Major Message

“A Message of God’s Justice” Weekend of April 27/28, 2013 The Prophet Obadiah “A Message of God’s Justice” Weekend of April 27/28, 2013

This lesson is about God’s response to arrogance and pride, especially at the expense of innocent victims, and how we should respond to unjust acts against them. This lesson will encourage you to humbly take an active part in helping others in times of need, especially when they have been victimized.

A Nation’s Attitude Obadiah 1:1-4 1 The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom-- We have heard a message from the LORD: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, "Rise, and let us go against her for battle"-- 2 "See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised. …

A Nation’s Attitude 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' 4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD.

A Nation’s Attitude The Book of Obadiah is judgment against the nation of Edom, because of her refusal to help Israel when she was taken into captivity by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Nation of Edom was south of Palestine and the Land of Israel.

A Nation’s Attitude The reason for God’s judgment of Edom was that she had a “proud heart.” She was self-assured and over-confident; She thought she was invincible against enemy attacks; Because she lived in cities nestled in the caves and clefts that peppered that mountain region.

Pride! A Nation’s Attitude Today, self-confidence is thought to be a very important human characteristic; But when combined with pride it leads to sinful arrogance and presumption; We can be misled to think the “status quo” is fine or that our nation is acceptable to God; But God wants us to trust in Him alone and NOT our nation’s many defenses. Pride!

A Nation’s Failure to Act Obadiah 1:10-15 10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. 11 On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.

A Nation’s Failure to Act 12 You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble. 13 You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor look down on them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster.

A Nation’s Failure to Act 14 You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble. 15 "The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.

A Nation’s Failure to Act Edom was judged because of her indifference to the suffering of her brothers the Jews. Edom was not move to defend Jerusalem while she was under siege and finally fell in 586 B.C. Obadiah’s message is simply, we must respond to the plight of innocent victims. Not getting involved is victimizing them all over again and is unacceptable to God. Isaac Esau Jacob Edomites Israelites “Brothers”

A Nation’s Failure to Act Even though related, Edom stood “aloof” when Judah was under siege by the Babylonians; They refused to come to their aid; They actually took part in the looting and killing; Refusing to come to one’s aid is the same as rendering the harm yourself. (i.e. Jesus Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37).

A Nation’s Failure to Act Obadiah lists what Edom should not have done, but did anyway: Not to gloat; Not to rejoice; Not to mock Judah; Not enter Jerusalem; Not add to their misery; Not take Judah’s possessions; Kill the refugees; Hand over to the Babylonians; They were arrogant and smug! They actually looted! They did not value Life!

A Nation’s Failure to Act Since Edom did not come to Judah’s rescue on her “terrible day,” Edom would endure the “great Day of the Lord.” It was imminent – soon; It was universal – complete; It was appropriate – matched the wrong;

A Nation’s Hope Obadiah 1:17-18, 21 17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will possess its inheritance. 18 The house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame; the house of Esau will be stubble, and they will set it on fire and consume it.

A Nation’s Hope There will be no survivors from the house of Esau." The LORD has spoken. …21 Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the LORD's.

Jesus Christ, our Savior! A Nation’s Hope How like our God to offer hope even in a message of judgment. Obadiah says… Yes, Judah will be judged for her wrong doing; But God offers hope despite her suffering; He predicts a future deliverer: Who would be pure and holy; Who would come from the house of Jacob; Any guesses who this might be? Jesus Christ, our Savior!

A Nation’s Hope According to Obadiah, there will be deliverance on Mt. Zion; This is the place where the Babylonians carried the Jews off into captivity; This is the same place where Jesus Christ carried sin and Satan off into captivity; What a remarkable prediction;

“Jesus, the King of the Jews” A Nation’s Hope But it gets better! Obadiah will use the “house of Jacob” and the “house of Joseph” in parallel lines. The house of Jacob = Judah (Southern Kingdom); The house of Joseph = Israel (Northern Kingdom); These divided kingdoms will be restored and reunited under one monarchy – the Messiah; “Jesus, the King of the Jews”

Christ is sitting on David’s throne and ruling the world. A Nation’s Hope Did you know there is someone sitting on the Throne of David and ruling the world? Do you know when Jesus took up His throne? We will celebrate that event on May 9th? Ascension Day is Jesus’ “Coronation Day” when He took up His rightful place as King forever in David’s dynasty. Apostles’ Creed says, “He ascended into Heaven and then…what? Of course you do! Jesus Christ is sitting on David’s throne and ruling the world. Ascension Day Sits at…

On the last day, Jesus will A Nation’s Hope That’s what Obadiah sees in verse 21: This deliverer, SAVIOR, will ascend from Mount Zion; But He will return again to judge and rule from Mount Zion all the kingdoms of the world; Jesus did just that! On the last day, Jesus will make a “New Jerusalem” for all believers! We will live forever in Heaven with Jesus!

Get into the “Spring” of God’s Word… …and Grow!