Obadiah

This is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It is quite unique in that it is largely about Edom and not Israel. Obadiah has a special place in my heart. My very first sermons (at least ones delivered to an actual church congregation) were based on this book. Below you will find a summary outline, applications, 2 sermon outlines, and even a song I wrote based on Obadiah 1:10-14.

OUTLINE

A Message from the Lord (1:1-2, 5-6)

The God of Israel gave Obadiah a vision concerning the Edomites (one of their enemies). The Lord was stirring up nations to attack Edom and it would be defeated.

Pride Comes Before a Fall (1:3-4, 7-9)

One reason God was about to judge Edom had to do with their pride. They took pride in their power, their popularity, and their prestige… but all of these supposed sources of strength would fail them on the day of God’s judgment.

Hatred is a Slippery Slope (1:10-14)

A second reason God was about to judge them had to do with their violence toward Israel. Their hatred progressed from standing idly by as Israel was attacked, to rejoicing at their defeat, to plundering their possessions, to lending violent aid to their attackers.

Justice will Prevail (1:15-21)

Nations are accountable to God. They will be judged in accordance with their actions. Evil will be destroyed. In the end, only the Kingdom of God will remain.

APPLICATIONS

1.     Take comfort in the fact that God is a God of justice. In the end, justice will be done. The righteous will be vindicated. The wicked will be punished.

2.     Remember that God is a higher power than the nations of this world. Nothing happens without God’s knowing about it and either causing or permitting it.

3.     Patriotism has its place, but never find your ultimate security in your earthly nation, no matter its natural defenses, the strength of its allies, the supposed wisdom of its leaders, or the power of its military.

4.     The wicked should fear the wrath of God to a far greater extent than they fear the wrath of men.

5.     There are sins of omission and sins of commission. When we know what we should do and don’t do it, it is a sin.

6.     While a sense of vindication is appropriate when justice is carried out, we should not rejoice at the destruction of our enemies.

7.     We must examine whether our improving lifestyle is made possible by the suffering of others.

8.      People don’t often become violent in a day. It is usually a progression of the sin of hatred.

9.     There will be no survivors who belong to the Kingdom of Edom.

10.            Those who remain will be the ones who come to belong to God’s Kingdom.

 

SERMONS

Obadiah 1:1-9
The Pride of Edom

1. Edom had pride in their homeland Security
They had a natural system of defense
They didn’t recognize God as their protector
Does are nation depend on God?

2. Edom had pride in their political alliances
Edom had friends in high places
Do we use God as a last resort?
Only God can be trusted

3. Edom had pride in their wisdom and strength
Education is not the same as wisdom
Physical armor is not the same a spiritual armor

Obadiah 1:10-14
Levels of Mistreating a Brother

1. Allowing Evil
2. Supporting Evil
3. Benefiting from Evil
4. Participating in Evil

SONG

"Like One of Them"

Obadiah 1:10-14

We stand so still

Stare the storm of one who hurts

Our iron will

of hatred keeps us there

not long until

our deeds will return

and we’ll be killed

will we ever learn?

Chorus:

we’re like one of them

when we cease to lend a hand

and stand observing pain

gaining pleasure in  the terror

that’s fair we tell our hearts

which have started growing cold

as we fold our hands in hate

Our late brothers in that day

We think it’s right

That they should face this time

Of prolonged night

After all they did to us

In broad day light

They cut through us so deeply

In the fight

Will we have time to see?

Hate runs our land

Makes blood flow fast while

Deadening our hands

Brings hurt and pain but we

Don’t understand

How to end this sick sick

Cycle it demands

Will we keep on this way?