Walter Beuttler delves into the book of Obadiah, highlighting the prophetic message of divine retribution and the ultimate triumph of God's government. The Edomites, descendents of Esau, faced humiliation and doom due to their pride, violence against Jacob, and envy of Israel's privileges. Edom's sins of hostility, refusal to help, rejoicing in destruction, and betrayal led to their inevitable doom and the enlargement of Israel.

A. THE BOOK OF OBADIAH 1. This is the shortest book of the Old Testament but a brilliant prophetic gem 2. The Edomites were the descendents of Esau, a proud, bitter, and resentful people, ever seeking an opportunity to harm Jacob’s descendents 3. The antagonism between the two nations began premonitorily when “the children struggled within her,” Gen. 25:22 4. The key phrase of the book is “as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee,” v. 15 B. THE PROPHET OBADIAH 1. Of the prophet Obadiah himself nothing is known 2. His name means “the servant,” or “the worshipper of Jehovah” 3. His language is simple but very suggestive, capable of expressing deep pathos and great triumph 4. The nature of his message made Obadiah the prophet of doom C. THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK 1. There is an inexorable law of divine retribution 2. The absolute certainty of the ultimate triumph of divine government (With due acknowledgment to Pulpit Commentary) EDOM’S FALL A. EDOM’S HUMILIATION, 1-9 1. What takes place in: (1) Verse 1? God influences the nations to rise up against Edom (2) Verse 2? In consequence the nations despise Edom’s military strength 2. Point out the prediction in 3-4: Edom will be humiliated in spite of her seeming impregnable position “in the clefts of the rock,” a stronghold called “Petra,” (a rock) and easily defended through the protection of high cliffs 3. What is announced in: (1) Verse 7? Edom’s desertion by her friends and allies with whom she had an agreement (2) Verses 8-9? That neither the wisdom of her counsellors, nor the courage of her soldiers will be able to save Edom 4. What contributed to Edom’s disaster, verse 3? Her self-deception through pride of heart 5. How did Edom’s pride affect her? (1) It gave her an unjustified confidence in her supposed security (2) It caused her to underestimate the power of divine retribution (3) It blinded her to her own sin and the need of repentance B. EDOM’S SINS, 10-14 1. For what reasons is Edom to be ashamed, verse 10? (1) For violence against Jacob, aggravated by the fact that he was her brother (2) For her failure to reciprocate the friendship of Jacob who was commanded not to hate the Edomites, Deut. 23:7 (3) For her continued hostility to the Israelites because of her envy of Israel’s superior privileges and her hatred resulting from Jacob’s acquirement of Esau’s birthright 2. Note Edom’s sins as seen from: (1) Verse 11 – Edom refused Israel help through wicked unconcern and hostile opposition (“stoodest on the other side”) (2) Verse 11 – Edom had acted as one of the conquerors (“even thou wast as one of them”) (3) Verse 12 – Edom rejoiced at Jacob’s destruction and watched with gleeful satisfaction (Schadenfreude) and “malignant neutrality” in the day that Jacob “became a stranger” (4) Verse 12 – Edom spoke in pride (lit. made her mouth great) in malicious pleasure against Jacob in the day of distress (5) Verse 13 – Edom made common cause with the enemy in the plundering of Jerusalem and even took a share in the loot (6) Verse 14 – Edom cut off the escape of the fugitives and handed them over to the pursuing enemy C. EDOM’S DOOM, 15-21 1. What is announced in: (1) Verses 15-16? The just retribution which Edom and all of Israel’s enemies shall suffer (2) Verse 17a? That mount Zion, once desecrated by the idolatrous rites of the Edomites and other nations, will become the seat of Jehovah and his kingdom (3) Verse 17b? The possession by Israel of the land once possessed by her enemies (4) Verses 18-20? The national extinction of Edom and enlargement of Israel 2. How does the book of Obadiah close, verse 21? With a jubilant note of the absolute triumph of divine government