BIBLE SHORTS

Part 6: Obadiah

Scripture

Obadiah 1

¹ The vision of Obadiah.

Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the LORD, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: “Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!”

Sermon Recap

Obadiah is a single chapter, just 21 verses, but it tells the story of a family feud that goes back generations. To understand the book, you have to go back to Genesis. Edom descended from Esau, and Israel descended from Jacob. The two were twin brothers, and their conflict started before they were even born. Rebekah was told by God that two nations were in her womb and that the older would serve the younger. That prophetic reversal set off a feud that played out across the rest of scripture. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. Jacob and his mother deceived Isaac to steal Esau's blessing. The bitterness echoed through centuries of history between their descendants.

Obadiah confronts Edom for what they did when Babylon came and ransacked Jerusalem. They didn't attack Israel directly. They stood on the sidelines and watched. They rejoiced. They looted what little was left. When Israelites tried to escape, Edom cut them off and handed them over to the enemy. Dr. White pointed out that doing nothing when your brother is suffering is its own kind of betrayal. Indifference is not neutral. God holds Edom accountable not just for what they did, but for what they refused to do.

Dr. White then shared something from his own life. He described a moment when something from his past surfaced publicly just as he was stepping into a significant ministry opportunity. His first instinct was revenge. He wanted to find dirt on the person who exposed him and return the hurt. He worked through why a Christian can't go there. Colossians 3 calls us to bear with one another and forgive. Ephesians 4 calls us to be tenderhearted and forgiving as God has forgiven us. Because God forgave us for things we actually did, we have no standing to withhold forgiveness from others.

Dr. White closed in Matthew 7. Many will say "Lord, Lord" and hear "I never knew you." Attending church, carrying a Bible, quoting scripture, doing ministry, none of that is the same as knowing Jesus. And knowing Jesus has to show up in how we treat the people around us, especially the ones who are suffering and the ones who have wronged us.

One Thing: Real Christianity shows up in how you treat your family, spiritual and otherwise, especially when it costs you something.

Discussion
Questions

Connecting

Have you ever had an old mistake resurface at the worst possible time?
What's the pettiest family feud you've ever witnessed or heard about?

Considering

In verses 10-14, what specific things does God hold Edom accountable for, and which involve action versus simply standing by?
What does Matthew 7:21-23 say about the difference between doing things in Jesus's name and actually knowing him?

Confessing

Is there a situation where you've been standing on the sidelines when you could have helped?
Is there someone you've been withholding forgiveness from, and what's the real reason?

Committing

What is one concrete action you can take this week for someone in your community who is struggling?
Who is one person God has put in your life that you've been treating as not your problem?

Next Steps

As part of our annual theme, Deep & Wide, we invite our church family to go deeper in relationship with God so that we can be the greatest blessing to one another and the world around us. Each week, we will follow up from the sermon with simple, practical steps to help us receive God’s blessing and apply the truths of the gospel more deeply into our lives.