Book of Obadiah – Oba 1:9 Mount of Esau is Cut Off

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Obadiah 1:9 Mount of Esau is Cut Off

[Study Aired January 31, 2024]

Obadiah 1:9  And broken down have been thy mighty ones, O Teman, So that every one of the mount of Esau is cut off. (YLT)

Oba 1:9  And thy mightyH1368 men, O Teman,H8487 shall be dismayed,H2865 (H8804 Qal) to the end thatH4616 every oneH376 of the mountH4480 H2022 of EsauH6215 may be cut offH3772 (H8735 Niphal) 

H1368 – Ghibbor, strong, mighty, strong man, brave man, mighty man, from a primitive root H1396, Gabar, to prevail, have strength, be strong, be powerful, be mighty, be great, make strong, strengthen, confirm, give strength, confirm, show oneself mighty, act proudly (toward God)

H8487 – Teyman, Teman = south, from H8486, Teyman, south, southward, whatever is on the right (so the southern quarter), south wind, toward the south, denominative from H3225, Yamiyn, right, right hand, right side, south (the direction of the right hand when facing East), from a primitive root H3231, Yaman, to choose the right, go to the right, use the right hand, be right handed

H2865 – Khathath, (Qal) to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, a primitive root

H4616 – Mahan, purpose, intent, for the sake of, in view of, on account of, for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to, to the end that, from a primitive root 

H6030 Anah, to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout, respond to, respond as a witness, make answer, be answered, receive, sing, utter tunefully, dwell

H376 – Eesh, man, male, husband, human being, person, servant, mankind, champion, great man, whosoever, each, contracted for H582, Enoshe, man, mortal man, person, mankind, of an individual, men, from a primitive root H605, Anash, to be weak, sick, frail, be incurable, desperate, incurable, desperately wicked, woeful, very sick

H4480 – Min, from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than, some of, after (of time), from…even to, both…and, either…or, too much for, through, because, from H4482, Mane, musical chord, a stringed instrument from an unused root to apportion

H2022 – Har, hill, mountain, hill country, mount, a shortened form of H2042, Harar, mountain, hill, hill country, mount, from an unused root meaning to loom up

H6215 – Esav, hairy, apparently a form of a primitive root H6213, Asah, to do, fashion, accomplish, make, work, produce, to deal with, act, act with effect, effect, prepare, attend to, put in order, observe, celebrate, acquire, appoint, ordain, institute, bring about, use, spend, pass, be done, be made, be produced, be offered, be observed, be used, be made, to press, squeeze

H3772 – Karath, (Niphal) to be cut off/down, be chewed, fail, a primitive root

Here is Obadiah 1:9 with the root words included:

The mighty ones (those who act proudly toward God) of Teman (South facing/the right hand) (is being) shattered (and shall) for the purpose of being a witness to mankind (the desperately wicked). So that the mountain (looming up) of Esau shall be cut down. 

Teman is the name of a district and town in the land of Edom, named after Teman, the grandson of Esau, the son of his firstborn, Eliphaz. A duke Teman is named among the chiefs or clans of Edom. Teman H8487 tay-mawn’ means the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east). The south denotes man’s right hand (man’s power). Figuratively, the right hand denotes “power” and “authority”:

Act 2:32  ‘This Jesus did God raise up, of which we are all witnesses;
Act 2:33  at the right hand then of God having been exalted—also the promise of the Holy Spirit having received from the Father—he was shedding forth this, which now ye see and hear;
Act 2:34  for David did not go up to the heavens, and he saith himself: The Lord saith to my lord, Sit thou at my right hand,
Act 2:35  till I make thy foes thy footstool

The proud heart in all of us is being brought down as we are humbled by Christ. Christ’s bright eyes shine in us and filtrate/purify us because we are a living sacrifice upon which He has chosen to transform into pillars in His temple. Unlike James and John arguing about who will sit at Christ’s left or right hand, we as the elect know it is simply an honour to be called, chosen, and remain faithful to be considered worthy to be grafted into the body of Christ as ministers and servants. The body does not tell the head where it will sit, on the right or the left, instead, the body is submissive to its head in all things. The body follows the head just as the body of Christ follows the mind of Christ in all things. Where Christ goes, we go:

Eze 1:20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Eze 1:21  When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels

Contrary to this spirit of submission was the spirit of James and John:

Mrk 10:35  And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
Mrk 10:36  And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
Mrk 10:37  They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Mrk 10:38  But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
Mrk 10:39  And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
Mrk 10:40  But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
Mrk 10:41  And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
Mrk 10:42  But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
Mrk 10:43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mrk 10:44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mrk 10:45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

James and John were eager to make their requests known to Christ, but in doing so were making the sacrifice of fools

Ecc 5:1  Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Ecc 5:2  Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Ecc 5:3  For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

James and John were used as an example to remind us how important it is to “keep our foot” when entering the house of God. The mighty ones of Teman and Edom placed their identity and worth in their pride. Their heart was hasty:

Oba 1:3  The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Job’s words were not few, nor did he keep his foot when offering his sacrifice of fools.

