JUN 6

Obadiah 1-21
Memorise Lamentations 3:22
“…for the Lord will not cast off for ever.”

Reducing a book to an outline is important because it allows us to have, in a way, a more simplified view of the book. In so doing, we are able to understand the book more easily because we can now relate parts of it to other parts more clearly. Without an outline, we may not be able to understand how the part we are reading fits into the rest of the book, thus missing out on the meaning intended by the author. The process of reducing Obadiah into an outline can be done first of all by reading it through several times. After this, try to identify the common meaning or purpose within adjacent verses. Group these related verses into sections. Each of these sections can be given a title that forms the first level of the outline. Within each section, read the verses more closely and see if they can be further broken down to form sub-sections. Continue this process until you have completed breaking down the entire book.

Obadiah can be reduced into the following outline:
1. Judgment of Edom is declared. (v1-2)
2. Pride of the Edomites (v3-9)
3. Sins of the Edmoites (v10-14)
4. Judgment on the Edomites (v15-16)
5. Restoration of Zion (v17-21)

By studying the outline, we can see how the Holy Spirit organizes the book. The book is written to comfort the Israelites who were in exile. The book starts off with comfort, by declaring that their enemy, Edom, will be judged. Further comfort can be derived from the naming of the sins of Edom one by one, showing that God was not blind to their sins. The book ends with promise of restoration, and Israel will be given a part in the destruction of their enemy. Truly, we are reminded of Lam 3:32. We have a merciful God who will never give up on us.

Thought: God’s Word always has an order and a logical sequence. Every chapter, every verse, every word, was written exactly as how God intended it to be.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the grace, wisdom and diligence to be able to outline passages correctly.