Reading Guide
Obadiah, Joel, Haggai
Obadiah: Divine judgment poems against the nation of Edom
|>> Jacob = Israel
Understanding names: Abraham >> Isaac>|
|>> Esau = Edom
The people of the nation of Edom were descendents of Esau. Edom helped Babylon defeat Judah and harassed the people of Judah who remained there after Jerusalem was destroyed.
The Hebrew words “edom” (red) and “adam” (man) come from the same Hebrew root word.
Vs. 1-14 - Accusations against the leaders of Edom - pride and self-exaltation
V.15 - “The day of the LORD is near for all nations.”
Vs. 16-18 - Judgment of all prideful nations
Vs. 19-21 - The remnant will be restored with the LORD as king
Joel - Israel’s sin led to disaster BUT God’s mercy creates hope AND the past becomes an image of the future.
Probably written during the time of restoration during the Ezra-Nehemiah period.
Phrase to watch: “day of the LORD”
Chapter 1 and Chapter 2:1-11 - Two parallel examples of disaster (judgment) leading to repentance
Chapter 2:18-27 - God’s merciful response: vs. 20-21 defeat of the invaders; vs. 22-26 restoration of the devastated land; v. 27 God will bring his divine presence among his people.
Chapters 2:28-3:21 - 2:28-32 God’s Spirit will fill all his people (Read Acts 2:1-24); 3:1-16 God will confront evil among all the nations; 3:17-21 restoration of all creation: a new Eden.
Haggai - Historical setting - 520 BC - addressing problems that arise during the restoration of Jerusalem after the return from captivity
1:1-15 - Accusation of misplaced priorities - Are your own houses more important than your allegiance to God?
The people responded by beginning to rebuild the temple (Ezra 5:1-2)
2:1-9 - one month later - addressing shattered expectations
The people are disappointed that the temple they are able to rebuild is not as impressive as Solomon’s temple. Haggai’s response: Remember the promise of God’s future kingdom, so keep working in hope for the future.
2:10-19 - two months later - a call to covenant faithfulness
Injustice and apathy = impurity so your work is impure.
Only true repentance and covenant faithfulness will lead to the coming of God’s kingdom and blessing. Unfaithfulness leads to ruin. Obedience leads to blessing.
2:20-23 - that same day - future hope of God’s coming kingdom
The “signet ring” was the official seal of the king. Zerubbabel was a descendant of David and the grandson of Jehoiachin, the last official king of Judah before the exile (1 Chr 3:17-19; Matt 1:12). He was never a king but he is a prototype of the Messiah who would sit on David’s throne.