Obadiah is the shortest Old Testament book, but in many ways forms a sort of "template" for the Old Testament Prophets.
This book speaks of the dangers of pride and arrogance, especially the feeling of superiority when others are being punished for their sins.
The key "themes" of Obadiah include God's sovereignty (vv. 2, 8, 15, 21), causes of self-deception (vv. 3, 7-9), the Day of the Lord (vv. 11-15 and 16-18), and encouragement and restoration (vv 17, 19-21). Obadiah is the story of two mountains (Mt. Seir and Mt. Zion) and two family lines (Jacob and Esau).
In time of seeming defeat by God's foes, there are two certainties: God's sovereignty over human history and God's sanctification of human history for his own glory.
The book is summarized in v. 21, "And the Kingdom shall be the Lord's." We must see our present circumstances in light of that certainty. This is the war-cry of Immanuel.
The antithesis that existed between God's enemies and his friends has not ceased. Rather both grow together in the world while the wheat and tares mature into the full body of what they are. The future as well as the present belongs to God. [Click on the "Outside Web Link" to see the Order of Worship and other audio from the service in which this sermon was preached]
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
“ Sovereignty of God. ” Good introduction and overview of the book, discussion over the date of the writing of the book, with stress put on the sovereignty of God over history. All things which happen to us, in the sovereign plan of God, work for the good of His Church and for our good, because the Kingdom is His.
Dr. Richard Bacon was born in 1946 and has been married to wife Debby since 1971. He received his education at Memphis State University (BA), now University of Memphis, Whitefield Seminary (M.A.R.; M.Div.; and Ph.D.), and Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Th.M;...
