Obadiah
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
For many years, the Edomites live in a position of power, gloating over the downfall of their adversary, the Israelites. But their time of judgment has come. The reality of God’s judgment drives us to the gospel—our anchor in the present and hope for the future.
Study Questions
For many years, the Edomites live in a position of power, gloating over the downfall of their adversary, the Israelites. But their time of judgment has come. The reality of God’s judgment drives us to the gospel—our anchor in the present and hope for the future.Application
The Edomites’ pride creates a sense of self-sufficiency. Although we may not articulate it, our actions often reveal the same dependence on self. What do your priorities around time and resources indicate about your felt need for God?
God calls us to love others. Part of that is speaking the truth in love to someone who may be making a foolish decision. Have you ever done this for a friend or family member? How did it impact your relationship? Your faith?
Part of our nature is to want vindication—to hold wrongdoers accountable. When you spend time and energy thinking about or trying to achieve vindication, what does it reveal about how you view yourself? How you view God?
Key Points
After many years of living in prideful self-sufficiency and sin, the Edomites come under God’s judgment.
We often question God’s judgment of others. However, as his creation, we are not in a position to judge the Creator. We can trust that his judgments are good and true.
It’s also difficult to understand why God allows evil in the world. Yet we know he is patient and kind—allowing all people space and time to repent and turn to him.
A future day of judgment is coming. While we may be able to make our lives work without Jesus, we cannot endure death without Jesus.
Because Jesus absorbed God’s judgment for us, as believers, we can live with hope that on that day, God will make all things right.