Bible Study Notes on Obadiah

The Minor Prophets Bible Study VIII: Obadiah

April 19, 2012

BMC- Obadiah

Opening Question: Name some famous advisors…

Background

Call: No true call. Claims to be a vision in 1:1

When: “Aftermath of Jerusalem’s destruction” in 586 (Miller 146). Sometime after 587 BCE (White 65). See also Harris 179

Where: Jerusalem

To Whom: Verse 1 “identifies him as one with the people (“we”) whom he addresses” (Limburg 127). Judah, the survivors (Limburg 128). Verses 2-15 address Edom (Limburg 129)

Characteristics: (What do you notice about the style of the book)

- Obadiah is one single chapter of oracles dealing specifically with the relationship between Israel and Edom (Harris 179)

- Obadiah is the shortest book of the Hebrew Bible (Miller 145)

- Much of book parallels Jeremiah 49 and there are similarities to Joel (See orange folder)

- Angry (Obadiah/God?)

- Oracle/Poetic

Relationship with Kings & Others:

- No kings noted. Hatred toward the Edomites.

- Jacob and Esau history connections

Important Events:

- The fall of Jerusalem in 586BCE

Outline: (Sweeney pg. 188)

I. Superscription (1a)

II. Oracle concerning the condemnation of Edom (1b-21)

A. Prophetic Messenger Formula (1ba^1-5)

B. Oracle proper (1ba^6-12-21)

1. Call to Punish Edom (1ba^6-12-7)

2. Announcement of punishment against Edom (8-21)

Observations by Chapter: (Note observations make or questions you have as you read the book.)

Obadiah: Declaring that Edom will be brought down to size. Reason is because of how they treated Israel. What they have done will be done to them.

Parallels/Similarities

Obadiah	Jeremiah		Obadiah	Joel
1a	49:7	What God says…/Concerning Edom	11	3:3	Foreigners, strangers carry off, Cast lots/ divide land
1b-4	49:14-16	Size/ Rocks/ Eagles	15	1:15	Day of the Lord
5-6	49:9-10a	Thieves, grape pickers, strip Esau bare	16-17	3:17	Zion Holy
8-9	49:7	Taman, Wisdom	18	2:5	Fire, Stubble
4	49:22	Eagle	21	2:32	Deliverance
16	49:12	drink

Themes/Issues: (Note the major themes and issues the prophet addresses.)

- “The prophet blasts Edom for benefiting from Judah’s destruction.” (Harris 179).

- Restoration of Zion (Miller 146)

- Survival of a righteous remnant (Miller 145)

- “Divine Justice, the day of the Lord, the Lord of history, the Kingdom of the Lord.” (NIB 441)

- Word Bible Commentary pg. 408

- “Pride goeth before a fall”

- Generational Sin

So What? (Having read the prophet, what do his words have to teach us today?)

- There is a good future ahead of us, have hope (Miller 147)

- Identify with ‘needy, the excluded, and the persecuted of society.” (NID 457).

- Demonstrate how to be committed to the Lord (NIB 548).

- Make God’s word plain for all peoples (NIB 458)

- Theology of hope can be ministry in itself (NIB 458)

- Word Bible Commentary pg. 422

- Get right with God

- Don’t look down on people. Treat neighbors well.

- Day of the Lord is near

- Don’t take advantage of another’s weakness.