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Bible Survey Lesson 46 : OBADIAH 1 + JONAH 1-5 NASB1995
The Minor Prophets is a collection of twelve (12) Old Testament books, known simply as “The Twelve” or “the Book of the Twelve” in the Hebrew Bible. The title “minor” refers to length, not significance. Roughly in chronological order, each of these short books gives a glimpse into the spiritual landscape and history of Israel, challenging the status quo through prophets called to speak on God’s behalf.
A study through the 12-books at the end of the Old Testament known as “the Minor Prophets”. You will be pleased by how much easier these often-overlooked books of the Bible are to understand with a little context. Plus you will be learn & be convicted by how relevant and timely their messages still are to believers today.
The Minor Prophet, OBADIAH – “Edom Will Be Humbled” Obadiah NASB1995
The Book of OBADIAH … Obadiah is a prophetic message against Edom (descendants of Esau, the son of Isaac, Edom occupied the mountainous region south of the Dead Sea.), highlighting God’s judgment for pride and injustice. It emphasizes divine justice, warning that Edom’s betrayal and violence will lead to their downfall. Ultimately, it promises the restoration and deliverance of Israel, affirming God’s sovereignty and the establishment of His kingdom.
“Edom Will Be Humbled” – Obadiah 1 NASB1995
“1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom—We have heard a report from the Lord, And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, “Arise and let us go against her for battle”— – Obadiah 1 NASB1995
Author: Obadiah, whose name means “servant of Yahweh,”. Obadiah verse 1 identifies the author of the Book of Obadiah as the Prophet Obadiah.
Date: The Book of Obadiah was likely written between 848 and 840 BC, following an invasion of the Philistines and Arabians
Purpose: Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, is only 21 verses long. Obadiah is a prophet of God who uses this opportunity to condemn Edom for sins against both God and Israel. The Edomites are descendants of Esau and the Israelites are descendants of his twin brother, Jacob. A quarrel between the brothers has affected their descendants for over 1,000 years. This division caused the Edomites to forbid Israel to cross their land during the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt. Edom’s sins of pride now require a strong word of judgment from the Lord.
Key Verses:
Obadiah 1: 4, “‘Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,’ declares the LORD.”
Obadiah 1:12, “You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.”
Obadiah 1:15, “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.”
Brief Summary: Obadiah’s message is final and it is sure: the kingdom of Edom will be destroyed completely. Edom has been arrogant, gloating over Israel’s misfortunes, and when enemy armies attack Israel and the Israelites ask for help, the Edomites refuse and choose to fight against Israel, not for them. These sins of pride can be overlooked no longer. The book ends with the promise of the fulfillment and deliverance of Zion in the Last Days when the land will be restored to God’s people as He rules over them.
Foreshadowings: Verse 21 of the Book of Obadiah contains a foreshadowing of Christ and His Church. “Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, And the kingdom shall be the LORD’s” (NKJV). These “saviors” (also called “deliverers” in several versions) are the apostles of Christ, ministers of the word, and especially the preachers of the Gospel in these latter days. They are called “saviors,” not because they obtain our salvation, but because they preach salvation through the Gospel of Christ and show us the way to obtain that salvation. They, and the Word preached by them, are the means by which the good news of salvation is delivered to all men. While Christ is the only Savior who alone came to purchase salvation, and is the author of it, saviors and deliverers of the Gospel will be more and more in evidence as the end of the age draws near.
Application: God will overcome in our behalf if we will stay true to Him. Unlike Edom, we must be willing to help others in times of need. Pride is sin. We have nothing to be proud of except Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.
The Minor Prophet, JONAH – “Disobedience” – Jonah NASB1995
The Book of JONAH … Jonah details the journey of the prophet Jonah, who is commanded by God to preach repentance to the city of Nineveh. Having initially fled toward Tarshish, Jonah is swallowed by a great fish. After repenting and being spit out by the fish, he reluctantly fulfills God’s command, leading Nineveh to repentance. The narrative highlights themes of obedience, mercy, and compassion.
Jonah’s Disobedience – Jonah 1:1+ NASB1995
“1 “The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” – Jonah 1:1+ NASB1995
Author: Jonah 1:1 identifies the book as telling the story of the prophet Jonah. Although the book is written in the third person, the traditional view is that Jonah is the author of the book, and there is no persuasive reason to theorize about an unknown author.
Date: The Book of Jonah was likely written between 793 and 758 B.C. Full article: When was Jonah written?
Purpose: Disobedience and revival are the key themes in this book. Jonah’s experience in the belly of the whale provides him with a unique opportunity to seek a unique deliverance, as he repents during this equally unique retreat. His initial disobedience leads not only to his personal revival, but to that of the Ninevites as well. Many classify the revival which Jonah brings to Nineveh as one of the greatest evangelistic efforts of all time.
Key Verses:
Jonah 1:3, “But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish…”
Jonah 1:17, “But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.”
Jonah 2:2, “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”
Jonah 3:10, “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.”
Summary: Jonah’s fear and pride cause him to run from God. He does not wish to go to Nineveh to preach repentance to the people, as God has commanded, because he feels they are his enemies, and he is convinced that God will not carry out his threat to destroy the city. Instead he boards a ship for Tarshish, which is in the opposite direction. Soon a raging storm causes the crew to cast lots and determine that Jonah is the problem. They throw him overboard, and he is swallowed by a great fish. In its belly for 3 days and 3 nights, Jonah repents of his sin to God, and the fish vomits him up on dry land (we wonder what took him so long to repent). Jonah then makes the 500-mile trip to Nineveh and leads the city in a great revival. But the prophet is displeased (actually pouts) instead of being thankful when Nineveh repents. Jonah learns his lesson, however, when God uses a wind, a gourd, and a worm to teach him that He is merciful.
Foreshadowings: That Jonah is a type of Christ is clear from Jesus’ own words. In Matthew 12:40-41, Jesus declares that He will be in the grave the same amount of time Jonah was in the whale’s belly. He goes on to say that while the Ninevites repented in the face of Jonah’s preaching, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law who rejected Jesus were rejecting One who is far greater than Jonah. Just as Jonah brought the truth of God regarding repentance and salvation to the Ninevites, so too does Jesus bring the same message (Jonah 2:9; John 14:6) of salvation of and through God alone (Romans 11:36).
Application: We cannot hide from God. What He wishes to accomplish through us will come to pass, despite all our objections and foot-dragging. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that He has plans for us and will see to it that we conform to those plans. How much easier it would be if we, unlike Jonah, would submit to Him without delay!
God’s love manifests itself in His accessibility to all, regardless of our reputation, nationality or race. The free offer of the Gospel is for all people in all times. Our task as Christians is to be the means by which God tells the world of the offer and to rejoice in the salvation of others. This is an experience God wants us to share with Him, not being jealous or resentful of those who come to Christ in “last-minute conversions” or who come through circumstances dissimilar to our own.