obadiah 1:15

We serve a holy and righteous God, who is the perfect Judge over all. This calls us to follow Him and live according to His commands and Holy Law. Lord, shine Your light on our sins of pride and selfishness. It is our desire to walk faithfully with God.

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Show Notes

Scripture: Obadiah 19-21

SHOW NOTES:

The short book of Obadiah addresses the pride and sin of the Edomites. Yet in the prophet’s vision, God extends His hope and promise to those who follow Him. Israel will ultimately defeat Edom, and the Lord will restore the Promised Land. The day is coming when every knee will bow.

Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem to rule over the mountains of Edom. And the Lord Himself will be king!

Obadiah 1:21

Head to Heart

Friends, we must remember that even in the bleakest times, God is at work, preparing His people for the greatest victory. Trust Him. All honor and praise to His Holy Name—King of kings!

For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.

Psalm 47:2

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