From Exile to Redemption: Hope in Obadiah

Summary

In today's exploration of the book of Obadiah, we delve into the profound themes of exile, betrayal, and redemption. Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, serves as a poignant reminder of the journey of God's people from the promise of a homeland to the harsh reality of exile. This narrative begins with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and unfolds through the trials and tribulations of Israel, culminating in their captivity. The story of Israel is one of hope and promise, yet it is also a tale of turning away from God, leading to their eventual exile.

Obadiah's message is delivered to a people who are not only physically displaced but also spiritually disheartened. They are grappling with the betrayal of their kin, the Edomites, who not only refused to help during Babylon's siege of Jerusalem but actively aided the enemy. Obadiah's words are powerful, offering both a condemnation of Edom and a promise of divine justice. He assures the exiles that God has not forgotten their plight and that the day of the Lord will bring justice and restoration.

The sermon also draws a parallel between Edom and humanity, suggesting that the betrayal and pride of Edom are reflective of the broader human condition. This leads to the introduction of a "Great Replacement Theory," not as a conspiracy, but as a theological truth: humanity's faithlessness is replaced by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, the old self is replaced by a new creation, offering hope and redemption to all who believe.

Obadiah's message is ultimately one of hope, pointing to the day of the Lord when justice will prevail, and God's promises will be fulfilled. It challenges us to move beyond resentment and bitterness, to trust in God's justice, and to embrace the new life offered through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Journey from Promise to Exile: The story of Israel is a journey from the promise of a homeland to the harsh reality of exile. This narrative reminds us of the consequences of turning away from God and the hope of redemption through His promises. It challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual journeys and the ways we may have strayed from God's path. [06:02]

2. Betrayal and Divine Justice: Obadiah addresses the betrayal by the Edomites, highlighting the pain of being wronged by those we trust. Yet, he assures us that God's justice will prevail. This teaches us to trust in God's timing and justice, even when we feel powerless and betrayed. [11:39]

3. The Great Replacement Theory: The sermon introduces a theological "Great Replacement Theory," where humanity's faithlessness is replaced by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. This profound truth invites us to embrace the new creation we become in Christ, leaving behind our old selves. [27:30]

4. Moving Beyond Resentment: Obadiah warns against the dangers of resentment and bitterness, urging us to trust in God's justice. This is a call to release the burdens of past betrayals and to find freedom in forgiveness and reconciliation. [20:53]

5. Hope in the Day of the Lord: The promise of the day of the Lord offers hope for justice and restoration. It reminds us that God's kingdom is coming, and we are invited to be part of this new creation, living in the light of His promises. [18:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:24] - Introduction to Obadiah
- [03:07] - Story of Olivier Messiaen
- [04:19] - Music in Adversity
- [06:02] - Israel's Journey to Exile
- [08:51] - Betrayal by Edom
- [10:45] - The Connection to Esau
- [11:39] - Obadiah's Powerful Words
- [12:40] - Quoting Jeremiah and Ezekiel
- [14:57] - Hope for Justice
- [15:56] - Naming the Trauma
- [17:36] - Singing the Blues
- [18:27] - The Day of the Lord
- [20:53] - Resentment and Redemption
- [21:59] - Vision of Restoration
- [23:33] - The Promised Land Reimagined
- [25:29] - The Open Question
- [27:30] - The Great Replacement Theory
- [29:37] - New Creation in Christ
- [30:43] - The Day of Jesus' Passion
- [32:06] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Resurrection
- [32:53] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Obadiah 1:1-21: The vision of Obadiah concerning Edom and the promise of divine justice and restoration for Israel.

#### Observation Questions
1. What events led to the exile of God's people as described in the sermon? ([06:02])
2. How did the Edomites betray the Israelites during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem? ([10:45])
3. What is the significance of the "day of the Lord" as mentioned in Obadiah's message? ([18:27])
4. How does the sermon describe the connection between Edom and humanity's broader condition? ([27:30])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Obadiah's message of divine justice provide hope to the exiles, and what does it suggest about God's character? ([14:57])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the betrayal by Edom reflects the broader human condition? ([27:30])
3. How does the concept of the "Great Replacement Theory" in the sermon redefine our understanding of faithfulness and redemption through Christ? ([29:37])
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of resentment and bitterness, and how does it suggest we overcome them? ([20:53])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there ways you have strayed from God's path, and how can you realign with His promises? ([06:02])
2. Have you ever experienced betrayal similar to what the Israelites faced with the Edomites? How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Obadiah's message about trusting in God's justice? ([11:39])
3. The sermon speaks of moving beyond resentment. Is there someone you need to forgive, and what steps can you take towards reconciliation? ([20:53])
4. How does the promise of the "day of the Lord" inspire hope in your life, and how can you live in anticipation of God's justice and restoration? ([18:27])
5. In what ways can you embrace the new creation you are in Christ, leaving behind your old self? What practical steps can you take to live out this transformation? ([29:37])
6. Consider the parallels between Edom's pride and humanity's condition. How can you cultivate humility and faithfulness in your daily life? ([27:30])
7. How can you actively participate in God's kingdom work, living in the light of His promises and sharing the hope of redemption with others? ([23:33])

