Introduction to Obadiah

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It tells of Yahweh’s judgment on Judah’s neighbor, Edom. Injustice does not go unrecognized by Yahweh. In the case of Edom, their injustice—tormenting the people of Judah while Judah was invaded by other nations—meant their coming downfall. Obadiah also envisions that Judah itself will be restored. This theme of the coming Day of Yahweh, when God will execute judgment and fulfill His promises, is common among other Prophetic Books—especially Joel and Amos.

Background

The first line of Obadiah identifies the book as the vision of Obadiah, whose name means “servant of Yahweh.” Several people named Obadiah are mentioned in the Old Testament, but it is unclear whether any of them may be identified as the prophet of this text. It also is unclear when the book was written.

The Israelites had a long and checkered history with their neighbors the Edomites, the descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau (see Gen 25:23; 27:41; Num 20:14–21). The events mentioned in Obadiah could have occurred in several different time periods. The invasion of Jerusalem in Obadiah 11, for example, could point to the total destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 bc. This date is supported by the record of the Edomites joining in the looting and committing violence against the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Psa 137:7; Lam 4:21). In addition, the literary style of Obadiah 1–9 is similar to that of Jeremiah 49:7–16, which was written around the fall of Jerusalem. However, it remains possible that Obadiah was written earlier and Jeremiah may have borrowed from Obadiah. The possibility of a ninth-century bc date is based on 2 Kings 8:20–22 and 2 Chronicles 21:8–10, which record Edom’s revolt against Judah during the reign of King Jehoram. Whenever the events of Obadiah took place, the main issue is that the Edomites viewed the suffering of the people of Judah as an opportunity for gain instead of a time for grieving.

Structure

The book of Obadiah begins with a report of judgment against Edom (Obad 1–9). Yahweh will bring about destruction for Edom. The Edomites’ tactical advantage of living in the hard-to-reach mountains will not protect them from Yahweh’s judgment—their place of pride will lead to their downfall. The prophet then turns to the reason for this judgment: Edom gloated over the destruction of Judah and even participated in its downfall (Obad 10–14).

The prophet steps back, in Obadiah 15–21, to speak of the coming Day of Yahweh, on which multiple nations—not just Edom—will be judged. However, the Day of Yahweh is not only about judgment: God will also deliver His people and fulfill His promises to them (Obad 19–21).

Outline

• Judgment against Edom (Obad 1–9)

• Edom’s sins (Obad 10–14)

• Reversal of fates on the Day of Yahweh (Obad 15–21)

Themes

The three main themes of the book of Obadiah include the folly of pride, reaping what you sow, and loving your enemies. Obadiah accuses Edom of being self-aggrandizing: Because Edom is lofty, God pulls it to the ground (Obad 2–3). The Edomites’ arrogance makes them oblivious to the truth that their allies are really their enemies (Obad 7). In addition, those who should be their friends and brothers—their relatives in Judah—have become their enemies.

The Edomites also reap the violence they sowed when they gloated over Jerusalem’s invasion (Obad 10–14). In response to the Edomites’ rejoicing, God will topple Edom and give their land to His people (Obad 19–21). Through Obadiah, Yahweh assures Judah that He will judge Edom for its crimes and that His people will eventually triumph.

Obadiah also shows us how to treat our enemies. At the time Obadiah was written, Judah and Edom were two nations, but they were descended from twin brothers, Jacob and Esau. As nations with such a connection, they should have protected each other like brothers (Obad 12). Obadiah shows us that we can trust God to bring justice and right our wrongs—even when people as close to us as relatives turn into enemies and encroach upon us. In its cries against Edom, Obadiah also shows us that we should love and forgive all, regardless of racial, ethnic, or religious boundaries. Obadiah demonstrates that we can rest in God at all times—knowing that He will enact justice, in His way and His time.

Further Reading

The Minor Prophets

Obadiah, Book of CLBD

Obadiah the Prophet CLBD