Pride
The country of Edom had pride in their hearts that they could not be defeated because they lived in high places. They believed they could not be defeated.
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.
If you do not have a Bible, I invite you to go to BibleGateway.com or another online Bible.
Obadiah “is the shortest book in the Old Testament.” His name means “One who worships God.” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004], 371)
Obadiah is not mentioned in other books of the Bible.
We know nothing about him except for the prophecy he wrote.
Read Genesis 25-29 to learn more about Isaac and Esau.
This is a prophecy concerning Esau or Edom.
1. Obadiah received a vision from God.
The Lord God told Obadiah to write this prophecy about Edom.
We have heard a rumour from the Lord,
Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
Israel is to go to battle against Edom.
Genesis 36:1 Esau is Edom.
Pride of Birthright
Esau was the twin of Jacob. Rebekah was their mother and Isaac was their father.
They were very different. “Esau was an outdoor fellow who loved to hunt. Jacob would rather stay in the house and learn to cook…However, Jacob had a spiritual discernment that Esau did not have.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 726)
Esau was born first.
“Jacob had a spiritual discernment that Esau did not have.” (McGee, 726)
“Esau was a man of the flesh and did not care for spiritual things.” (McGee, 726)
Esau sold his birthright for some red pottage. Genesis 25:30-34
“The man who had the birthright was in contact with God, and he was the priest of his family.” (McGee, 726)
“In effect Esau said I would rather have a bowl of soup than have a relationship with God.” (McGee, 726)
“A believer has two natures within him, and they are struggling with each other and against each other.” (McGee, 726) Galatians 5:17
2. Edom will become small among the nations.
Edom is greatly despised.
God is bringing judgment on Edom.
3. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee
It is because of pride that Edom is being judged!
Are you a proud person? If you are—Beware!
“Pride is the sin of sins. It is one of the worst sins of all. It is something that Scripture condemns above everything. God has said that He hates pride, and if that is the thing that Edom is eaten up with, God can say, ‘Esau have I hated because of his pride.’” (McGee, 728)
Proverbs 6:16-19 Proverbs 8:13 1 John 2:16
Judgement of Pride
4. God will bring the proud down.
“Like the eagle Edom felt secure, even unconquerable. Obadiah’s God had no fear of heights and had no difficulty scaling the heights.” (Smith, Billy K, The new American Commentary, Volume 19B, Amos Obadiah Jonah: [Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995], 183)
Destruction
5, 6. Normally, thieves would only take what they want.
In this instance, “Edom’s attackers, by divine judgment, would not stop where normal thieves would when they have enough. Instead, they would leave nothing.” (MacArthur, 1003) Jeremiah 49:9-10
All the hidden treasures would be taken by attackers!
7. Those who are allies of Edom would lure them to the border
“Reference here is to a nation or nations with whom Edom had a treaty of peace.” (Smith, 187)
“Archeological and biblical evidence point to some time in the sixth century B. C. for the fulfillment of Obadiah’s prophecy of Edom’s destruction.” (Smith, 187)
There is none understanding in him.
“‘Understanding’ is often used as a synonym for ‘wisdom,’ for which Edom was well know (cf. Job 2:11; Jeremiah 49:7).” (Smith 188)
8. The Lord will destroy the wise men and understanding out of the mount of Esau
“Edom was famous for its wisdom. Job’s friend Eliphaz was a Temanite (see Job 4:1).” (McGee, 731) Job 2:11 [above]
9. “‘Teman’ takes its name from a grandson of Esau and is located in the southern portion of Edom. The Temanites were noted for their courage.” (McGee, 731)
I find it interesting that McGee (above) tells us the town is in the south; Smith (188), and MacArthur (1003) tell us it is in the northern portion of Edom. I will allow you to search for its location.
And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
“After shattering the army, Edom’s whole population would be decimated.” (Smith, 189)
Reference
In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume III: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005
Smith, Billy K, The New American Commentary, Volume 19B, Amos Obadiah Jonah: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004
