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Obadiah the ProphetDear Parents,
Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project® for Kids. Today’s Bible story looks at the prophet Obadiah’s message to the people of Edom. Do you remember the story of Jacob and Esau? The twins struggled in the womb, and their mother Rebekah asked why. Read Genesis 25:23 to find out God’s reply. The nation of Israel descended from Jacob, and the nation of Edom descended from Esau. God reaffirmed His promises to Jacob (Gen. 28:15), but Esau was a godless man who despised God’s promises. (Heb. 12:16) For centuries, the two groups were at odds. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, the king of Edom refused to let the Israelites pass through his country to get to the promised land. (Num. 20:14-21) Edom fought against God’s people on several occasions. (See 2 Chron. 20:2; 28:17; 2 Kings 8:20-22) The Book of Obadiah is God’s message about Edom in response to their sin. When the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem, the people of Edom didn’t help. Like an envious brother, Edom was glad to see Judah overcome. In fact, Edom was a guilty participant in the action against Judah. Read verse 11 in Obadiah. God said the people of Edom would get what they deserved. “As you have done, so it will be done to you; what you deserve will return on your own head” (Obad. 15). God used Obadiah to give a message to His people. Even though they were mistreated by the people of Edom, God was still in control. God showed His people that He is ruler of all the earth, and in the end, Jesus will set up His kingdom and make all things right. |
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Obadiah the Prophet
Obadiah 1-21
God sent a message to Obadiah (oh buh DIGH uh) the prophet. The message came to Obadiah in a vision. God had news about a country called Edom (EE duhm). The people who lived in Edom were like brothers to the people in Judah. Both groups were descendants of Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau. The people in Edom came from the family of Esau; God’s people came from the family of Jacob.
The people of Edom didn’t love God. They worshiped false gods. They lived in the mountains and trusted the mountains and their own strength to protect them. The people were full of pride; they thought they were better than everyone else.
The Edomites didn’t get along with God’s people in Judah. When the Babylonians took over the city of Jerusalem, the people in Edom just sat back and watched. They didn’t try to protect Judah. The people of Edom even went into Jerusalem and took things that didn’t belong to them. God said He was going to punish Edom. This is what God’s message was about.
God called for the nations to gather together. “Get ready for battle!” God said. “Let’s go ght against Edom.”
God had a message for the people of Edom. “Listen up! Out of all the nations, you will be the least important. No one will like you. You were proud, and I will punish you. You thought you were safe, tucked away in the cliffs, but I will bring you down.”
Obadiah’s message for the people of Edom was full of bad news.
God said He was going to allow Edom’s enemies to take away everything they had. Even the people who were their friends would steal from them. Many people would be killed.
God said to the people of Edom, “You were cruel to the people in Judah, so you will be punished. When Judah needed your help, you stood back and did nothing. You laughed and were happy that they were attacked.”
God reminded the people of Edom about all the wrong things
they had done. They had taken things from Judah. When the people of Judah ran to get away from the Babylonians, the people of Edom captured them and sold them as slaves.
Obadiah gave a warning from God. “The Day of the Lord is near,” he said. “Every evil thing you did to others will be done to you.”
God said that the bad things that were happening to His people in Judah were only for a little while. God said He would deliver His people. “But when I punish you, Edom,” God said, “everything will be destroyed. That will be the end for you.”
Obadiah’s message from God had good news for God’s people. “My people will have the land that belongs to Edom,” God said. The exile God’s people faced had an end and God would take care of His people, but Edom’s punishment was forever.
Christ Connection: God used Obadiah to give a message to His people. Even though they were mistreated by the people of Edom, God was still in control. God showed His people that He is ruler of all the earth, and in the end, Jesus will set up His kingdom and make all things right.
Obadiah 1-21
God sent a message to Obadiah (oh buh DIGH uh) the prophet. The message came to Obadiah in a vision. God had news about a country called Edom (EE duhm). The people who lived in Edom were like brothers to the people in Judah. Both groups were descendants of Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau. The people in Edom came from the family of Esau; God’s people came from the family of Jacob.
The people of Edom didn’t love God. They worshiped false gods. They lived in the mountains and trusted the mountains and their own strength to protect them. The people were full of pride; they thought they were better than everyone else.
The Edomites didn’t get along with God’s people in Judah. When the Babylonians took over the city of Jerusalem, the people in Edom just sat back and watched. They didn’t try to protect Judah. The people of Edom even went into Jerusalem and took things that didn’t belong to them. God said He was going to punish Edom. This is what God’s message was about.
God called for the nations to gather together. “Get ready for battle!” God said. “Let’s go ght against Edom.”
God had a message for the people of Edom. “Listen up! Out of all the nations, you will be the least important. No one will like you. You were proud, and I will punish you. You thought you were safe, tucked away in the cliffs, but I will bring you down.”
Obadiah’s message for the people of Edom was full of bad news.
God said He was going to allow Edom’s enemies to take away everything they had. Even the people who were their friends would steal from them. Many people would be killed.
God said to the people of Edom, “You were cruel to the people in Judah, so you will be punished. When Judah needed your help, you stood back and did nothing. You laughed and were happy that they were attacked.”
God reminded the people of Edom about all the wrong things
they had done. They had taken things from Judah. When the people of Judah ran to get away from the Babylonians, the people of Edom captured them and sold them as slaves.
Obadiah gave a warning from God. “The Day of the Lord is near,” he said. “Every evil thing you did to others will be done to you.”
God said that the bad things that were happening to His people in Judah were only for a little while. God said He would deliver His people. “But when I punish you, Edom,” God said, “everything will be destroyed. That will be the end for you.”
Obadiah’s message from God had good news for God’s people. “My people will have the land that belongs to Edom,” God said. The exile God’s people faced had an end and God would take care of His people, but Edom’s punishment was forever.
Christ Connection: God used Obadiah to give a message to His people. Even though they were mistreated by the people of Edom, God was still in control. God showed His people that He is ruler of all the earth, and in the end, Jesus will set up His kingdom and make all things right.