secured by a life of righteousness. He sees that justice between men
is the foundation of society, that men are responsible for their
acts, that punishment will follow failure to measure up to our
responsibility, that worship is an insult to God, unless the worshiper
tries to conform to divine demands.

I. The Condemnation of the Nations. Chs. 1-2.

1. Introduction, 1:1-2.
2. Israel's neighbors shall be punished for their sins. 1:3-2:5.

3. Israel's sins shall he punished, 2:6-16.

II. The Condemnation of Israel, Chs. 3-6.

1. For civil iniquities, Ch. 3.

2. For oppression of the poor and for idolatry, Ch. 4.

3. Repeated announcements of judgment with appeals to return and
do good, Chs. 5-6.

III. Five Visions Concerning Israel, Chs. 7:1-9:10.

1. The locusts, 7:1-3.

2. The fire, 7:4-6.

3. The plumb line (a testing), 7:7-9, a historical interlude (the
conflict with Amaziah), 7:10-17.

4. A basket of summer fruit (iniquity ripe for punishment), Ch. 8.

5. The destruction of the altar (No more services), 9:1-10.

IV. Promised Restoration and Messianic Kingdom, 9;11-15.

For Study mid Discussion, (1) Gather from the book a list of
illustrations, sayings, etc., that are taken from the rustic or
agricultural usages. (2) Make a list of the different nations against
which he prophesies and point out the sin of each and the nature of
the punishment threatened. (3) Make a list of the different
illustrations used to show the greatness and power of God. (4) The sin
of wrong inter-relation of nations. (5) The responsibility of national
enlightenment. (6) Repentance as seen in this book. (7) The book's
evidence of the luxury of the time.

Obadiah.

The Prophet. His name means "servant of the Lord," but we know nothing
of him except what we can gather from his prophecy.

The Time. It was doubtless written after the fall of Jerusalem under
Nebuchadnezzar, 587 B. C. and before the destruction of Edom, five
years later, which would make the date about 585 B. C. This would make
him a contemporary of Jeremiah.

The Occasion of the prophecy is the cruelty of the Edomites in
rejoicing over the fall of Judah.

The Jews. It is said to be a favorite book with the Jews because of
the vengeance which it pronounces upon Edom, their brother. Its chief
importance lies in its predictions of doom upon Edom the descendants
of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob and the type of the