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Created page with "The Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Bible (21 verses), written by Obadiah , whose name means "the servant of the Lord." It was written about 586..."
The Book of [[Obadiah]] is the shortest book in the [[Bible]] (21 verses), written by [[Obadiah]] , whose name means "the servant of the [[Lord]]." It was written about 586 b.c., and contains Edom's condemnation, because of her treachery toward Judah; the prophecy of her utter destruction; and the salvation of Judah in the Day of the [[Lord]]. The book was written in [[Jerusalem]], at the time when [[Jerusalem]] was being destroyed by the [[Babylon]]ian armies. The book deals with Esau, [[Jacob]], Edom, and [[Israel]].
The [[prophet]] presents a twofold message. Verses 1-16 consider [[God]]'s vengeance on Edom. In verses 10-14 [[Obadiah]] names some of the sins of Edom, and in verse 15 we note that [[God]] would treat the Edomites just the way they had treated the [[Jews]]. Violence would fall upon them and their own confederates would betray them (verses 10,11).
In verses 17-21 [[God]] promises [[Jacob]] the [[victory]]. [[God]] also promises deliverance and cleansing for Mount Zion. The constant struggle between Esau and [[Jacob]] continues throughout the [[Bible]]. The Herods were the New Testament Edomites. One killed the Jewish babies in an effort to destroy Christ ([[Matthew]] 2:16-18). Another murdered [[John]] the Baptist. Another killed James, the brother of [[John]]. The struggle between the [[Israel]]ites and the Arabs today is a continuation of this same battle that began in Genesis 25.
[[Jonah]] was, in fact, an actual person in history (see II Kings 14:25). He was a very popular preacher, but when [[God]] called him to go to Nineveh, the capital of the [[Assyria]]n Empire, [[Jonah]] rebelled. History tells us that the [[Assyria]]ns were cruel and heartless people who thought nothing of skinning their enemies and burying them alive, or impaling them on sharp poles under the hot sun. [[Jonah]] did not [[love]] his enemies, and did not care that the city was going to be overthrown. He had rather disobey [[God]] than see his enemies saved.
Chapter 1 records [[God]]'s patience with the rebellious preacher. So many people today are like [[Jonah]] . They are disobedient to [[God]]'s leading. We learn from the Book of [[Jonah]] that [[God]] has a perfect will for each of us. When we do not follow His leading, we suffer. Likewise, many people today are like [[Jonah]] in that they do not [[love]] their enemies. They would rather see them destroyed than try to help them. Christ loved even those who rebelled against Him, those who spit upon Him, those who drove the nails into His hands and feet. As followers of Christ, we should have the mind of Christ.
In chapter 2 [[Jonah]] is chastened by [[God]], and [[Jonah]] repented from his [[sin]]. [[God]] then cleansed him and gave him another chance.
In chapter 3 we have a lesson in [[God]]'s power. As [[Jonah]] went to Nineveh to preach, [[God]] gave him the message he was to proclaim to the people. Chapter 4:11 says there were more than 120,000 persons who could not discern between their right hand and their left hand. Nineveh was the center of the rising empire of [[Assyria]]. The faithfulness of [[Jonah]] to preach the message [[God]] had given him brought a great change in the city. From the king to the lowest citizens, there were expressions of fear and repentance, and [[God]] forgave their sins. This was undoubtedly one of the greatest revivals in history, and it shows what the [[Lord]] can do with a frail human instrument who will preach His message.
Chapter 4 again shows the rebellion of [[Jonah]] . Instead of being happy and rejoicing at what had taken place, [[Jonah]] was angry at the people and at [[God]]. This proves that it is possible to serve the [[Lord]], and yet not [[love]] people. [[Jonah]] is so unlike [[Jesus]] in this chapter, for [[Jesus]] looked upon the city of lost souls and wept.
The [[prophet]] presents a twofold message. Verses 1-16 consider [[God]]'s vengeance on Edom. In verses 10-14 [[Obadiah]] names some of the sins of Edom, and in verse 15 we note that [[God]] would treat the Edomites just the way they had treated the [[Jews]]. Violence would fall upon them and their own confederates would betray them (verses 10,11).
In verses 17-21 [[God]] promises [[Jacob]] the [[victory]]. [[God]] also promises deliverance and cleansing for Mount Zion. The constant struggle between Esau and [[Jacob]] continues throughout the [[Bible]]. The Herods were the New Testament Edomites. One killed the Jewish babies in an effort to destroy Christ ([[Matthew]] 2:16-18). Another murdered [[John]] the Baptist. Another killed James, the brother of [[John]]. The struggle between the [[Israel]]ites and the Arabs today is a continuation of this same battle that began in Genesis 25.
[[Jonah]] was, in fact, an actual person in history (see II Kings 14:25). He was a very popular preacher, but when [[God]] called him to go to Nineveh, the capital of the [[Assyria]]n Empire, [[Jonah]] rebelled. History tells us that the [[Assyria]]ns were cruel and heartless people who thought nothing of skinning their enemies and burying them alive, or impaling them on sharp poles under the hot sun. [[Jonah]] did not [[love]] his enemies, and did not care that the city was going to be overthrown. He had rather disobey [[God]] than see his enemies saved.
Chapter 1 records [[God]]'s patience with the rebellious preacher. So many people today are like [[Jonah]] . They are disobedient to [[God]]'s leading. We learn from the Book of [[Jonah]] that [[God]] has a perfect will for each of us. When we do not follow His leading, we suffer. Likewise, many people today are like [[Jonah]] in that they do not [[love]] their enemies. They would rather see them destroyed than try to help them. Christ loved even those who rebelled against Him, those who spit upon Him, those who drove the nails into His hands and feet. As followers of Christ, we should have the mind of Christ.
In chapter 2 [[Jonah]] is chastened by [[God]], and [[Jonah]] repented from his [[sin]]. [[God]] then cleansed him and gave him another chance.
In chapter 3 we have a lesson in [[God]]'s power. As [[Jonah]] went to Nineveh to preach, [[God]] gave him the message he was to proclaim to the people. Chapter 4:11 says there were more than 120,000 persons who could not discern between their right hand and their left hand. Nineveh was the center of the rising empire of [[Assyria]]. The faithfulness of [[Jonah]] to preach the message [[God]] had given him brought a great change in the city. From the king to the lowest citizens, there were expressions of fear and repentance, and [[God]] forgave their sins. This was undoubtedly one of the greatest revivals in history, and it shows what the [[Lord]] can do with a frail human instrument who will preach His message.
Chapter 4 again shows the rebellion of [[Jonah]] . Instead of being happy and rejoicing at what had taken place, [[Jonah]] was angry at the people and at [[God]]. This proves that it is possible to serve the [[Lord]], and yet not [[love]] people. [[Jonah]] is so unlike [[Jesus]] in this chapter, for [[Jesus]] looked upon the city of lost souls and wept.
