This weekend, Teaching Pastor Megan Marshman led us through the book of Obadiah as we continued in the final week of our Summer Mixtape series. 

 

Obadiah is a sad story of real people who get what they deserve. It is a sobering book that reminds us that we don’t have to get what we deserve. 

 

Backstory

The book of Obadiah is a vision from the Lord to Obadiah to prophecy against the nation of Edom for their sins against Isreal. The Edomites are descendants of Esau. But who is Esau? Well, in Genesis 12:1-3 we learn about God making a covenant with Abraham that he will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. Eventually, Abraham has a son, Isaac. Isaac has twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Because Esau was born first, he was the son with the birthright. However, through a series of deceptions and bad decisions—Esau choosing temporal satisfaction over spiritual blessing and Jacob deceiving his father—Jacob ends up with the birthright. This means the covenant promise now flows through Jacob, not Esau. 

 

What does this have to do with us? Megan said, "Family Brokenness doesn’t thwart God’s plans." Families have been messed up since the start of time, but that doesn't change God's plans. What might seem like our plan B, C, D, or E is always God's plan A. He uses our brokenness and our family's brokenness. 

 

Megan then showed us how the book of Obadiah is broken down—the first two-thirds being about judgment for Edom and the last third about the day of the Lord for the world. 

 

Judgment for Edom (Obadiah 1:1-14)

1. 1. Judgment Declared (Obad. 1:1-4)
   2. Judgement Described (Obad. 1:5-9)
   3. Judgement Defended (Obad. 1:10-14)

The Edomites were a proud people. Proud of their location, feeling like they were invincible. They looked down on other nations, especially Isreal. They stood by and watched them be destroyed and even took delight in their destruction. They were passive and didn't intervene to help. While Edom wasn’t perfect, neither were the Israelites. The difference between the two is God’s mercy and judgment. In James 4:6, we see that God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble. For us, we’re at our best when we need Him. When we humble ourselves, He shows us favor. Edom was too proud. 

 

The day of the Lord for the World (Obadiah 1:15-21)

1. 1. Retribution (Obad. 1:15-16)
   2. Redemption (Obad. 1:17-18)
   3. Restoration (Obad. 1:19-21) 

After God delivers judgment to Edom, he assures His people of their future deliverance. The final verse hints at the messianic prophecy because Jesus will establish his kingdom on earth. God will remain faithful to His covenant promise, even if it doesn't look as they thought it would. 

 

Which is the same for us. He is faithful. We are to rely on Him to help us remain humble and grounded in His ways. He will do what He says He will do. Megan quoted radio host Jay Vernon MacGee, "This is God’s universe. God does things His way. You may have a better way, but you don’t have a universe.” So while we may not understand His ways, we can trust Him and know that His ways are good.