The prophets

• Major and Minor Prophets…
• There are 16 prophetic books in the Old Testament – broken up into 2 sections…
• There are 4 Major Prophets – Isaiah / Jeremiah / Ezekiel / and Daniel…
• And there are 12 Minor Prophets – from Hosea to Malachi…
• They are not minor in that they are less important – they are just shorter in length!

• The book of Obadiah…
  • 1^st – Who was Obadiah …
    • The simple answer is – we have no idea…
    • His name means the ‘servant of Yahweh’ – but we do not know where he was from…
    • We do not know when he prophesied – or where he prophesied!
    • That has not stopped people from guessing – I am amazed at how people can fill in the blanks!
    • If the Bible is silent – so should we be – it is VERY dangerous to make assumptions…
    • The Bible does not give us answers to EVERY question…
    • It DOES give us answers to the MOST important question – how to have eternal life…
    • If we get that one right – we can ask Jesus about all the rest in Heaven!
  • 2^nd – We do know who Obadiah prophesied about…
    • A book of contrast – Obadiah compares the dependents of Esau and Jacob!
      • Edom was the home of the descendants of Esau – brother of Jacob/Israel…
      • While Jacob became Israel – a man governed by God – became a Godly nation…
      • Esau was only concerted about his daily needs – sold his birthright for soup…
      • And when Jacob stole his blessing – deceiving old blind Isaac by dressing up like Esau…
      • Esau begged his father for some – even one – of the blessings – Genesis 27:34
      • But there was nothing left for Esau – and he hated his brother from that day on!
    • The decedents of Esau followed his example – they cared very little about God…
      • And carried a passionate hatred for Israel – always looking for opportunities to harm them!
      • Many today are like Esau – they reject their birthright as the children of God…
      • Seeking only after the things of this world – only to find they end up with nothing!
      • Seeking riches and blessings – only to find poverty and bitterness!

The fall of Edom… (3 things)

• 1^st – The Judgment of Edom… vs. 1-9
  • 1^st – The Vision of Obadiah… vs. 1-2
    • This is what the Lord God (Adonai YHVH) says concerning Edom…
    • God sent out a messenger (ambassador) to spread a rumor among the nations…
    • Get ready everyone! Let us assemble our armies and attack Edom!
    • God made Edom appear small (vulnerable) and made them greatly despised by the nations!
    • Because if any nation is great and prosperous – it is only by the providence of God…
    • If any nation is brought low and destroyed – it is by His justice!
  • 2^nd – The pride of Edom… vs. 3-4
    • In their pride Edom thought they were untouchable / indestructible…
      • They built grand cities in the ‘clefts of the rocks’ – speaking of their carved marvels…
      • Cities like Petra (rock) in modern day Jordan – 3000 ft. up in the mountains…
      • To get to Petra – narrow canyon only wide enough for people to pass through single file!
      • Once inside all the buildings are ornately carved into the sandstone walls of cliffs!
    • Even though they ascended as high as the eagles / nest among the stars (high up)…
      • They were not protected from the Lord – God would bring them crashing down!
      • Turn on the news and most headlines are warning about the corona virus…
      • No matter how great a nation – something so small can bring the mighty to their knees!
      • We have a unique position in America – we feel like we are untouchable!
      • We are separated from the rest of the world by oceans – live in mighty cities!
      • But even though our nation has the symbol of an eagle / and stars on our flag…
      • The greatness of America has nothing to do with our history / politics / or justice…
      • We are only great because of God – and if we turn our back on God – heaven help us!
      • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
  • 3^rd – The complete destruction of Edom… vs. 5-9
    • Thieves will rarely take everything someone owns (limited by what they can carry)…
      • And those who harvest grapes will always leave some behind for the poor…
      • But in the destruction of Edom nothing would leave behind!
      • Every hidden treasure would uncovered – every ally would betray them…
      • God would destroy all the wise man – the men of Teman – Jeremiah 49:7-21 (parallel)
      • The men of Teman were known for their wisdom – Job 2:11 (Temanite)
      • All the mighty men – speaking of the military – would flee in terror!
      • So that God could completely wipe out the Edomites – not one would survive!
      • Herod the Great was from Idumea – or he was an Edomite….
      • The last of the Edomites was his family – from there they disappear from history!
    • The Edomites would look to everything but God for salvation…
      • They would look to money (treasure) – they would look to their friends (allies)…
      • They would look to their education (wise man) – and their military (mighty men)…
      • But everything would fail them – in the day when the Lord came to judge them!
      • One day everyone will stand before the Judgment seat of Christ – in that day…
      • Money will not save us – friends cannot help us – there will be no debate (wisdom)…
      • And there will be no fight – just a simple question – did we believe in Jesus!

