This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue looking at the Minor Prophets.
What Is Obadiah? The book of Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, contains Obadiah’s message concerning the coming Day of the Lord as well as a promise that Israel would possess the land of Edom, the nation descending from Esau.
How Obadiah Fits Into the Story: The book of Obadiah displays the holiness and mercy of God. This book upholds faith in God’s just government and hope in the triumph of His will. Its message reorients our aching hearts to the truth that God is on His throne and faithfully cares for His own.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does God’s eternal nature affect the way He rules over His creation?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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32 thoughts on "Obadiah"
We are so stubborn! But yet God is so intentional in redeeming us and making us whole for the day of His return.
The Lord’s Kingdom is all powerful!!! Praise God
The Lord’s kingdom is all powerful!!!
Thank you for sharing. I feel similarly and will pray this as well. Thank you! Isaiah 40:31 ❤️
@Maura , @Heather , @AshleyThomas ,@ Kelly , @KristiS …. THANK YOU all so much for your insight into compassion.com !! I loved hearing your beautiful stories of sponsorship, and I have decided to become a sponsor as well. God really placed this on my heart to do… I am going to sign up tonight. It’s comforting to know how many children are being helped through this program, and also that you have had positive experiences. ❤️
I love how God always provides for his people.
As I read the minor prophets books of Amos and Obadiah this week, I learn how God was really on the people of Israel pointing out their sins of being materialistic, immoral and not following God’s word. But God protects his people and He restores his people which assures us there is hope for us if we trust in Him. He is always a loving God.
Praying for Victoria E, Melanie, Dorothy’s family, ERB, Sarah’s brother Nate and the requests of all reading – for those with anxiety feeling lonely / those in a season of waiting. Also praying for myself and others heading back to work in person and facing challenges. Constantly in prayer and ask you to pray for our nation please. A divided house cannot stand and Jesus is the way, the truth and light. Praying for the Lord to rise up Godly leaders – in government – in our jobs – our towns – our schools – and in our homes. Hear our cries Lord – we thank you AMEN ❤️
God’s love for us shows in many different ways, His forgiveness, His caring, His discipline, and His sacrifice. All we have to do to receive that love is have faith, faith in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Faith is hard to have at times. The Lord’s love never ends.
Have a blessed day sisters.
Kelly, Angie thank you ! Thank you to all who have been praying. Prayers for peace have been answered, I am excited to take this next step today and leave it up to God. Continued prayers for the IVF transfer today at noon PST would be very much appreciated. Great passage and insights from you lovely sisters here today! I have never read Obadiah but I love the message that the evil done in this world will be repayed. Even mine would have been but for the grace of God. I need to continue to grow in patience as I long for the time when all this will come to pas and sometimes grow weary of all the sin in the world, including and probably especially mine. @Melanie please go to the doctor if you are able. @ERB I pray your seizures are under better control and if not that your neurologist will have wisdom on how to change your regimen.
Victoria, I am praying for you. I also did IVF with my daughter, so your prayer request touched my heart. Please keep us updated!
I am struggling with trusting the Lord’s plan and timing and believing that there is more for me than I see right now (romantically, career, and friendships). I’m exhausted. Prayers would be so appreciated ❤️
Ashley I will pray. I like Isaiah 40:31 when I start to feel exhausted from this world too. “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint”
Praying for you Melanie. Sometimes it’s best to go to the hospital.
When reading Obadiah today, the thought that kept going through my head was that God always comes back for us. No matter how far astray we go, no matter how many bad things happen, no matter how dismal the future looks, God is going to work for His glory and that means He comes back and saves His own to His glory! Thank you, Father!
I’m a little “off”this morning. I’m heading back to work after being off Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Praying for you Melanie. If the pain is unbearable, please go to your doctor or the ER. Sometimes I think we need permission to do for ourselves what we would do for others automatically. Hugs sweet Sister. Thanks ERB, praying a really good day for you. His love poured out on all of you Sisters.
1. God sees the big picture! We don’t always understand His ways because He’s operating on a much larger time scale than we are. Things that seem monumental and final in a human’s life might be just a small step in God’s larger plan.
2. God’s judgement on Edom would be His judgement on me, except I am covered by the blood of Christ! It’s easy to view the enemies of Israel as the “bad guys” and to side myself with the “good guys”, but in reality I am just like them if I don’t turn to Christ. I am not “better” than the Edomites by anything that I’ve done on my own; Jesus alone saves me from my sin!
God’s eternal nature means: he doesn’t panic, he’s never taken by surprise, he has all the time in the world to accomplish his goals, he doesn’t get tired, he is never over extended.
On another note, I have always viewed the Israelites’ bent towards idolatry and sin as merely a human weakness on their part, but I was struck today by the strong possibility that this was how Satan tried to thwart God in his plan for sending a savior through this people group. I just never thought of it like that before.
Often we look at the world around us and think, “It isn’t fair, why do they get away with their awful evils?” But then I read passages like Obadiah 4:15 that says, “As you have done, so shall it be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.”
This is where I find peace of heart and mind. God knows, He sees those who do evil and act unjustly and one day in His timing — Our righteous, just God will take care of it, and their own evil will return upon their own heads.
Praising God that He is holy, just, righteous and true – and He cares for His own!
