Class Lesson January 20, 2013

Hey Gang,

This week we take a look at the Minor Prophet Obadiah: A Message of God’s Justice. The lesson is about God’s response to arrogance and pride, especially at the expense of innocent victims, and how we should respond to unjust acts against them. In churches across the nation on the day of this study, the focus will be on the Sanctity of Human Life.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem that's going viral across the Internet.

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there, too! 

Sanctity of Human Life

Elderly Abuse

• Number of cases in 2010 - 5,961,568
• Percent of population abused - 10%
• Percent female - 67%
• Median age - 78
• Percent of abuse by Neglect - 59%
• Percent of nursing homes that lack adequate staff - 91%
• Percent of nursing homes in violation of elderly abuse laws - 36%

Abortion

• Compared with 2000 the abortion total decreased by - 6%
• The abortion rate decreased by - 7%
• The abortion ratio decreased by - 8%
• There were an estimated 1.6 million abortions in 1990; an estimated 1.2 million abortions in 2008; an estimated 1.15 million abortions today - that's 3,150 abortion every day.
• Since Roe v Wade in 1973 - 54,559,615

Child Abuse

• More than 5 children die every day as a result of child abuse.
• 80% of children that die are under the age of 4.
• 78% of children abused is because of Neglect.
• 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children.

Bullying - Cyber

• 2 out of 3 teens are verbally or physically harassed every day. 
• Over 50% of all teens have been bullied online.

Dating Abuse

• 33% of all high school students have been in an abusive relationship.

Sexual Assault

• Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.

 
           

Do You Remember...

Who said, "These are the times that try men's souls?" What do your actions show of your soul? Have you ever thought this, “Sometimes I don’t know how to help others, so I just don’t do anything at all. Or even if I wanted to, there’s nothing I can do.” 


What do you think the sin of indifference is?

Obadiah is our Minor prophet today and his book is the shortest book of the Old Testament prophets. His name means “servant of Yahweh” and it was given to him by his parents as a reflection of their faith and desire for his life.


The timing is believed to be sometime during the end of the six century B.C. possibly during the reign of Jehoram in Judah, 853-841 B.C., or possibly during Jeremiah’s ministry, 627-586 B.C. The prophet’s subject matter pertains to events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.


As we go through this lesson we should consider it’s implication on each of us as individuals and as a nation.

• Who is my brother/sister and could I be guilty of the same sin as the Edomites?
• As a nation, we might consider this as whether we are willing to come to the aid of Israel if they were invaded or anybody else that we believe to be a Christian nation or unable to defend themselves.

Obadiah this morning says that the nation of Edom will be destroyed for their attitude and actions toward Judah. The people of Edom were called Edomites – who were the Edomites?

• Edom was the nation associated with Esau who was Jacob’s twin brother. The people of Edom and Judah therefore had the same ancestors. Historically, Edom had constantly harassed the Jews or Israel. Prior to the time this book was written, they had participated in attacks against Judah. Given the dates above, this prophecy came after the division of Israel into the northern and southern kingdoms and before the conquering of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.
• Edom was Judah’s southern neighbor, sharing a common boundary. But neighbors are not always friends, and Edom liked nothing about Judah.
• The Edomites were proud of their city carved right into the rock. The Bible warns that pride is the surest route to self-destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Just as Edom fell, so will proud people fall. A humble person is more secure than a proud person because humility gives a more accurate perspective of oneself and the world.
• Ask yourself how much security you place in objects or people?
• Genesis 25:23; Malachi 1:1-5; Romans 9:13

I. WATCH YOUR ATTITUDE – OBADIAH 1-4
The vision of Obadiah.

Edom’s Certain Judgment

This is what the Lord God has said about Edom:

We have heard a message from the Lord; a messenger has been sent among the nations: “Rise up, and let us go to war against her.” 2 Look, I will make you insignificant among the nations; you will be deeply despised. 3 Your presumptuous heart has deceived you, you who live in clefts of the rock in your home on the heights, who say to yourself, “Who can bring me down to the ground?” 4 Though you seem to soar like an eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down. This is the Lord’s declaration.



What was God’s message to the people of Edom? How was He going to deal with them?

• Because of their indifference to and defiance of God, their cowardice and pride, and their treachery toward their brothers in Judah, they stood condemned and would be destroyed.
• The same is true for assuming I’m more important than you; my needs come first; or you are here to make me feel better/happier.
• Edom chose to become numb to the value of life. Thus, they were cruel and inhumane.
• Justice – Explanation: Obadiah predicted that God would destroy Edom as punishment for standing by when Babylon invaded Judah. Because of their treachery, Edom’s land would be given to Judah in the day when God rights the wrongs against His people. Importance Today: God will judge and fiercely punish all who harm His people. We can be confident in God’s final victory. He is our champion, and we can trust Him to bring about true justice.

