Obadiah - The Lesson of the Destruction of Edom (Esau)

Obadiah 1:10

Outline - The Trial of the Edomites

1. The Defendant Named (v. 1)

   1. Edom - the nation of the descendants of Esau. (Genesis 25:21-28) -

   2. A picture of the evil of the “flesh”.

2. The Prophet - Obadiah “servant of Jehovah”

   1. The Accusations (vv. 2-15)

      1. They were proud. (vv. 3-4)

      2. They were enemies to Israel. (vv. 10-14)

         1. Denial of passage during the exodus. (Numbers 20:14-21)

         2. Opposition to Saul and David (1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:14)

         3. Celebration of Israel’s hardships. (Psalm 137:7)

   2. The Sentence (vv. 16-19)

      1. Shame - the captivity of Edom by Nabataens (300 B.C.) - Petra falls.

      2. Cut Off - The country was subdued under the Maccabaen rule and compelled to Jewry (160-125 B.C.), and became known as Idumaea which ceased to exist under the rule of the Romans.

Some Lessons

1. There is no place of safety from God’s judgment of pride. (vv. 3-4)

2. God hates pride. Proverbs 6:16-17; 15:25; 16:5; Jeremiah 13:5

3. We cannot hide sin from God. Genesis 3:9; Psalm 139:1-13

4. Man’s wisdom and might will fail. (vv. 8-9)

   1. The wisdom of Teman (grandson of Esau - Genesis 36:11) - Job 4:1; Jeremiah 49:7

   2. God’s wisdom and ways are superior. (Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

5. What goes around, comes around. (v. 15) -

6. The Law of Sowing and Reaping - Galatians 6:7-9

   1. Negative - Job 4:8; Hosea 8:7; 2 Corinthians 9:6

   2. Positive - Psalm 126:5-6; Hosea 10:12; 2 Corinthians 9:6