Overview of the Book of Obadiah
Monday, November 23
Read Obadiah
Think About It:
- Read verses 2-4, God says, “The pride of your heart has deceived you.” This helps explain why God is bringing judgment against Edom. They are filled with pride. How does pride deceive us? “The sobering truth about our pride is that God can bring us down anytime. He can shatter our proud deception and bring us low.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “ If you think you are standing firm, Be careful that you don’t fall.”
- “Sin proceeds by degrees; neither is any man at his worst at first” (John Trapp). God’s judgment was coming upon Edom because they treated God’s people terribly when distress and calamity came. First, they did nothing. Then they rejoiced in their distress and calamity. Then they took advantage of their vulnerable state. Then they joined in the violence against God’s people. Are we guilty of the same thing – or worse – when we see others in distress or calamity? If so, God sees it as sin, and He must deal with it in our life.
- The brief prophecy of Obadiah ends on this high note. The Edomites seemed to have their day against God’s people but at the end of it all, the kingdom shall be the LORD’s. God knows how to take care of His people and to advance His kingdom in a glorious way. Obadiah tells all God’s people: “Don’t worry about those who ignore your need, those who rejoice at your problems, those who take advantage of your crisis, those who join their hands with others in attacking you. I will take care of them.” Is this a message that you need to hear?
Family Time:
- What is pride? Can children have pride? Give some examples.
- What do you do when someone does something wrong to you? Do you hope that bad things happen to them? What does God say about revenge?