@Melanie – praying for you this morning ~ Have a blessed Tuesday ladies!
MAURA, Thank you so much for your prayers, I really appreciate them!! To answer your question, yes, the seizures I have though small, are still exhausting…I am doing everything I know how to, to take preventive measures…depending on how this morning goes (it’s already a little better than yesterday, hoping it will stay that way) but if it swings the other way, then I will need to have a conversation with my neurologist. Please pray about that for me!
I am so glad that you felt the presence of God with you this weekend… that’s an answer to prayer!! I am continuing to pray for wisdom, peace, comfort, and discernment to surround you in this difficult and emotional time… definitely make the time to PRESS INTO God. Listening and hearing what He wants you to! It’s so important ❤️
Isaiah 52… a lot of symbolism, with both prophetic and literal tones in this chapter!! I love how the first verse starts with Awake, Awake… and how it tells us to clothe ourselves with strength (not our own, but God’s) and to put on our garments of splendor (again not ours, but God’s) and how in the second verse it says to shake off the “old” and FREE ourselves from the chains (we placed) around our own necks!! SO much right there!!!
I also highlighted Isaiah 52:6-10 “ Therefore my people will know my name…” “Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.” …” and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.” WOW!!! So much meat in there!!!
I also loved Isaiah 52:12-15 “…for the Lord WILL go before you, the God of Israel WILL be your REAR GUARD.” … “ See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” (this verse made me think of the verses in Mathew 21:1-10 from today’s SRT reading) … “ he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were NOT told, they WILL see, and what they have NOT heard, they WILL understand.” Such AWESOME & FULFILLED PROMISES here!!! To God be ALL the Glory and Praise!!!!
Much love to all you wonderful ladies!!! ❤️❤️❤️
1. Following off the comment posted by Melanie, Obadiah (like Amos) reminds us that our God is just, holy and merciful. God can be this way because He is eternal, which means he sees the full picture. He knows the ending. Throughout the Old Testament we have seen Gods wrath and judgement, but every time he casts judgement, although it may seem harsh, it is always for Good. That is because we serve a good God; all Good things come from Him, He brings all good things. I’m thankful I serve a good God. In knowing I serve a good God, I can have faith that today and tomorrow (whatever they may bring) will be good because He is in control.
2. Today’s reading points to the story of redemption because we see Gods acts of mercy. We know we see her mercy in a BIG way again years later at the cross.
Ladies, I have written down and am praying for your requests, and you. God knows you by name. He created you. He has a plan and purpose for your life. Nothing is too big or too small for the heart of God. May His guidance be upon you, His healing as needed, and His help always. Amen.
God is a loving God who desires for mankind to be with him in eternity. With that as his motive he gave the Law in the Old Testament & told the Israelites to follow the Law. When they didn’t God sent many opportunities for repentance. The prophets of the Old Testament continually spoke to encourage them to return to God. God is gracious & I’m grateful he is!
1.God sees the whole picture. Beginning to the end while our limited vision hinders us from knowing why. But God. Rich in mercy know it all. 2. God is faithful. He has the last word. * please continue to pray for me. I was in so much pain last night I wanted to go to the hospital. Pray I know when to go and not to make it worse and for my kids to not worry about their mama
He knows the end from the beginning- what comfort I find in that.
Our Father in heaven keeps His promises, both to great nations – Israel and their enemies – and to each and every one of us who is redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus. He can be trusted beyond anything our hearts can imagine and that is the truth that carries me through every single day.
God can be trusted because He has had ALOT more experience than I have lol! How badly I want things to work according to my plan and my timing, but God is teaching me to sit back and trust Him for my daily provision. He is actively moving and working in my life. Even though sometimes I feel “stuck” He is still Lord of the Universe and Lord of my life. He knows best. He loves us and will work things out in His perfect timing (which if you think about it, time is only an earthly concept – time doesn’t exist in Heaven). Have a great day sisters! <3
VICTORIA E – rest in God today
1. God has said that He will judge the evil done in this world. Since He is eternal, the time and place may not be within the lifetime of those who suffered from the evil acts, but judgment will come.
2. When that final judgment comes
I will be seen as righteous and holy because I am in Jesus. Oh my, thank You, Lord for Your mercy!
I love how this study fits together different passages like pieces of a puzzle. It also comforts me that God is the same today as yesterday as He will be tomorrow.
God is the eternal King. He is not only my King, He has been Lord of generations and generations. People thousand of years ago and miles away. And still, He is the same God to me as He was to them. At the same time, I am not just one of many, a nameless figure to Him. He faithfully comes and provides for each one of His own. Truly, how great is our God!
Amen
Up late, so thought I would get ahead a little. Jody Lynn. I would also highly recommend Compassion. I have been blessed to sponsor 3 different children through the years and have been so blessed and thankful to read their letters and pray for them. God is so good. ErB, Isaiah 52, much here to consider. Verse 7, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, proclaim peace and salvation. And then in verse 13 more prophecy of Jesus being lifted up, then even mentionng His disfigurement, from the beatings He took. How much He bore, How much He suffered. He took it all that we might be set free. He is so good to us. May His joy be bright in us ERB and all my Sisters. So much hope in our LORD Jesus.