1 OBADIAH DATE There are no solid clues

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OBADIAH DATE: There are no solid clues in Scripture to date this book. Jewish tradition places it around 840 BC. Some feel it was written closer to the invasion by Nebuchadnezzar (approx. 610 BC), or even after the destruction of the temple (approx. 560 BC). NAME: Obadiah means “Servant of Yah” or “Worshipper of Yah”. 2

OBADIAH WHO: There are several Obadiah’s in Scripture, but we cannot be sure which one, if any, is the author of this book. • 1 Kings 18: 3 Governor of the house of Ahab • 1 Chronicles 3: 21 A descendant of king David • 1 Chronicles 7: 3 A chief of the tribe of Issachar • 1 Chronicles 8: 38 A son of Azel of Benjamin • 1 Chronicles 9: 16 A Levite • 1 Chronicles 12: 9 An outstanding soldier from Gad • 1 Chronicles 27: 19 Father of Ishmaiah from Zebulun • 2 Chronicles 17: 7 A teacher sent by Jehoshaphat to teach Judah • 2 Chronicles 34: 12 A son of Merari whom Josiah employed to repair the temple • Ezra 8: 9 One of the sons of Joab who returned from Babylon • Nehemiah 10: 5 One of the men sealed unto the Covenant • Nehemiah 12: 25 One of the porters keeping the ward at the gates 3

OBADIAH THEME: God’s anger and judgment on the people of Edom for their oppressions against Israel… and the glorious deliverance that is coming to Mount Zion. BREAKDOWN: • The Judgment of Edom : v. 1 - 9 • Edom’s Crimes Against Israel : v. 10 - 14 • The Day of the LORD – Deliverance in Zion : v. 15 - 21 4

OBADIAH The History of Edom and Israel The beginning of the troubles between Edom and Israel is found in Genesis 25. 22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. 23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 5

OBADIAH The History of Edom and Israel ESAU JACOB EDOM ISRAEL GENESIS 36 GENESIS 35 NO FUTURE GLORIOUS FUTURE 6

OBADIAH The History of Edom and Israel Edom in Israel’s History • The Amalakites – see Genesis 36: 16 • Edom resisting Israel’s advance to the promised land – Num. 20: 17 -21 • David subdued Edom – 2 Sam. 8: 13 -14 • Amaziah slaughtered the army of Edom – 2 Kings 14: 7 • Edom defeated Judah in the days of Ahaz – 2 Chron. 28: 17 7

OBADIAH PROPHECIES CONCERNING EDOM Ø Isaiah 11: 14 Ø Isaiah 63: 1 -6 Ø Daniel 11: 41 Ø Jeremiah 49: 7 -22 Ø Amos 1: 11 Ø Ezekiel 25: 12 -14 Ø Habakkuk 3: 3 Ø Ezekiel 35: 1 -15 8

OBADIAH The Prophecy Introduction – v. 1 - 2 The vision seen by Obadiah comes with divine seal that is seen with all the true prophets of God… “Thus saith the Lord GOD…” The call is for the nations to rise against Edom. These nations were to be directed by God to slowly destroy Edom was to be contemptible in their sight even though they were a formidable nation at the time. 9

OBADIAH The Prophecy Introduction – v. 1 - 2 Over the period of 600 years Edom was decimated by nations and peoples v Babylon – 580 BC v Greece – 332 BC v The Maccabees – 166 BC v John Hycanus – 135 BC v Simon of Garasa – AD 66 10

OBADIAH The Prophecy The Indictment of Edom – v. 3 - 6 Edom is guilty of many transgressions… v Pride – Proverbs 6: 16 -19 v Self Exultation – compare with Tower of Babel v No mercy toward others – in contrast with the grape gatherers v Hidden its spoils – Matthew 12: 35; James 5: 1 -6 11

OBADIAH The Prophecy The Destruction of Edom – v. 7 – 9 The destruction of Edom would be total… v They would be destroyed by their allies v All their wise men would be destroyed v All their soldiers would be cut off This is typical of what will happen to all those who do not obey God – 2 Thess. 1: 7 -10 12

OBADIAH The Prophecy Violence Against Jacob – v. 10 - 14 On top of the list already presented, Edom added to it by being in confederacy with those that invaded Judah: v They watched the invasion without helping v They rejoiced over the destruction of Jerusalem v They encouraged the invader v They invaded the city v They took the spoils of Jerusalem v They blocked the way of escape for Judah 13 v They captured and delivered Judah to the invaders

OBADIAH The Prophecy What goes around comes around – v. 15 - 16 Every act Edom committed against Judah would be returned upon their own heads. There was to be a difference though. With Judah there would be a remnant, but with Edom the destruction would be complete. See also v. 10. Today nothing remains of the people of Edom. They are gone and the only remains are what is found in archaeological digs. 14

OBADIAH The Prophecy Deliverance upon Mount Zion – v. 17 – 20 Future or Present? There is some debate as to whether this section has fulfillment in the present or at the return of Christ. I tend to lean toward the latter for the following reasons: 15

OBADIAH The Prophecy Deliverance upon Mount Zion – v. 17 – 20 ü Holiness – v. 17 ü The house of Joseph (Israel) present – v. 18 ü The destruction of the latter day Esau – v. 18 ü Possess Gaza, Bethlehem, Hebron, Lebanon, southern Jordan, West Bank, central Jordan – v. 19 - 20 16

OBADIAH The Prophecy The Final Act – v. 21 The final picture is a glorious one. Saviours have come to Zion and deliver Zion from the latter day Edom. The kingdom is the LORD’s. See Daniel 7: 22. 17

OBADIAH The Questions Who is latter day Edom? Anyone who is an antagonist against Israel… this includes so-called “Christian” nations, as well as Israel’s neighbours, the Arabs. Ultimately, the “Edom character” will be displayed by the invaders of Ezekiel 38, and so Israel will be delivered for its final time. 18