A thousand days of war in Ukraine, children bullied at school, hatred handed down from one generation to the next, that is where this sermon starts, along with the question of whether God intends to do anything about it. It looks for an answer in the shortest book of the Old Testament, the prophet Obadiah, who accuses Edom, Israel’s brother nation, of pride and of gloating over another’s downfall. The sermon shows how slowly evil ripens in the human heart and why an unforgiven grudge can destroy whole generations. Listen if you want to know who finally has the last word.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- Edom and Israel were brother nations, descendants of Esau and Jacob. According to Obadiah 1:1-14, how did an old grudge grow into open hostility and joy at a brother's downfall?
- Obadiah says Edom was deceived by the pride of its heart, living high in the rocks and thinking: who can bring me down? What gave the Edomites their sense of security, and how does God respond to it?
- The speaker stressed that hatred matures slowly and quietly, then erupts when the opportunity comes. What voices and messages are shaping the way you see other people today?
- The examples of Germans who listened to Hitler during the week and Ku Klux Klan members who went to church on Sunday show that you can attend services and still nurture contempt. How is that possible, and how can you guard against it?
- Daisy's family story shows how unforgiveness gets passed down from generation to generation. Where in your life do you see a risk that resentment toward someone close will begin to destroy you and others?
- The book ends with the words: the kingdom will be the Lord's. What does submitting to God's rule look like for you this week toward someone you hold a grudge against?
