The Book of Obadiah

Introduction

The Book of Obadiah is the thirty-first book of the Old Testament of the Bible. It is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Obadiah means “servant of the Lord” or “worshiper of Jehovah.” The Book of Obadiah indicates no genealogy, birthplace, or residence. Obadiah 1:1 states, “The vision of  Obadiah.” which was given by the Lord to the prophet named Obadiah. Then, Obadiah delivered his prophecies to the Edomites.

The Book of Obadiah is about the nation of Edom, which was very important to ancient Israel. Edom was a mountainous nation. The descendants of Edomites were of Esau, Jacob’s brother (Genesis 25:19-27:45). They were close relatives of Israel. Though they were close relatives, they were greater enemies to Israel. Obadiah gave God’s message to Edom. The Edomites lived in the southern territory of Judah.

In the Book of Obadiah, the prophet prophesied the destruction of Edom and restoration of Israel. The book begins with the announcement that the destruction is coming to Edom (Obadiah 1:1-9). Then Obadiah gives the reason for their destruction (Obadiah 1:10-14). The book ends with deliverance and restoration of Israel and God’s vengeance upon the gentile nations who harmed God’s people (Obadiah 1:15-21).

Although the Book of Obadiah is easy to read, it is the most forgotten book of the Bible. Obadiah’s message is powerful, and it applies to all people at all times because it contains more applications about the nation of Edom. There are twelve other men named Obadiah that appear in the Old Testament, and the scholars cannot identify any of them with certainty as the author of the book.

When Jerusalem was captured, the Edomites were rejoiced and did not help the Jews. They have gloated over Judah, betrayed them to the enemies, and looted their goods.

Vital Statistics

Author

The author of the Book of Obadiah is the prophet Obadiah (Obadiah 1:1). The author’s background is unknown.

Date Written

As far as the dates are concerned, the scholars’ opinions vary. The date of writing is not easy to determine. To know the date of writing, we need to know the invasions of Jerusalem.

These were the following invasions of Jerusalem by foreigners throughout the Old Testament history:

1. By Shishak, king of Egypt, during the reign of King Rehoboam in 925 B.C. (1 Kings 14:25-26; 2 Chronicles 12)
2. The Edom’s revolt against Judah during the reign of King Jehoram, between 853-841 B.C. (2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chronicles 21:8-20)
3. By Jehoash, king of Israel, during the reign of King Amaziah in 790 B.C. (2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25)
4. The defeat of Judah by the Edomites, during the Reign of King Ahaz, between 743-728 B.C. (2 Chronicles 28:17-18)
5. By Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 24:17-25:21; 2 Chronicles 36:10-21)

Of these 5, the second and the fifth are plausible options. The striking similarities between Obadiah 1:1-9 and Jeremiah 49:7-22 have caused to suggest the idea between Obadiah and Jeremiah are similar.

Although the date of writing is difficult to determine, the sources suggest that the Book of Obadiah was written possibly during the reign of Jehoram.

Purpose of Writing

The Book of Obadiah is about the nation of Edom. It is written to show the condemnation of God against the Edomites for their sins against both Him and Judah. The children of Israel were the descendants of Jacob and the Edomites from his brother Esau. The Edomites showed their cruelty toward Judah.

The Book of Obadiah indicates that when the strangers captured Jerusalem, the Edomites were happy to see Judah’s destruction. Instead of helping them, they let them destroyed and looted what was left behind. The Edomites betrayed Judah in the time of crisis. God has no mercy over the nation of Edom. Edom’s sins deserved God’s judgment because they mistreated Judah.

The purpose of the Book of Obadiah is, therefore, to give God’s people a message of hope and to proclaim God’s vengeance upon the nation of Edom for their pride. From the book, the message is clear that God will certainly, punish people if they mistreat His children. 

To Whom Written

The Book of Obadiah was written to the Edomites, the Jews in Judah, and to God’s people everywhere.

Key Words

1. The day –  Obadiah 11, Obadiah 12, Obadiah 13, Obadiah 14
2. Day of the LORD – Obadiah 15
3. Edom – Obadiah 1, Obadiah 18
4. Esau – Obadiah 6, Obadiah 8, Obadiah 9, Obadiah 18, Obadiah 19, Obadiah 21
5. Jacob – Obadiah 10, Obadiah 17, Obadiah 18
6. Judah – Obadiah 12
7. Heathen – Obadiah 1, Obadiah 2,  Obadiah 15, Obadiah 16
8. Mount Zion – Obadiah 17, Obadiah 21
9. Mount of Esau – Obadiah 8, Obadiah 9,  Obadiah 19, Obadiah 21
10. Jerusalem – Obadiah 11, Obadiah 20

Key People

The Edomites

Key Places

Edom, Jerusalem

Setting

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the firstborn (twin), son of Isaac (Genesis 25:24-26). The struggle and birth of Jacob and Esau are mentioned in Genesis 25. The LORD said unto Rebekah that two nations would emerge from her womb (Genesis 25:23).

Historically, the Edomites had constantly opposed the Jews. Before the conquering of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., the nation of Edom participated in attacks against Judah.

The following were the history of the conflicts between Israel and Edom:

1. The king of Edom refused to let Israel pass through his land, forcing them to travel around his country (Numbers 20:14-21)
2. Saul fought against Edom (1 Samuel 14:47-48)
3. David put armed forces in Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to him (2 Samuel 8:14)
4. The Lord allowed Hadad the Edomite to oppose Solomon (1 Kings 11:14-25)
5. Edom rebelled against Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chronicles 21:8)
6. Invasion of Judah during the reign of King Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:16-17)
7. The Edomites did not help when the city of Jerusalem was invaded by the Babylonian army (Psalm 137:7)

Nevertheless, God instructed Israel to be kind to Edom (Deuteronomy 23:7-8).

