Watch this lesson on YouTube, or listen to it here.
It may seem out of order, but this topic needs to be addressed first because it will help answer several of the other intro questions about Obadiah.
1) v. 1b – “Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom”
2) This story begins with Jacob and Esau
A) Gen. 25:21-28 – Birth narrative. Note the contention from the start. This contention is the most important part of this lesson.
B) Gen. 25:29-34
1) Esau sold his birthright to Jacob.
2) Edom sounds like the Heb. word for red. (Note also the red rocks in the territory of Edom.)
C) Gen. 27 – Jacob deceived Isaac and cheated Esau out of his blessing.
1) vv. 35-38, 41
D) Gen. 32-33 – Jacob and Esau reconciled (33:4).
E) Gen. 36 - Final info about Esau. This is a really big deal because this is how Genesis as a whole is structured. It almost exclusively traces the lineage of God’s promise.
1) 2:4 – Heaven and earth
2) 5:1 – Adam
3) 6:9 – Noah
4) 10:1 – Noah
5) 11:10 – Shem
6) 11:27 – Terah
7) *25:12 – Ishmael
8) 25:19 – Isaac
9) *36:1, 9 – Esau
10) 37:2 – Joseph
3) Deut. 23 – This section of God’s law discusses those who are excluded from the assembly of God’s people.
A) v. 1 – ESVSB: “This probably refers to men made eunuchs in the context of pagan worship.”
B) v. 2 – No one born of a forbidden union.
C) v. 3 – Ammonites or Moabites (cf. Lot’s daughters in Gen. 19:36-38).
D) v. 7 – Don’t abhor Edom because he is your brother.
E) POINT: God did not want there to be tension between these two peoples.
We are looking for constant enmity with God’s people.
4) Num. 20:14-21 – Edom was one of Israel’s first enemies after the Exodus. They would not let Israel pass through their land on their way to the Promised Land. (map)
A) Note v. 14, “Thus says your brother Israel…” Edom is not just another inhabitant of the land. They share common roots with Israel.
5) In the United Kingdom
A) 1 Sam. 14:47 – Saul fought against Edom.
B) 2 Sam. 8:13-14 – David conquered Edom, but…
C) 1 Kgs. 11:14-25 – Hadad escaped and fled to Egypt. He returned and fought against Solomon. This was ultimately punishment from God because of Solomon’s sin.
6) 2 Kgs. 8:20-22 / 2 Chron. 21:8-10 – Edom rebelled against Jehoram (Judah) and became independent. Chronicles says it was from God because of Joram’s sin.
7) Syro-Ephraimite War
A) 2 Kgs. 16:5-7 / 2 Chron. 28:16-18 – Judah was surrounded on all sided by enemies. Edom not only defeated Judah, but carried away captives.
8) Amos 1:11-12 – “…he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever.”
9) Joel 3:19
A) We don’t really know when Joel was written, or what the circumstances he is addressing are.
B) Even so, Edom was Judah’s enemy.
10) I think Obadiah is written about this thread of passages.
A) Jer. 27:2-7 – Zedekiah and Edom made an alliance together against Babylon.
1) Edom came to Zekekiah to make a treaty to fight together against Babylon.
2) Jeremiah said, “Don’t do it. Babylon is from God, and will destroy everything.”
B) Nebuchadnezzar did come and destroy Judah and Jerusalem. While Edom does not seem to have worked with Babylon, they seem to be like vultures who swooped in and pillaged Judah after Babylon was finished.
C) Jer. 49:7-22 (Esp. v. 16 – Edom was proud, but they would be destroyed.)
D) Lam. 4:18-22 (Remember, Lamentations was written by Jeremiah.)
E) Ps. 137:7 – Their sin was their arrogant taunting.
F) Ezek. 25:12-14
G) Ezek. 35:1-15
11) God did eventually destroy Edom.
A) Babylon destroyed Judah in 586 BC, and then they moved on to Edom and destroyed them in 553 BC.
B) Mal. 1:2-5
C) How has God loved his people?
D) Because he has forever destroyed Edom, and he will not restore them.