How would you summarize the main theme of the book of Obadiah?

 

In Obadiah 1-4, God is angry at the pride and arrogance of the nation of Edom - so angry that he is mobilizing to come against them in battle.  Why do you think that human pride and arrogance so offensive and distasteful to God?

 

In Obadiah 5-9, God says that a comprehensive, all-encompassing judgment is going to sweep through Edom - that they will be attacked by enemies, betrayed by friends, and completely destroyed.  How are we to make sense of this?  How can this kind of language come from a loving God?  How might these verses inform how we live as Christians?

 

In Obadiah 10-14, we see that Edom had sinned against Israel by refusing to help them when they were under attack.  Instead, they rejoiced at it, and even participated in it.  In Genesis 25, Genesis 27, and Numbers 20, we see that this conflict is centuries old, and that it stems from a sibling rivalry of their ancestors (Jacob and Esau).  What do these passages tell us about the dangers of jealousy, contentiousness, resentment, one-upsmanship, and grudge-holding?

 

In Obadiah 15-18, God says that the Day of the Lord is coming, and that Edom will drink from the cup of God’s wrath, and that the nation of Israel will be a consuming fire that will destroy Edom.  How does the belief that God will one day bring final judgment for sin and final salvation for his people change the way that we live now?  How should our lives be affected by our eschatology (beliefs about the last things)?

 

In Obadiah 19-21, we see that God is going to repossess all of the nations of the world, and redistribute them as he sees fit, and that His people are going to rule with Him.  What are the implications of the reality that we, as God’s people, will one day rule with Him?

 

What role should fear of the judgment of God play in motivating us toward godly living?  What role should desire for relationship with God play in it?

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