SUNDAY SCHOOL OBADIAH

Obadiah

1. Background/Context
   1. Obadiah means “Servant/ Worshipper of Yahweh” likely indicates he was a prophet.
   2. Obadiah’s prophecy concerns Edom and its attack on Jerusalem (vv. 10-14). Although there are various dates that could be applicable, the best date is shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC. Psalm 137:7 refers to the Edomites and their encouragement of the Babylonian attack
   3. The prophecy concerns Edom because Edom had been found guilty of pride before God (v.3). This pride led to the charge against Edom in verse 10: “Because of violence towards your brother Jacob.” Edom did not choose his brother’s side; Edom chose to side with the enemies of Jerusalem in the day of her destruction (v.11). As a result, God’s judgment will be on Edom. Obadiah wanted to let Edom know that God will judge Edom severely in the future
   4. There are four series of oracles in verses 2-14 portraying the aspects of what God judges in Edom: 
      ONE- Pride and arrogance in verses 2-4

CS Lewis: According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind
TWO- Greed and plunder in verses 5-6
THREE- Loss of wisdom and understanding in verses 7-8
FOUR- Violence and gloating over the suffering of others in verses 10-14