Job 10:1  My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
Job 10:2  I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
Job 10:3  Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
Job 10:4  Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?
Job 10:5  Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man’s days,
Job 10:6  That thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin?
Job 10:7  Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand

Job 23:3  Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
Job 23:4  I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
Job 23:5  I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

Here is God’s response to Job’s sacrifice of a fool, labelling it as Job speaking by words without knowledge:

Job 38:1  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Job 38:2  Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge.

Job 40:1  Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
Job 40:2  Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Job Promises Silence

Job 40:3  Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
Job 40:4  Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth

Ultimately, God the Father and Christ are sovereign in this cleansing process of purification we are all going through. How are we purified? By the words of the Son. The sovereignty of God has ordained that in “these last days” He speaks to us in His Son, Jesus Christ:

Heb 1:1  In many parts, and many ways, God of old having spoken to the fathers in the prophets,
Heb 1:2  in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He did make the ages;
Heb 1:3  who being the brightness (G541) of the glory, and the impress of His subsistence, bearing up also the all things by the saying of his might—through himself having made a cleansing of our sins, sat down at the right hand of the greatness in the highest.

Brightness is from G541 ap-ow’-gas-mah meaning an off flash or effulgence. Effulgence means the ability to shine brightly. The brightness of Christ occurs in that he perfectly reflects the majesty of God. It is this brightness of His coming that will be how the wicked in us is revealed (illuminated):

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked (the old man) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

How is the old man consumed with the spirit of His mouth? The spirit of His mouth is the flames of fire of His Word:

Rev 19:11  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God

We are the apple of His eye, and even though we will suffer loss in this battle as we are burned, he that remains (overcomes) shall be saved.

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire

Psa 17:8  Keep me as the apple, the daughter of the eye; In shadow of Thy wings thou dost hide me.
Psa 17:9  From the face of the wicked who spoiled me. Mine enemies in soul go round against me.
Psa 17:10  Their fat they have closed up, Their mouths have spoken with pride:
Psa 17:11  ‘Our steps now have compassed him;’ Their eyes they set to turn aside in the land.
Psa 17:12  His likeness as a lion desirous to tear, As a young lion dwelling in secret places.
Psa 17:13  Arise, O Jehovah, go before his face, Cause him to bend. Deliver my soul from the wicked, Thy sword.

Being delivered in this battle is Christ saving us. We can only be truly humble if we are given eyes to see that it is Christ in us that is the New Man and He has dragged us to Himself so that we cannot take any credit for our salvation. This is true humility. Without it, without Christ, our humility is false, and we remain the high and lofty mountain of Esau.

Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

In verse 9 of Obadiah this message is reinforced: “every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off.” The word used for ‘cut off’ is H3772 kaw-rath’ meaning to cut, destroy, consume and to be chewed. It is first used after the flood of Noah

Gen 9:11  And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off (consumed) any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
Gen 9:12  And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
Gen 9:13  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Physical water is no longer, and never again will be, used to consume all flesh. Instead, spiritually speaking, it is spiritual fire that is used to chew/consume all flesh (the proud heart and wise men of Edom in us). It is with Christ’s fire that he consumes all flesh.

Deu 4:24  For the LORD thy God is a consuming fireeven a jealous God.

Deu 9:3  Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

This passage in 2 Thessalonians describes what Christ is consuming:

2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

It is this process that saves us. Christ has overcome the world, Christ has brought down Teman and Edom, making Him our one and only true saviour:

Joh 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Conclusion and Spiritual Principle: Those with eyes to see and ears to hear will understand that the Word of God is a book that we are to keep and experience because the Word of God is alive and is how God the father “speak(s) to us in a Son.”

Heb 1:2  in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He did make the ages;

The day of Christ is “at hand.”

2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand

Christ is at hand and as He increases in us, and our old man decreases, we begin to speak by words with wisdom, not as Job who spoke by words without knowledge offering sacrifices of a fool.

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