SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Obadiah 1:1-21

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)

BACKGROUND

Obadiah’s prophecy, recorded in the brief book bearing his name, is unique in that the prophet had little to say to the nations of Israel or Judah. Instead, his focus was on the sins of Edom, Judah’s southern neighbor, and the judgment God would send upon that nation. 

The age-old, smoldering animosity between the descendants of Jacob and the descendants of Esau had flared up once again, as it had many times in prior centuries. The first and largest portion of Obadiah’s prophecy is the condemnation of Edom. Fearlessly, the prophet delivered God’s message: disaster was coming. Despite the Edomites’ arrogant pride and the supposed security provided by their natural defenses, the nation would be destroyed because of their treachery toward their “brothers” in Judah.

After delivering his scathing denunciation, Obadiah’s concluding words contain a foreshadowing of end times in a reference to the Day of the Lord, a prominent Old Testament theme. In that great day, Edom will be among the godless nations to be judged. By contrast, Mount Zion will be a scene of holiness and deliverance. The house of Jacob (Israel and Judah) will possess the territories God gave their forefathers, and “the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (Obadiah 1:21).

While we do not know if Obadiah’s prophecy stirred a reaction in the streets or palaces of Edom, it has unquestionably provided a somber reminder for the children of God through the ages. His message tells all Christians everywhere that God’s perfect justice will one day prevail over those who ignore the needs of others, rejoice at their problems, or take advantage of their crises. 

SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS‍

1. Obadiah’s prophecy was inspired by a “vision” or divine revelation. As an ambassador (or messenger), he had been sent among the people of Judah with a “rumour [report or tidings] from the Lord” (verse 1). According to verse 2, what was the rumor, and how would you explain what this message meant?
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   The message declared that Edom would be made small among the heathen and would be “greatly despised.” Discussion of the meaning should bring out that God was announcing that He would cause the surrounding nations to consider the Edomites to be insignificant, and to view them with disdain or contempt. 
   
   Point out to your group that although this had not yet happened, the prophet used the past tense, saying, “I have made thee small” (emphasis added). God had condemned Edom, and the judgment to come was as sure as if it were already an accomplished fact. This could be an opportunity to discuss with your group the infallibility of what God says. Point out that the Old Testament contains hundreds of predictions concerning individual nations, cities, and peoples, and without exception, these all have been or will be fulfilled. 
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2. Verse 3 begins a series of detailed indictments against Edom. First, the prophet stated that the Edomites were filled with pride, and that their pride had deceived them. In what ways do you think pride is deceptive? 
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   Class discussion should bring out that pride inflates self. It makes people believe things about themselves and others that are not true. Ask your group to share examples of deceitful pride. Some suggestions could be: It can make individuals think they are capable and self-sufficient when they are inadequate. It can cause individuals to feel they are powerful though they have no ability to control circumstances. It can make them think they are important when they are really insignificant. It can make them assume they are wise, when in fact they are foolish. 
   
   Wrap up the discussion by pointing out that in spite of the Edomites’ inflated opinion of themselves, they actually were a small, relatively poor, and insignificant nation. However, they were not the last people to be deceived by pride!
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3. Verses 3-4 point to one source of the Edomites’ feeling of security — the fact that they lived in a location with unique natural fortifications. The capital of the Edomites, known then as Sela (and later as Petra), was a city carved into rock cliffs, and was accessible only by a narrow canyon almost a mile long. Since the Edomites dwelt “in the clefts of the rock,” they thought they were impregnable to invading armies. However, God indicated that their trust was misplaced, and that He would bring them down from their lofty location. What are some aspects of life that people of our day put their trust in? Why is such trust so precarious?
   
   Your group will likely offer examples such as education, material resources, position, other people, their own personal skills, etc. Reputation, appearance, knowledge, and many other things can also be sources of false security. 
   
