 Obadiah Questions and Answers |
| Q. When was the Book of Obadiah written? | A. Either 840 or 586 B.C. |
| Q. What sets Obadiah apart from the rest of the Bible? | A. It is the shortest book of the Bible. |
| Q. What does it cover? |
A. The continuing dispute between Jacob/Israel and Esau. Note: Herod descended from Esau. |
| Q. Did Obadiah see a vision? | A. Obadiah 1 = Yes. |
| Q. Who did this vision concern? | A. Obadiah 1 = Edom. |
| Q. Who are the people of Edom? | A. Esau, Jacob's twin brother. |
| Q. What was Edom's problem? | A. Obadiah 2-4 = Judgment was coming! |
| Q. What happens to folks who are esteemed for their wisdom and understanding apart from God? | A. Obadiah 8 = They get judged with all the rest of godless people. |
| Q. Why judgement on Edom? | A. Obadiah 10 = Edom did violence to Jacob/Israel, his own brother. |
| Q. How? | A. Obadiah 11 = Edom didn't help Israel when his enemies came. |
| Q. What's wrong with minding my own business? |
A. Obadiah 11 = It is the same as making oneself an enemy and doing physical harm. Note: Are you lacking concern for your brother in trouble? Ask God to pour compassion on you so that you can show it to your brother. Let God show you if and when to help. |
| Q. When my brother is under the rod of discipline, he is an easy target. Is this the time to back off and watch my words? |
A. Obadiah 11-12 = Yes. Otherwise, you will find yourself gloating at his expense. Note: Gloating is so easy to do! When you find yourself gloating on an easy target, decide to pray, speak blessings on him instead. "Do not be overcome by evil, but let evil be overcome by good." |
| Q. What did Edom do to Israel when they were being defeated by their enemies? |
A. Obadiah 13-14 = 1) Edom plundered Israel 2) looted their homes 3) made themselves rich at Israel's expense 4) killed those fleeing from their enemies 5) captured Israelites and handed them over to their enemies. |
| Q. What will Edom's judgment be like? | A. Obadiah 15 = The same they did for Israel will happen to them. |
| Q. God spared Israel and will always spare her. Will God leave a remnant of Esau too? | A. Obadiah 16 = No. Esau will drink and stagger and disappear from history, as though they never existed. |
| Q. Who will destroy Esau/Edom? | A. Obadiah 18 = Jacob/Israel will destroy his twin brother Esau/Edom. |
| Q. What will become of the land of Edom? | A. Obadiah 19 = God's people will be spread all over it. |
| Q. Who does Obadiah mention as the places occupied by Edom? |
A. Obadiah 19 = 1) Philistines (Goliath) 2) Ephraim 3) Samaria 4) Gilead (Benjamin would occupy it) 5) Phoenicia (Israelite exiles) 6) Zarepheth (will live here) |
| Q. When this happens, what will also occur? |
A. Obadiah 21 = The Lord Himself will be King in Zion. Note: This remains future prophecy yet to be fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom. |