386–89, 433–35; Williamson 1990). Perhaps the important fast of the Ninth of Ab in Jewish tradition has its roots in these exilic fasts. These occasions present the natural setting for the materials gathered in the book of Lamentations as well as for some exilic psalms (Pss 44; 74; 79; 102). Obadiah’s prophecy very well could be a prophetic response to exilic prayers and thus could function in a way similar to the statements made against Edom in Lam 4:21–22 (cf. Wolff 1977). On the basis of similarities