   In response to the second question, class input should bring out that false security often is based on temporal circumstances — situations or resources that could change or disappear in a moment of time. By contrast, true security comes from the One who knows our future needs and has proven His concern and ability to care for us whatever comes our way. We want to depend upon God’s wisdom and resources rather than our own. Your students might be willing to share examples of when God’s wisdom and resources helped them.
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4. In verses 5-6, what two types of individuals did Obadiah refer to, and how did he describe the extent of Edom’s devastation?
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   Obadiah referred to robbers and grape gatherers in his description of Edom’s complete devastation. He pointed out that even a thief would only take as much as he could carry, and those who harvested grapes would typically leave some behind for the gleaners. In contrast, those who would come to destroy and plunder Edom would take everything, leaving nothing behind for looters or gleaners. The Edomites were proud of their possessions, but all of Edom’s treasures and wealth, though hidden in supposedly inaccessible caves and fortresses, would be found and taken from them.
   
   Broaden your discussion by asking your class to name some of the things that sin robs people of. Examples could include one’s reputation, honor, a clear conscience, the trust of others, health, material resources, family, etc. Ultimately, either in this life or the hereafter, sin will rob people of everything, and the eternal loss and devastation will be complete.
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5. According to verse 7, by whose hand would the destruction of Edom come?
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   Obadiah foretold that Edom’s destruction would come at the hands of those who had been their allies. The Edomites trusted in their confederacy, and the neighboring countries that supposedly were at peace with them. However, when God brought judgment, they would know the sting of treachery. Their former allies would be the ones to drive the Edomites out of their own land, “even to the border.”
   
   As a follow-up question, you may wish to ask your group to suggest ways alliances could be a detriment to us spiritually. Resulting discussion should bring out the need for great care in choosing intimate friends, spouses, or business partners. Close connections with those who do not share our spiritual goals can sidetrack us, lessen our focus on godly pursuits, or even derail us spiritually.
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6. The Edomites were proud of their wise men. In spite of the reputation of these supposedly wise individuals, how do we know that they were actually foolish? Obadiah 1:8-9
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   They were foolish because they ignored and actually mocked God. As a result, they would share in the judgment upon Edom. Discussion should develop the thought that true wisdom will always acknowledge and honor God. To amplify your group’s consideration of this topic, you could have a volunteer read James 3:17 where the Apostle defines true wisdom by listing its eight distinctive properties.
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7. God never sends judgment that is not deserved. In verses 10-14, Obadiah told the Edomites why this awful devastation was coming upon them. What did he say Edom had done that resulted in God’s judgment?
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   In general, Edom had perpetrated violence against their “brother Jacob.” More specifically, when strangers attacked Judah and foreigners entered Jerusalem’s gates, Edom did nothing to help. In spite of the ancestral bond between Edom and Judah, the Edomites stood by and rejoiced at Judah’s troubles, and then used their distress as an occasion to exalt themselves. They collaborated with the invaders and took of the plunder. Finally, when they encountered refugees of Judah who were fleeing from the attacking army, they killed them or turned them over as prisoners.
   
   Explain to your group that Edom possibly thought their actions would gain them favor with the armies of Babylon. However, their treachery toward Judah was inexcusable in God’s sight and brought about the dreadful judgment that Obadiah foretold.
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8. Today, we can see people who are much like the Edomites of Obadiah’s time. Arrogance, pride, dishonesty, and envy are all around us. What is the appropriate response when we observe such individuals suffering distress or calamity?
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   Discussion should bring out that we should never be exultant when we see misfortune or tragedy come to others, even if we think retribution is deserved. God loves every individual, even the most wicked of sinners. Point your class to Proverbs 24:17, which instructs: “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.” God is merciful, and we want to cultivate that attitude as well, even toward those who threaten or harm us. At the same time, we know that God sees and knows what is happening. When mercy is rejected, eventually judgment will come, as it did in the case of the Edomites. 
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9. Obadiah’s prophecy ends with hope and encouragement (verses 17-21). The prophet looked forward to a day when “the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites,” when “saviors” (deliverers) will come to Mount Zion, and “the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” What parallel do you see between the prophet’s final statement of hope to the people of Judah, and the hope we have for the future?
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   Just as the inhabitants of Judah could look forward to eventual deliverance and a restoration of the land God had promised to Abraham’s descendants, we look forward to our eventual deliverance from this world of sin, and the joy of spending forever in God’s eternal kingdom.

CONCLUSION

Through the prophet Obadiah, God told Edom that the people of Judah whom they had viewed with disdain, plundered, and killed, would one day be restored and enriched. Let us learn from this book not only how certainly God will judge the wicked, but also how much He values His own!