Notes: March 19, 2009 – Obadiah

Prophecy of Obadiah

Who was the man and what did he say?

Obadiah: servant of the Lord

Probably not one who knew Elijah (1 Kings 18:3-4).

Did he live during the reign of Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:12)?

Most likely he was contemporary with Jeremiah (49:1-39) and Ezekiel (25:1-17).

Edom will be destroyed

  • Wars, and rumors of wars (v 1-2)
  • Pride goes before destruction. So also do a false sense of security and self-confidence (v 3-4).
  • This destruction will be complete (v 5-6).
  • None of their allies will deliver them (v 7-9).
  • Persecuting the people of God is always a bad idea (v 10-14).
  • When all around you are destroyed for their opposition to God, be ready for your own destruction (v 15-16).
  • The oppressed people of God will inherit the earth, thanks to the Savior (v 17-21).

Compare:

  • Obadiah 1:1 with Jeremiah 49:14
  • Obadiah 1:2 with Jeremiah 49:15
  • Obadiah 1:5 with Jeremiah 49:9
  • Obadiah 1:8 with Jeremiah 49:7

Consider:

  • Obadiah 1:15. What if God treats you as you have treated others?
  • Obadiah 1:21. Whose world is this?

 

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Notes: March 18, 2009 – Jeremiah 49

God against the Ammonites, Edomites and more

Will you rejoice that your enemies have received judgment from God?

Do you not realize that all of God’s enemies, including you, will receive such judgment?

Ammon shall be destroyed (v 2-6)

  • Kings, priests and princes shall be carried away (v 3)
  • The glorious and bountiful countryside shall be overrun (v 4)
  • Yet a remnant shall be saved (v 6)

Edom, descendants of Esau, shall be destroyed (v 7-22; Isaiah 34)

  • Enemies might stop short of total destruction; but God will not stop (v 9-10).
  • God will care for widows and orphans (v 11)
  • They who would belittle and despise God will be seen thus by their neighbors (v 15).
  • Strong men are often proud; pride will destroy the strongest of men and nations (v 16).
  • Would you like to be as Sodom and Gomorrah? (v 18)
  • When men become as women, that is a day to regret (v 22)

Damascus (Syria) shall be destroyed (v 23-27)

  • Fear can paralyze a strong man and a strong nation. (v 24).
  • Former music and rejoicing disappear (v 25).

Kedar shall be destroyed (v 28-29)

  • Not only city dwellers, but even the nomads will be affected (v 29).

Hazor shall be destroyed (v 30-33)

  • A wealthy nation that lives carelessly (v 31)
  • Uninhabitable (v 33)

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Notes: March 17, 2009 – Jeremiah 48

God against Moab

How long has it been since the Moabite first opposed Israel?

How often has that opposition popped up again during the intervening years?

God will not hold him guiltless who sets himself against God. The Moabites will learn this lesson by personal and national experience.

  • They are Madmen who oppose God (v 2)
  • Cities cry out (v 1-3)
  • Children are affected by the sins of their fathers (v 4)
  • Self-confidence without God is a curse (v 7)
  • No god is greater than Jehovah (v 7)
  • Destruction comes suddenly (v 8-9)
  • Cursed be he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully (Jeremiah 48:10).
  • Cursed also is the one who does not attack sin.
  • Comfortable living can be a curse (v 11).
  • Bury the false gods (v 13-18)
  • The fleeing masses will be asked why they flee (v 19-24).
  • The confused and staggering nation is as drunk (v 25-27).
  • What of Moab’s pride now? (v29)
  • What of Moab’s thanksgiving? (v33)
  • What of Moab’s false religion? (v 35)
  • Why? Because Moab has set himself up against the Lord. (v 42)
  • Fear, pit and snare. There shall be no escape for Moab. (v 43)
  • Would God be so merciful as to save a remnant? (v 47)

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Notes: March 16, 2009 – Jeremiah 47

God against the Philistines

No matter how long the enemies of God have tormented the people of God, God will hold them accountable.

  • The neighboring Philistines had tormented Israel for generations. Do you remember David and Goliath the Philistine?
  • Jeremiah had earlier delivered a word from God about the doom of the Philistines (Jeremiah 25:20).
  • Philistia’s enemy would be Egypt (v 1).
  • The attack would come from the north (v 2).
  • The enemy would have many horses and chariots (v 3).
  • This forthcoming trouble would last as long as God orders it (v 6-7).

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