• 2^nd – The 3 reason for the Judgment… vs. 10-16
  • 1^st – Because of what Edom did not do… vs. 10-11
    • When Babylon conquered Judah the people of Edom did nothing to help Israel…
      • When the people were carried off into captivity – the Edomites acted like a stranger!
      • Not that Israel was easy to love – there were issues – but they were still to help them!
      • Galatians 6:2 – tells us to bear one another burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ…
      • The Law of Christ – is to love each other the way Jesus loved us – John 15:12
      • God did not love us only when we did the right thing – He loves us as sinners…
      • Romans 5:8 – “God demonstrates His love … while we were sinners, Christ died for us!”
    • It is easy to love someone who is perfect – is not struggling with sin…
      • But that is not the Love of Christ – we are called to Love sinners!
      • And if we do not help out a brother in need – we are danger of judgment!
      • James 4:17 – “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
  • 2^nd – Because of 3 things Edom did do (and should not have)… vs. 12-14
    • Edom gloated when Israel was taken into captivity… vs. 12
      • They rejoiced the day Judah was destroyed – when Nebuchadnezzar entered Jerusalem…
      • Edom spoke proudly against Judah in the day of their distress!
      • Psalm 137:7 – “O LORD, remember what the Edomites did on the day the armies of Babylon captured Jerusalem. ‘Destroy it!’ they yelled. ‘Level it to the ground!’” (NLT)
      • There are those who like to look down on the mistakes of others…
      • The reason – if they focus on others mistakes – it makes them look better…
      • Want to look tall – stand next to the short guy / young – next to the old guy…
      • Did you even notice how people love to gossip about those who are sinning…
      • As though somehow they are more righteous – because at least they are ‘not as bad’!
      • But God does not grade on a curve – He has only one standard – His Word…
      • And compared to His standard – all of us are in desperate need of Jesus!
    • Edom plundered (entered the gates) of Israel in the day of their calamity… vs. 13
      • The Edomites were there the day Jerusalem was destroyed…
      • But rather than helping their relatives – they just watched as they were slaughtered…
      • Then they went into the houses and began to plunder all their goods!
    • Edom refused to help the survivors… vs. 14
      • They turned away those who fled to the south trying to escape the Babylonian army…
      • They even captured the Jews – and turned them over as prisoners of war!
      • When a believer is in trouble – and needs help – Christians tend to attack…
      • Rather than picking them up – they instead are quick to judge…
      • Christians unfortunately are famous for ‘shooting their wounded!’
      • Or the tendency is to ‘leave those in need alone’ when we should be ‘loving them’…
      • But it should not be that way in the church – we are to be known by love!
      • John 13:35 – “All will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
  • 3^rd – Because of the Day of the Lord… vs. 15-16
    • The Day of the Lord is coming to all the nations…
      • In other words Edom was not just in danger of temporal judgment…
      • It was not just about the certain destruction as a result of their hard heart towards Israel…
      • They were also in danger of being judged at the White Throne of God – Revelation 20:11
    • As you have done – it shall be done to you…
      • Just as Edom drank from the Holy Mountain – speaking of consuming the people of God…
      • So the nations would drink from Edom – and consume them – as though they never existed!
      • Matthew 7:2–“For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged.”
      • We often tend to forget when others make mistakes – we are sinner as well…
      • And when we make mistakes – we do not want the Law – justice – we want GRACE!
      • If we remember that – we will be far gentler when others make mistakes!

