Obadiah Graphics





Vital statistics


 Purpose: To show that God judges those who have harmed his people
 Author: Obadiah. Very little is known about this man, whose name means "servant (or worshiper) of the Lord."
 Original audience: The Edomites and the Jews in Judah (the southern kingdom)
 Dare written: Possibly during the reign of Jehoram in Judah, 855-841 B.C., or possibly during Jeremiah's ministry, 627-586 B.C.
 Setting: Historically, Edom had constantly harassed the Jews. Prior to the time this book was written, they has participated in attacks against Judah. Given the dates above, this prophecy came after the division of Israel into the northern and southern kingdom and before the conquering of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.
 Key verse: "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" (1:15)
 Key people:  The Edomites
 Key places: Edom, Jerusalem
 Special features: The book of Obadiah uses vigorous poetic language and is written in the from of a dirge of doom.




The Rulers and Prophets of Obadiah's Time


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 Kings of Israel

(Northern Kingdom)

   

874 Ahab 853

841    Jehu    814

    
     

 Ahaziah

      
      Jehoram(Joram)852-841     

Prophets to Israel

(Northern Kingdom)

  

876        Elijah        852

852           Elisha          796

   
     
     

Kings of Judah

(Southern Kingdom)

   873 Jehoshap848Ahaziah 841     
   

Jehoram(Joram)853-841

 835 Joash (Jehoash) 796

  
      Q.Athaliah 841-835     

Obadiah and His Contemporary Prophets

(Southern Kingdom)

      

OBADIAH  841-825

Joel      825-809

    
          
    

Jahaziel 835-835

       
           
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Personality Profile: Obadiah
1 Name means: “Servant (or worshiper) of the Lord.”
Not to be confused with: Eleven other men in the Old Testament, including an official in charge of Ahab’s palace (1 Kin. 18:3–16).
Best known today as: The prophet whose vision of the Lord’s judgment on Edom is contained in the shortest book in the Old Testament.
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Abd 3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.


Outline

I.     The Doom of Edom (vv. 1–14).
A.     The Humbling of Proud Edom (vv. 1–4).
B.     The Thoroughness of the Slaughter of Edom (vv. 5–9).
C.     The Reason for Edom’s Destruction (vv. 10–14).
II.     Edom in “the Day of the Lord” (vv. 15–21).
A.     The Judgment of Edom and Other Nations (vv. 15, 16).
B.     Israel’s Place in “the Day of the Lord” (vv. 17–21).
1.     Salvation and Riches (v. 17).
2.     The Destruction of Edom (v. 18).
3.     The Enlargement of Borders (vv. 19, 20).
4.     The Lord and Those Who Reign with Him (v. 21).
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (Abd 1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.



Obadiah


Served as a prophet to Judah possibly around 853 B.C.

  CLIMATE OF THE TIMES

 
 Edom was a constant thorn in Judah's side. The Edomites often participated in attacks initiated by other enemies.
 
  
 MAIN MASSAGE


  God will judge Edom for its evil actions toward God's people. 
 
 IMPORTANCE OF MESSAGE

 
 Just as Edom was destroyed and disappeared as a nation, so God will destroy proud and wicked people.

 
 CONTEMPORARY PROPHETS

 
 Elijah (875-848 B.C.), Micaiah (865-853 B.C.), Jehu (853 B.C.)



The Blueprint


 
  1. EDOM'S DESTRUCTION (1:1-16)


   2. ISRAEL'S RESTORATION (1:17-21)

 
  The book of Obadiah shows the outcome on the ancient feud between Edom and Israel. Edom was proud of its high position, but God would bring her down. Those who are high and powerful today should not be overconfident in themselves, whether they are a nation, a corporation, a church, or a family. Just as Edom was destroyed for its pride, so will anyone be who lives in defiance of God.  
 






History of the conflict between Israel and Edom



  •  The nations of Israel descended from Jacob; the nation of Edom descended from Esau
  • Jacob and Esau struggled in their mother's womb
  • Esau sold his birthright and blessing to Jacob
  • Edom refused to let the Israelites pass through its land
  • Israel's kings had constant conflict with Edom.
    • Saul 
    • David
    • Solomon 
    • Jehoram
    • Ahaz
  • Edom urged Babylon to destroy Jerusalem

  •  Genesis 25:23
  • Genesis 25:19-26
  • Genesis 25:29-34
  • Numbers 20:14-22
  • 1 Samuel 14:47
  • 2 Samuel 8:13, 14
  • 1 Kings 11:14-22
  • 2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chronicles 21:8ff
  • 2 Chronicles 28:16
  • Psalm  137:7






Obadiah Overview