Scripture: Genesis 25:21-26; 36:1; Obadiah 1-2

C.I.: Obadiah: “When a Nation Turns Away from God”

The people of Edom were the descendants of Esau (thus, they were family, the brothers of Israel).
But this branch of the family had gone a different way. – Sadly, they had replaced their faith in God with things
Obadiah teaches an important lesson for our nation – but he teaches the church an even more important lesson.

I. God’s Message to a Nation with a Misplaced Faith

A. 5 Things They Trusted in that Cannot Save (vs. 1-9)

1. #1. Faith in Natural Defenses (vs. 3-4)
a. “‘The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, - in the loftiness of your dwelling place, - who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to earth?” – Though you build high like an eagle, - from there I will bring you down,’ declares the Lord.”
1) Petra (Indiana Jones & Last Crusade) – Sandstone dwelling places & ladders.
b. America also felt secure – we all slept easily – we are protected by oceans, SOSUS, NORAD, etc.
1) Then Sept. 11, 2001, received a wake-up call. – “Fortress America” was no longer safe!
c. Many people are also spiritually asleep – “Nothing can harm me.”
1) Eph. 5:14-16; 2:1, “Awake sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” – You were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you formerly walked.”
2) Has America lost its way? – Have we turned from God – put our faith in natural defenses?

2. #2. Faith in Wealth/Money (vs. 5-6)
a. “If thieves came to you, if robbers by night – O how you would be ruined! – Would they only steal until they had enough? – O how Esau will be ransacked, and his hidden treasures searched out.”
1) Edom like the U.S. was wealthy (defeated USSR financially) – capitalism vs. communism.
b. I’ve said it many times – Money is spiritually neutral! – But it is never a place to put our faith!
1) Matt. 6:19-21, “Do not lay up…for where your treasure is – there will your heart be also.”
2) ILLUST.: Quote from Alexander Tyler
3) Has America lost its way? – Have we turned from God – put our faith in money?

3. #3. Faith in Allies (v. 7)
a. “All the men allied with you will send you forth to the border, - and the men at peace with you will deceived you and overpower you. – They who eat your bread will set an ambush for you.”
1) In the U.S. today, a big debates is whether or not we should rely more on the United Nations.
2) The concern is over how much do we want to tie the U.S.A.’s interests to that of others?!

b. Spiritually, the same thing happens in the lives of people today.
1) Some folks are easily manipulated/lead by others – but God warns us to be watchful!
2) (Psa. 1:1; I Cor. 15:33; II Cor. 6:14), “Blessed is the man who does not…” – “Do not be deceived, bad companions…” – “Do not be bound together with unbelievers, for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship have light & darkness?”
3) Has America lost its way? – Have we turned from God – put our faith in allies?

4. #4. Faith in Worldly Wisdom (v. 8)
a. “‘Will I not on that day,’ declares the Lord, ‘destroy wise men from Edom – and understanding from the mountain of Esau?’”
1) The “wise men” of today – don’t ride camels – intellectuals, pundits, etc.
2) Today’s buzzword is “SPIN” – listen as Dems./Rep. Talk about same man/issue…?!!!
b. Spiritually there are lots of choices - where “Wise Men” will tell you to put your faith…!
1) (Pro. 16:25; Col. 2:8), “There is a way that seems right…” – “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, - according to the elementary principles of this world rather than according to Christ.”
2) (Pro. 14:34; II Tim. 3:16-17), “R. exalts a nation…” – “All scripture is inspired….”
3) Has America lost its way? – Have we turned from God – put our faith in worldly wisdom?

5. #5. Faith in Military Might (v. 9)
a. “Then your mighty men will be dismayed O Teman, in order that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.”
1) History is replete with examples of great empires falling; Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome…!
2) Could the U.S. be very far behind?
b. Any victory achieved by God’s people – is won on the basis of only one thing (its NOT our numbers, its not our money) – it is by where we place our faith (I Jn. 5:4), “We know that whatever is born of God overcomes THE WORLD, and this is the VICTORY … OUR FAITH!”

B. The Church has Two Choices for How We Can Respond… (vs. 10-21)

1. When Edom saw its brothers (Israel) facing calamity – the nation of Edom stood by and did nothing!
a. (Obadiah 11), “On the day when you stood aloof, - on the day when strangers carried off his wealth, - and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jeru. – you too were as one of them.”
1) We could do the same - Stand idly by – offer excuses why we can do nothing…
2) “I thought there is supposed to be a separation of church…”
3) “I wouldn’t know what to say”- “I might say the wrong thing” – “I wouldn’t want to offend”
b. We need to recognize that the world around us stands of the brink of eternity’s abyss – they each face an eternity of condemnation and separation from God!

2. Brethren we must not – we cannot – stand idly by while this nation – rushes head-long into an eternity without God!
a. Lets be honest brethren – if we truly believed these people were lost - and if we truly believed in the reality of an eternal place of torment called hell – if we truly believed that the only chance many of our friends and family have is for us to share the gospel with them …
THEN WE WOULD DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO LEARN HOW!!!
b. If we are not the people God has chosen to rescue them – than who is???
c. (Jude 22-23), “Have mercy on some who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the f.”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Where is your faith? (Things, Money, Friends, Power) - All of these things can be taken away!

2. Only a victorious faith in God can endure (Mt. 28:19f)

3. The time has passed for us to expect others to do – what God has given YOU to do!! – If you….