• 3^rd – The contrast of Edom to Israel… vs. 17-21
  • 1^st – Edom would be destroyed – but Israel will be delivered… vs. 17
    • On Mount Zion there will be deliverance (escape)…
      • Mount Zion is a reference to one of the hills that the city of Jerusalem sits upon…
      • Used as a synonym for the City of David / and the site of the Temple mount!
      • The people of Israel would be delivered from the captivity – and returned to Jerusalem!
      • Perhaps a reference to Cyrus – 539 B.C. – but more likely pointing to May 14 – 1948!
      • Because as we will see – this is the restoration of both the Northern and Southern Kingdom!
    • In Israel there will be holiness…
      • Holiness – kadosh – to be set apart for God – to be called out of this world…
      • The desire of God for Israel was for them to be Holy – Leviticus 19:2
      • But they failed miserably – until they failed – and learned this world had nothing for them!
      • We are indoctrinated from our youth up with the American creed…
      • Get a good education / so you can get a good job / so you can make lots of money…
      • Yet the more successful we are – the harder it often can be to see the real purpose of life!
      • Ironically it often takes failing in life – to finally understand what life is about…
      • When we lose everything we thought was important – it causes us to look up…
      • It is then that we find that the ONLY thing in life that matters – is holiness…
      • Knowing Jesus – being set apart from this world – and living for God!
    • The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions…
      • Not only would God bring His people home / and restore them to Him…
      • He would also restore their possessions – all they had lost through their sin!
      • When we get caught up in sin – it destroys our lives – leaves us full of regret…
      • Many of us can reflect back on years wasted – not living for the Lord…
      • We can often regret those ‘lost years’ wishing we could have them back…
      • Yet when we turn to the Lord – not only does God restore us spiritually…
      • He often will also restore our possessions – bring back the blessings practically!
      • Only God can take a life that had nothing left but ashes – and make it beautiful!
      • Isaiah 63:1 – “Beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.”
  • 2^nd – Israel will possess the Promised Land… vs. 18-19
    • The house of Jacob will be a fire / the house of Joseph a flame…
      • Speaking of the reunification of the nation of Israel – no longer divided…
      • They would together be the fire that would consume the stumble of the house of Esau!
      • The contrast is powerful – Esau will cease to exist – but Israel will be reborn!
      • May 14 – 1948 – Israel was declared a nation after 2000 years of Diaspora…
      • For the first time since the days of Solomon – Israel was reunited…
      • Fulfilling the prophecy of the two branches – Joseph and Judah made one – Ezekiel 37:19
      • United a force to be reckoned with – a military power that consumed their enemies!
      • Israel has won 15 wars over the past 70 years – against far larger nations…
      • Egypt / Iraq / Jordan / Libya / Saudi Arabia / Lebanon / Yemen / Algeria / Morocco / USSR!
      • In fact in the 1948 War of Independence no one stood with Israel!
      • Britain (who had the Palestine Mandate) took all the guns from Israel before leaving…
      • Even the United States / Europe refused to give an arms to Israel…
      • Yet even without tanks / artillery / or planes (all of which their enemies had) they won!
        
    • Israel united would finally possess the Land God had promised them…
      • Joshua 1:4 – “From the Negev Desert in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River on the east to the Mediterranean Sea on the west…”
      • In the south (Negev) – they would possess the mountains of Esau (Eilat)…
      • Lowlands will possess Philistia (Gaza) – the fields of Ephraim and Samaria (West Bank)…
      • Benjamin will posses Gilead (the Golan heights)!
      • The list of places Israel will posses – should sound VERY familiar…
      • They are the very places that we hear constantly about in the news – Palestine…
      • The name Palestine is derived from the Latin word for Philistines…
      • It was a name first given to Judea by the Romans – after the Jewish revolt of 132 A.D.
      • Up until the 1960s it was a term that was synonymous with Jews…
      • There was even a Palestinian regiment of the British Army in Word War II – all Jews!
      • At the beginning of the War of Independence in 1948 – Arabs fled ‘Palestine’…
      • Israel won the war – but failed to capture the West Bank (Jordan) / Gaza (Egypt)…
      • Any Arabs who stayed in Israel became citizens (and still are to this day)…
      • Those Arabs who fled ended up in refugee camps – never assimilated by Egypt / Jordan!
      • When Israel captured the West Bank / Gaza in 1967 – they inherited those camps…
      • They could not integrate the Arabs into Israel – they outnumbered the Jews (democracy)…
      • Yasser Arafat began the lie of the Palestinian people – tell it loud enough / long enough…
      • The ‘Palestinians’ are just Jordanian Arabs who were orphaned by their country in 1948!
      • The world debates over whether Israel has a rite to the Palestinian territory…
      • But it turns out God prophesied Israel would possess their land again over 2500 years ago!
      • The struggle is not about Land – it is God’s Land – the struggle is spiritual…
      • And there will not be any peace in Israel – until the Messiah comes!
      • Psalm 122:6 – “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…” – or pray for Jesus to come!
  • 3^rd – The exiles will return… vs. 20-21
    • From among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath (near Sidon / Lebanon)…
      • The exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad (separated) will seize the Negev…
      • Then those who have been saved (yashah) – will come to Jerusalem (Mount Zion)…
      • And judge the mountains of Esau (nations) – and the Kingdom will belong to the Lord!
      • At the end of the 7 years of Tribulation – Jesus will come out of Heaven on a white horse…
      • He will return with ten thousands saints – Revelation 19:6 / Jude 1:14 – that would be us!
      • All of Israel (the nation) will be saved – Zechariah 12:10 / Romans 11:26
      • Jesus will judge the nations – those who survived the Tribulation – Matthew 25:31-46
      • And we will all rule and reign with Jesus in His 1000 year Kingdom – Revelation 20:1-4!
    • The question Obadiah leaves with us – do we want judgement or redemption…
      • Edom was destroyed because they lived for this world – made them bitter / unforgiving…
      • Israel was FAR from perfect but they were redeemed – because they looked for heaven!
      • We worry and fret over what kind of job we will get / who we will marry…
      • We can even spend hours deciding what we are going to wear in the morning…
      • But we often overlook – the most-important decision of all – our eternity!
      • God sets the choice before every man – judgement or redemption – which do we want!
      • Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life…”