God's Trustworthy Vengeance

Sermon Summary

Obadiah - God’s Trustworthy Vengeance

The majority of the book of Obadiah pronounces judgment on the foreign nation of Edom, making Obadiah one of only three prophets (that includes Nahum and Habakkuk) who pronounced judgment primarily on other nations. Obadiah’s singular focus points to a significant, albeit difficult, truth about humanity’s relationship with God. That is, when people place themselves in opposition to God’s people, they can expect judgment, rather than restoration, at the end of life.

The Book of Edom can be examined in three sections:
1. God’s Overthrow of Edom (vv. 1-9)
2. God’s Offense Against Edom (vv. 10-14)
3. God’s Outlook for Edom (vv. 15-21)

Obadiah’s name, meaning “worshipper of Yahweh,” offers an interesting counterpoint to the message of judgment he pronounced on Edom, which was Judah’s neighbor to the southeast. As a worshipper of Yahweh, Obadiah placed himself in a position of humility before the Lord; he embraced his lowly place before the almighty God.

That God sent a man named “worshipper of Yahweh” to the people of Edom was no mistake. Edom had been found guilty of pride before the Lord (Obadiah 1:3). They considered themselves greater than they actually were, and their arrogance was so great that they mocked, stole from, and even harmed God’s chosen people. But the “Lord GOD,” a name Obadiah used to stress God’s sovereign power over the nations, did not stand idly by and let His people suffer forever (1:1). Through Obadiah, God reminded Edom of their poor treatment of His people (1:12–14) and promised redemption, not to the Edomites, but to the people of Judah (1:17–18). The nation of Edom, which eventually disappeared into history, remains one of the prime examples of the truth found in Proverbs 16:18 - “Pride goes before destruction,” and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” In a sense, this was poetic justice toward Edom by way of God’s vengeance.

Practical Application:
1. God will be faithful to humble you.
2. God will be faithful to vindicate you.
3. God will be faithful to save you.