Why are we being warned to watch our attitude?

God said that Edom had a presumptuous heart, what did this mean? Have you ever thought of yourself as presumptuous? What does it mean to be presumptuous? What makes someone presumptuous?

• Presumptive ones value their own lives first and foremost.
• Prideful, indifference, and arrogance
• Why would Edom have been prideful?
• Pride – Explanation: because of their seemingly invincible rock fortress, the Edomites were proud and self-confident. But God humbled them and their nation disappeared from the face of the earth. Importance Today: All those who defy God will meet their doom as Edom did. Any nation who trusts in its power, wealth, technology, or wisdom more than in God will be brought low. All who are proud will one day be shocked to discover that no one is exempt from God’s justice.

What does Edom’s attitude and behavior teach us about how to behave? What part do you and I have in how our country behaves?

• Patriotism is good, as long as it doesn’t lead to arrogance. Arrogance has led countries to do terrible things (Samples: Nazi Germany, North Korea, today’s Syria.). Explore how to stop arrogance before it leads to cruelty.
• When a person fails to see a need for God, trouble is soon to follow.
• All of the abuses mentioned above are striking examples of cruelty.

Do you think that we are an arrogant nation? How might a church become arrogant?

• Edom had an arrogant and indifferent attitude. Edom despised their brother Israel in time of need, so God would make them deeply despised among the nations. Edom chose a presumptuous or proud heart. Arrogance led Edom to entertain the false hope that they were invincible in their mountainous realm with their lofty ridges. The Edomites trusted in this false confidence. “Who can bring me down to the ground?” They may have been safe from most enemies, but not from God.
• Sadly, such arrogance characterizes many churches and individuals on the issue of abortion and the sanctity of human life. Some believe abortion is acceptable.

II. DON’T BE ALOOF – OBADIAH 10-15

Edom’s Sins against Judah

10 You will be covered with shame and destroyed forever because of violence done to your brother Jacob. 11 On the day you stood aloof, on the day strangers captured his wealth, while foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. 12 Do not gloat over your brother in the day of his calamity; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction; do not boastfully mock in the day of distress. 13 Do not enter the gate of My people in the day of their disaster. Yes, you—do not gloat over their misery in the day of their disaster and do not appropriate their possessions in the day of their disaster. 14 Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off their fugitives, and do not hand over their survivors in the day of distress.
Judgment of the Nations

15 For the Day of the Lord is near, against all the nations. As you have done, so it will be done to you; what you deserve will return on your own head.




What does it mean to be aloof?

1. Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.

2. Conspicuously uninvolved and uninterested, typically through distaste.

3. Indifferent



How was being aloof Edom’s sin? How could this be our sin as well?

• Instead of helping Israel and Judah when they were in need, Edom allowed them to be destroyed and even plundered what was left behind. Anyone who does not help God’s people is God’s enemy. If you have withheld your help from someone in a time of need, then this is a sin (James 4:17). Sin includes not only what we do, but also what we refuse to do. Don’t ignore or refuse to help those in need.
• Edom was glad to see Judah in trouble. Their hatred made them want the nation destroyed.

What is destructive about indifference? How can we risk indifference and cruelty today? Have you ever found yourself rejoicing at the misfortunes of others?

• Indifference toward abortion, elder abuse, child abuse, and other cruelty is effectively the same as lending support.
• Dietrich Bonheoffer, a Christian, decided to stand up against Nazi cruelty and hatred of Jews.
• Regarding human rights, history will judge us for our level of action. More important, God will judge us, because He notices all things. When someone is being hurt, God calls us to take a stand. Because God alone is the judge, we must never be happy about others’ misfortunes, even if we think they deserve them (Proverbs 24:17).
• Indifference is a form of pride. I think this is by far one of the major causes of marital difficulty. In the constant stream of people who have come to see me about problems in their marriage, almost invariably, somewhere along the line, I hear the complaint. "Well, he is simply indifferent to me. He doesn't care about me. He ignores me." Or, "She pays no attention to me. She isn't interested in the things that I am interested in." Isn't it strange that these things can be true in Christian homes? And how quickly it comes in after courtship. During the courtship it is, "What are you thinking about? Tell me what you would like?" But when marriage comes, it is, "Where's dinner? Where is the paper? What's on TV?" And the concern is entirely different. Why? Well, Esau is at work -- that's why. The force in human life that God hates is Esau
• Today, God’s holy nation is His church – all who have trusted Christ for their salvation and have given their lives to Him. These men and women are God’s born again and adopted children. As you read Obadiah, catch a glimpse of what it means to be God’s child, under His love and protection. See how the heavenly Father responds to all who would attack those whom He loves.

God charges Edom with the sin of gloating – what does gloating mean?