Theme

The Edomites were descendants of Esau. They were always bitter enemies of Judah and Israel. The nation of Edom had caused harm to the Jews. Obadiah prophesied the coming destruction of Edom. Edom was very proud of Judah’s downfall.

In the Book of Obadiah, we see that God will “cut off” Edom forever because they were cruel to his brother Jacob (Obadiah 1:10). Instead of helping Israel and Judah when they were in trouble, Edom let them be suffered and looted Jerusalem. They wanted the nation to be destroyed and rejoiced at the afflictions of Israel and Judah.

Therefore, the nation of Edom became God’s enemy because they not help the Jews. So God proclaimed judgment upon Edom. Then, the theme of the Book of Obadiah is the judgment of Edom.

Key Themes

I. Justice

In the Book of Obadiah, the prophet prophesied that God would destroy Edom for not helping Israel and Judah. Because of that, Edom’s land would be given to Judah. God will judge those who hurt His people. He brings true justice if we trust in Him. Therefore, the judgment is certain upon those who curse God’s people.

II. Pride

The Edomites were very proud. God’s judgment was brought upon the nation of Edom for her pride. Any nation that trusts in its power more than in God will be brought low.

III. Restoration

God promised the restoration of Israel. After the fulfillment of the nations’ judgment, the nation of Israel shall possess the territory of Edomites (Obadiah 1:15-21). The Book of Obadiah ends with the promise of God’s kingdom (Obadiah 1:21).

Key Verses

Obadiah 1:4 (KJV)

“Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.”

Obadiah 1:12 (KJV)

“But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.”

Obadiah 1:15 (KJV)

“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.”

Outline of The Book of Obadiah

I. God’s Judgment On Edom – Obadiah 1:1-14

     A. Obadiah’s vision (Obadiah 1:1)

     B. The Edomites were proud of their city; Edom will be brought down (Obadiah 1:2-4)

     C. Edom’s destruction (Obadiah 1:5-7)

     D. Wise men and the mighty men would be destroyed in Edom, and eventually, everyone else was slaughtered (Obadiah 1:8-9)

II. The Reason For Judgment On Edom – Obadiah 1:10-14

     A. Because of cruel behavior toward Jacob (Obadiah 1:10-11)

     B. Because they looted Jerusalem and rejoiced at the misfortunes of Israel and Judah (Obadiah 1:12-14)

III. God’s Vengeance Upon All The Heathen – Obadiah 1:15-16

IV. Restoration Of Israel – Obadiah 1:17-21

     A. Israel’s deliverance and possession of Edom, and surrounding nations (Obadiah 1:17-20)

     B. Judges will rule over Edom from Jerusalem and The Lord’s Kingdom Established (Obadiah 1:21)

Brief Summary

In the Book of Obadiah, the prophet’s message is that the nation of Edom will be destroyed completely. God proclaimed judgment upon Edom for their malicious actions toward His people (Obadiah 1:1). According to Obadiah 1:4, the Edomites were proud of their city. Next, from Obadiah 1:5-9 the prophet prophesied the destruction of Edom. Then, God gave the reason for Edom’s destruction (Obadiah 1:10-14).

Furthermore, from the Book of Obadiah, we see the Edomites had been cruel to God’s people and rejoiced over Judah’s destruction (Obadiah 1:12-14). They refused to help Judah when they were in the time of crisis. They refused to fight for them when they ask for help. Obadiah prophesied that God would soon judge the Edomites for their cruel behavior.

The Book of Obadiah ends with the promise that someday Israel will be fully restored and the Lord’s kingdom will be established, and then the nation of Israel shall possess the territory of Edom (Obadiah 1:17-21).

6 Powerful Life Lessons From The Book Of Obadiah

I. Be humble

Proverbs 16:18 (KJV), “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” The Bible warns that pride is the route to self-destruction (Obadiah 1:3-4). The Edomites thought that they were secure and were proud of their city. But Edom fell. The Book of Obadiah teaches that true security comes from God. The destruction came to the nation of Edom because of its pride. God wants people to be humble before Him.

II. Do not rejoice at others’ misfortunes

Proverbs 24:17-18 (KJV), “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” God is just, people will reap punishment if they sow sin. Consequences of sin will always come (Obadiah 1:10). The Book of Obadiah teaches that we must never be happy about others’ misfortunes (Obadiah 1:11-12).

III.Faithfulness

Edom is an example to all the nations who are hostile to God. God is faithful to protect his people from destruction and restore all things according to His purpose and plan and in His time. People who are faithful to God have hope for a new future.

IV. Submission

The Edomites were constantly harshing the Jews. They even refused them to pass through their land when Israel came out of Egyptian captivity (Numbers 20:14-21). The Edomites were proud of their wealth and taught they can live without God. The “pride of life” comes from the devil (1 John 2:16). The Book of Obadiah teaches us that we should not let pride enter into our life. We must oppose the devil and submit to God.

V. God Stands Up For His People

When the city of Jerusalem was attacked, the Edomites enjoyed the city’s destruction. For this purpose, Edom would suffer! If we follow God, then He is on our side and will stand up for us!

VI. Separation

In the Book of Obadiah, we see that the Edomites will be “cut off forever” from God (Obadiah 1:10) because of their cruel behavior. God promised no mercy to Edom. They will be punished with everlasting destruction. We must not be like the Edomites and should recognize God’s sovereignty and submit to Him.

Conclusion

The Book of Obadiah is small and easy to forget. It can teach us several lessons. There are threefold messages in this book: (1) evil will be punished; (2)  people who are faithful to God have hope for a new future; (3) God’s plan to establish His kingdom.