Devotional

Day 1: The Journey from Promise to Exile
The story of Israel is a profound journey from the promise of a homeland to the harsh reality of exile. This narrative begins with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and unfolds through the trials and tribulations of Israel, culminating in their captivity. It serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the hope of redemption through His promises. This journey challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual paths and the ways we may have strayed from God's guidance. As we consider Israel's story, we are invited to examine our own lives, recognizing the moments we have turned away from God and the hope that remains in His promises. [06:02]

Jeremiah 29:10-11 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps can you take today to realign your life with His promises and guidance?

Day 2: Betrayal and Divine Justice
Obadiah addresses the betrayal by the Edomites, highlighting the pain of being wronged by those we trust. The Edomites, who were kin to the Israelites, not only refused to help during Babylon's siege of Jerusalem but actively aided the enemy. This betrayal left the Israelites not only physically displaced but also spiritually disheartened. Yet, Obadiah assures them that God's justice will prevail. This teaches us to trust in God's timing and justice, even when we feel powerless and betrayed. It is a reminder that while human justice may falter, divine justice is certain and will bring restoration. [11:39]

Psalm 37:7-9 (ESV): "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you felt betrayed. How can you trust in God's justice and timing to bring healing and restoration to that situation?

Day 3: The Great Replacement Theory
The sermon introduces a theological "Great Replacement Theory," where humanity's faithlessness is replaced by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. This profound truth invites us to embrace the new creation we become in Christ, leaving behind our old selves. Through Christ, the old self is replaced by a new creation, offering hope and redemption to all who believe. This transformation is not just a change in behavior but a complete renewal of our identity in Christ. It challenges us to let go of our past failures and embrace the new life offered through Jesus. [27:30]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What aspects of your old self do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ? How can you begin this transformation today?

Day 4: Moving Beyond Resentment
Obadiah warns against the dangers of resentment and bitterness, urging us to trust in God's justice. The pain of betrayal can lead to deep-seated resentment, but holding onto this bitterness only harms us further. Instead, we are called to release the burdens of past betrayals and to find freedom in forgiveness and reconciliation. This is a call to move beyond resentment, trusting that God's justice will prevail and that we can find peace in His promises. By letting go of bitterness, we open ourselves to healing and the possibility of restored relationships. [20:53]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive to move beyond resentment? How can you take a step towards forgiveness and reconciliation today?

Day 5: Hope in the Day of the Lord
The promise of the day of the Lord offers hope for justice and restoration. Obadiah assures the exiles that God has not forgotten their plight and that the day of the Lord will bring justice and restoration. This promise reminds us that God's kingdom is coming, and we are invited to be part of this new creation, living in the light of His promises. It challenges us to live with hope and anticipation, knowing that God's justice will ultimately prevail and His promises will be fulfilled. [18:27]

Isaiah 65:17-19 (ESV): "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress."

Reflection: How can you live today in anticipation of the day of the Lord? What changes can you make in your life to align with the hope and promises of God's coming kingdom?

