Bible Chapter: Obadiah 1

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
This is the shortest book in the Old Testament.  God gave Obadiah a vision concerning the land of Edom.  This is one of the few prophecies aimed at a nation other than Israel and Judah.  God told Edom that their pride was going to bring judgement.  God said He would judge them because of the violence they did to their close relatives in Israel.  They would be filled with shame and destroyed.  When there was a need, Edom refused to help.  They should have been a friend, but they acted like one of Israel’s enemies.  They gloated over Israel’s problems.  They killed people trying to escape. They helped the enemies.  All their evil deeds would come back to them.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Verse 3 is interesting.  The NLT puts it this way:
“You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully.”
They felt they had all the protection they could ever need.  They were extremely proud.  But, this says that they were not trusting God.  They felt they didn’t need God.  God’s response to them was that, no matter what they did or where they went, He would find them and give them the punishment they deserve.  This is another message that we cannot hide from God, and yes, we really do need HIM.

3.  How can I help someone?
God knows what is going on in life.  He pays attention to everyone.  Here was a nation that thought they were going to be just fine. They didn’t admit that they needed Him or that He was paying attention to what they were doing.