Obadiah | Resources
Introduction to Obadiah
Many Prophetic Books contain prophecies against several nations, but the book of Obadiah focuses exclusively on the nation of Edom. Obadiah’s short message centers on the approaching day of the Lord and the promise that Israel will possess the land of Edom.
Gregory W. Parsons, “Obadiah,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes , ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1393.
Memory Verse
“Saviors will ascend Mount Zion to rule over the hill country of Esau, and the kingdom will be the Lord’s.” Obadiah 21 (CSB)
Bible Reading
Take time to engage with God’s Word this week. Answer these questions: What is the main idea of this passage? What’s something that stood out? How does this passage point to Jesus? How can I live out what I read?
– Day 1 — Obadiah 1–5
– Day 2 — Obadiah 6–10
– Day 3 — Obadiah 11–15
– Day 4 — Obadiah 16–21
– Day 5 — Obadiah 1–21
Discussion/Reflection Questions
1) Summarize the story that is being told.
2) What is the answer to a long-standing, bitter feud or conflict?
3) How do you see God’s sovereignty at work in the world? What can we do to cooperate with His plans?
4) What does this book teach us about God, ourselves, or the gospel?
5) How is the Holy Spirit prompting you to repent or obey?
Devotional
I didn’t sleep much last night. The chigger bites on my legs were getting the best of me. I knew where I got them. And, more importantly, I knew why I had gotten them—my pride.
There is an area on our property that is known for chiggers. Chiggers are microscopic bugs that live in the weeds and timber. They wait for their unsuspecting host to walk by so that they can catch a free ride. They then bury themselves into their host’s skin for a snack. In humans, they produce a mosquito-like bite that can last for weeks.
As I lay in a bath of Epsom salts at 4 AM, hoping to gain relief, I thought how this whole thing could have been prevented. Two days before, I was heading out to work in the yard, and my wife reminded me that I needed to apply a heavy dose of bug spray “so I wouldn’t get CHIGGERS!” She used her kindergarten teacher voice, and I reacted arrogantly in my mind, “I don’t need no stinking bug spray! I’m too much of a man to get chiggers.” I was wrong.
As I was soaking, my mind drifted to my morning reading of Obadiah. The story goes something like this: The nation of Edom was condemned for attacking Jerusalem. They arrogantly ignored God’s warning. They acted in a self-serving manner. They acted on their desires and ignored the impact of their pride on others. A fundamental principle emerges that we need to be consistently reminded of: when people remove themselves or place themselves in opposition to God, they can expect judgment.
It reminds me of Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction. And a haughty spirit before stumbling.”
As you think about your day today, think through those moments where you demand your way. Think through those times when you acted arrogantly and went your own way. Then, ask God to help you be sensitive to His way and the needs of others.