Quotes

1) "What do you do in the worst of circumstances? As I asked that, Rob has in many ways evoked some of the worst that can happen to us as we face natural disaster, as we face the evaporation of our dreams for the family that we had hoped for. In 1940, there was a young man. He was 30. He was French. And ever since he was a little kid, he loved to play one of those, a piano. And he had been trained in Paris, at the best schools. His name was Olivier Messiaen. But he found himself in the Battle of France, and that's when France lost the Germany. And before he knew it, he was in what is now Poland, in prisoner of war. Being a musician, he had done two things. One, he had held on tightly to just a few pieces of paper in the palm of his hand, some scores that he had scribbled down. And the other thing that he had done was, as he was in this camp, even as he was on the way there, he was looking for other musicians. He found three." [03:07] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "So Messiaen wrote music when the worst thing happened. Obadiah preaches a sermon. Let's remember now how the people of God got to exile. Remember there was Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The promise that God gives to Abraham in Genesis 12 where he says, go from your country, your kindred, and your father's household to the land that I will show you. I will make you great. And through you all the people of the earth will be blessed. That promise becomes a people as Abraham and Sarah have Isaac. And as Abraham and Sarah have Isaac. And as Isaac and Rebekah have Esau and Jacob. And as Jacob marries Rachel. And Jacob and Rachel and Leah have twelve sons. You know this story. There's the coat of many colors. There's the sun that's sold into Egypt. There's the people that come there and grow from a people to a tribe. And those people are lost for 400 years as they become slaves. And then there's the man Moses, right? Who comes and delivers the people. He's God's man. And brings them out of Egypt. And they're in the desert for 40 years. And they're headed for the promised land. The promised land. It's the land that Abraham walked around. It's the land that his sons lived in as nomads. It's the land that those people, when they were slaves in Egypt, dreamed about." [06:02] (103 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "We read their story, right? We tell it to our kids on felt boards and on coloring sheets. And we hold our breath. We want it to end in a comedy where things end up better than they should be. Where the kings are good and where the people flourish. Because that's the way the life of grace is supposed to be. We so want our hero, Israel, to return to the taproot of their collective soul. And there's flashes of hope. There are people of promise. Yet Israel becomes a people who turn to violence over peace, hatred over love, abuse over justice. And the Lord hands them over to the things they want. Right? So that's, if we can think, just get that story in your mind, right? It starts with the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And then it goes to Egypt. And then Moses takes them to the desert. And they're in the promised land. And they have all these kings. But things do not go as they should. And the Lord hands them over to the things they want." [07:29] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Obadiah is singing the blues. This is what, the soul is of an American creation. It comes from texts like this. He's speaking the unspeakable. He's naming the trauma of their past. He's not going to let them cut it off. He mentions misfortune and somebody says amen. He says ruin and somebody says my mind. He says calamity, calamity, calamity. Because that is... That is the best word for where these people find themselves. You can imagine tears flowing, speaking, and people saying, yes, yes, that was me. Obadiah is connecting the words of these prophets to the worst case scenario that's unfolding in these people's lives. The very things that had happened to them when their beloved Jerusalem fell. Powerful words to a powerless people." [17:36] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Obadiah frames the confusion of betrayal. The impulse and instinct that flows. The hurt, the pain, and he places their lives in a larger frame than their experience. The frame of the justice of God. The day of the Lord. A time when the evil deeds of the evildoers will return on their heads. When what is done by others will be done to them. On this day of the Lord, the power of violence will be limited. Not repaid two -fold or four -fold. But one -fold. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. A radical forbearance and limitation in Israel's day and in ours too. And just see. Just take a step and see what Obadiah is doing. This is where he's a prophet. And his words just kind of slap us off the page. But look what he's doing. He's a good pastor. He is trying to save his people from resentment." [20:53] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "When bitterness and resentment bind us together. Reconciliation or constructive solidarity are impossible. Obadiah knows this. And he wants to move these people past bitter resentment into a frame of seeing that God is working for them. So next Obadiah paints a picture of what that day will look like. It will happen on the Lord's holy mountain, Jerusalem. The place where brotherly betrayal unfolded will be a place where the price is paid. So he says in verses 16. For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually. They shall drink and swallow and shall be as though they had never been. And in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape and it shall be holy. And the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions. The house of Jacob shall be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame. The house of Esau stubble. They shall burn them. They shall burn them and consume them. And there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau. For the Lord has spoken." [21:59] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "The true great replacement theory is this. That all humanity is like Edom. It has betrayed its brother. It has chosen the way of death and destruction instead of love and humility. Humanity has betrayed God. And God has destroyed humanity. He has burned us and consumed us. And this is the great replacement. All the faithless humanity has been replaced by the one faithful man. All of Israel replaced by one faithful Israelite. The man Jesus Christ. This faithful one was sent by God who so loved the world that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. And the deep good news of Jesus is that we can be a new creation in him. The old humanity, the old Adam is gone. And the new one has come. The old self is replaced." [29:37] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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