Before Petra …

Obadiah

Introduction

Petra named 1 of 7 wonders in world in 2007,Smithsonia ID’s it as 1/28 must see B4 die

Petra a city carved out of rock in Jordanian dssrt, 1X3/4 mile basin surround mtns

Capital of Nabatean kingdom ~300BC to AD105, lost to moderns until 1812

B4 Petra was Petra it was called Sela Jd1:36, capital of kingdom of Edom

Edom started when Esau moved there, Esau son of Isaac, bro of Jacob,

recall Esau… names red, favorite of Isaac, sold birthright, tricked out of blessing

conflict of descendants of two brothers over next 1500 years Nb20:142Kn14:7

It is with this ongoing conflict that we come to this AM, the book of Obadiah

Obadiah – name means worshipper of Yahweh, know nothing other than what in the bk

Timing is debated, I am going to take it as post Babylonian exile bk, bcs 10-14

Prophet Obadiah is speaking to the sin and abuse of Edom toward brother Judah

  1. Summary of Obadiah
  1. Vision from God about nations opposing Edom 1
  2. Destruction of Edom 2-9

Despised 1…bring you down ….4, deceived ….7, trapped ….7, destroy ….8, dismayed ….9, everyone cut off by slaughter …9,

  1. Summary of Charges 10-16

Violence against your brother Jacob ….10, should not have gazed on day of your brother in the day of his captivity 12a, should not have rejoiced over children of Judah 12b, should not have spoken proudly in day of distress 12c, should not have entered gate of My people 13a, should not have gazed on their affliction 13b, should not have laid hands on their substance 13d, should not have cut off those escaping 14a, should not have delivered up those who remained 14b

Edom Jeremiah 9:26, 25:21, 27:3, 40:11, 49:17,27,20,22 Lam 4:21,22

Ezekiel 25:12,13,14, 32:29, 35:15, 36:5

  1. Contrast of Two Ends 17-21

Zion delivered 17, Jacob possess their possessions 17b

Benjamin possess Gilead 19b, Captives of Israel possess Cannanites 20

Captives of Jerusalem possess cities of south 20b, Esau judged 21

  1. Lessons For Us From Obadiah

Draw out 5 lessons for United States or modern nations from fall of Edom

  1. Do not be deceived by pride. 1-3a

Edom’s pride was in their security of the mountains

Pride without God is the problem, Jer 9:23,24, America’s greatness because of her honoring and devotion to God

  1. Remember the Lord, don’t forget the Lord 3b-9

Look at 3b who will bring me down – forgot God

We must do things to not forget God, the Lord’s day, worship the Lord, how quickly we can forget. Mt 16:9

  1. Support Israel, do not oppose Israel 10-14

Edom opposed Israel actively

God has a plan for Israel in the future, need to support future for Israel Ro9-11

  1. Do right receive right, do bad receive bad 15-18

Edom get what they gave.

This is the golden rule on a national scale. Ff the golden rule

  1. Things settled up on the day of the Lord 19-21

Edom gone, Israel restored