Obadiah: God Cares About More Than Just Us

Obadiah: God Cares About More Than Just Us

Introduction to Obadiah 

A self-esteem problem. Pride makes them feel bigger and better than they are (v.2).

A security problem. Pride make them feel more secure than they are (v.3).

A justification problem. Pride makes them feel like they can justify their injustices:

1. Violence (v.10).
2. Indifference (v.11).
3. Rejoicing at other’s misfortune (v.12).
4. Taking advantage of other’s misfortune (v.13-14).

Pride ends in repentance (humbling ourselves) or retributive justice (being humbled).

EDOM’s Problem is ADAM’s Problem (v.15)

God’s Surprising Solution is PENTECOST: Joel 2.28-32 and Romans 4.5 Believing in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.

Brennan Manning in Ragamuffin Gospel:

“Here is revelation bright as the evening star: Jesus comes for sinners, for those as outcast as tax collectors and for those caught up in squalid choices and failed dreams. He comes for corporate executives, street people, superstars, farmers, hookers, addicts, IRS agents, AIDS victims, and even used-car salesmen. Jesus not only talks with these people but dines with them— fully aware that His table fellowship with sinners will raise the eyebrows of religious bureaucrats who hold up the robes and insignia of their authority to justify their condemnation of the truth and their rejection of the gospel of grace. This passage should be read, reread, and memorized. Every Christian generation tries to dim the blinding brightness of its meaning because the gospel seems too good to be true.”

No, if we come out of this time with more pride, we will not have gotten the message. God is against our pride FOR OUR SAKE and for his own name’s sake. 

Pride might offer self-esteem, but faith in God offers God-given identity and value.

Pride might offer security, but faith in God offers God-given security that transcends sickness and even death. A virus or despair could take you to death, but only God can take you from death.

Pride might offer a sense of justification that makes you feel the might makes right, but only faith in God can actually justify the ungodly. Edom. Adam. You. Me. All flesh.

Integration Questions:

1. How are you holding up?
2. Can you think of a time when you could see pride in someone else, and they were blind to it? Can you think of a time when you couldn’t see your own pride?
3. A wise person said, “You can’t humiliate the humble.” What do you think about that? Why does humiliation hurt so bad?
4. In some ways, the gospel is humiliating because we are lumped with those “ungodly” that God is justifying apart from their deserving. Have you every thought about the gospel as humiliating? Do you think this is why it is difficult for some to believe?
5. How can we pray for each other this week?