• It’s a manifestation of this basic problem of pride. Ha, Ha, good for you. You had it coming!" Did you ever say that in your own heart about somebody? "You had it coming." You were gloating over them. Adults learn to disguise this sometimes, but it comes out once in a while. You hear that the boss is sick, and you say. "Nothing trivial, I hope." What do you say when someone fails and you hear about it? Do you ever say, "Well, I told you so, or I knew that would happen, or I expected it all along"? That is the sense of gloating, you see. I remember reading of the hypochondriac who had written on his tombstone the words, "I told you I was sick."
• Now, what causes this? Why do we like to rub salt on another's wounds? What is behind this perverse delight we take in another person's failure or his faults? It is Esau in us.

Why will God’s judgment fall on all the nations?

• Edom wasn’t the only nation to rejoice at Judah’s fall. All nations and individuals will be judged for the way they have treated God’s people. Some nations today treat God’s people favorably, while others are hostile toward them. God will judge all people according to the way they treat others, especially believers (Revelation 20:12, 13). Jesus talked about this in Matthew 25:31-46.

Obadiah’s message reminds us to respond actively to the plight of innocent victims. This would include prayer, giving, and personal involvement. Indifference toward valuing human life effectively lends support to its practice. Believers should embrace God’s standards.




III. WORK FOR JUSTICE – OBADIAH 17-18, 21

17 But there will be a deliverance on Mount Zion, and it will be holy; the house of Jacob will dispossess those who dispossessed them. 18 Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph, a burning flame, but the house of Esau will be stubble; Jacob will set them on fire and consume Edom. Therefore no survivor will remain of the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken.


21 Saviors will ascend Mount Zion to rule over the hill country of Esau, but the kingdom will be the Lord’s.


The Edomites were routed by Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C. The nation no longer existed by the first century A.D. At the time of Obadiah’s prophecy, Edom may have seemed more likely to survive than Judah. Yet Edom has vanished, and Judah still exists today. This demonstrates the absolute certainty of God’s Word and of the punishment awaiting all who have mistreated God’s people. There are still remnants of the Edomites today among the Palestinians.


How can we work for justice? How can we individually and corporately reverse the tide of indifference toward issues like abortion, elder abuse, discrediting certain people, and other human rights challenges?

• Defending the rights of unborn children is directly connected to helping mothers faced with tough decisions about pregnancies. The church community should be a safe house for women needing a community of support.
• In addition to praying through actions that could save a baby after conception, think through ways to value the life of a preschooler, child, student, young adult, boomer, or senior adult.

How important is our relationship with God when considering an active role facing injustice?

• We place hope only in Jesus for restoration.
• Ministries we are involved in always face opposition. It is easy to give up. Instead, remember God’s call for us to uphold the rights of those who don’t have a voice.
• Ultimately, God is the one who will sort out the injustices of this world.

What does Obadiah teach us about God’s mercy and justice?

• It is part of God’s merciful character to offer hope to those who love Him and keep His commands (Deut. 7:9). But it is also part of His just nature to not let the guilty go unpunished (Ex.34:7). The end of the Book of Obadiah offers hope, but God did not offer Edom hope or pardon.

Obadiah describes a new day for Judah. Summarize what 17-18 and 21 teach about God.

• The tribe of Joseph is Israel, the Northern Kingdom, destroyed in 722 B.C. by the Assyrians.
• God promised a unified nation, including both Judah and Joseph. Edom would waste away. Today the land where the Edomites once lived for more than 1,700 years is a desolate place. The people and their language long ago disappeared, reminding us of the reliability of these biblical prophecies.
• The people of Judah have a bright future that extends beyond their victimized condition.
• Sometimes, victims need to know there is a good future beyond hopelessness they regularly feel. God brings hope that can come true!
• Emphasize that Obadiah spoke to people who were broken and destroyed. They had no sense of hope. Injustice seemed to rule.

Obadiah’s oracle addresses us today as well. As a nation and as the people of God, we need to weep and repent of indifference to abortion and to other refusals to value human life.


It’s likely that this lesson will lead many to reflect on times they have ignored the pain of others. We have all made mistakes that led to another facing hardship.

1. God values all persons.
2. Affirming the sanctity of human life means not only defending unborn children, but also helping mothers in tough situations.
3. It also includes helping women who’ve had abortions find peace and forgiveness.

How should we respond to the tragic and unjust events in the lives of others? Help or prevent?

Life Goal

Humbly take an active part in helping others.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, I am greatly blessed. Sometimes I allow my own blessedness to blind me to the truth that many around me are victims of abuse. Fill my heart with compassion for the hurting and grant me the willingness to take just action on their behalf. Amen.

Well, we are in our third week of Minor Prophets with Major Messages - do you think they are speaking to us yet?

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan