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OBADIAH

INTRODUCTION

When Judah’s capital city of Jerusalem fell to the Babylonian army in 587/6 BC, those in the neighboring kingdom of Edom joined in looting the city. They intercepted fleeing Judeans and turned them over to the Babylonians to be executed or enslaved. They showed no compassion even though they were related to the Judeans. Edom was descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob, who was the ancestor of the Israelites.

The prophet Obadiah seems to have been among those who remained behind when the Judeans were taken into exile. His oracle first rebukes the Edomites for their ruthless treatment of their helpless neighbours and foretells their destruction. He then assures the people of his community that God would restore their fortunes. He assures Judah that in the end, the kingdom will be the Lord’s.

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Obadiah 1 (ESV)

¹ The vision of Obadiah.

Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom:
We have heard a report from the Lord,
and a messenger has been sent among the nations:
“Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!”…

Edom’s Violence Against Jacob

¹⁰ Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob,
shame shall cover you,
and you shall be cut off forever.
¹¹ On the day that you stood aloof,
on the day that strangers carried off his wealth
and foreigners entered his gates
and cast lots for Jerusalem,
you were like one of them.
¹² But do not gloat over the day of your brother
in the day of his misfortune;
do not rejoice over the people of Judah
in the day of their ruin;
do not boast
in the day of distress.
¹³ Do not enter the gate of my people
in the day of their calamity;
do not gloat over his disaster
in the day of his calamity;
do not loot his wealth
in the day of his calamity.
¹⁴ Do not stand at the crossroads
to cut off his fugitives;
do not hand over his survivors
in the day of distress.

The Day of the Lord Is Near

¹⁵ For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
your deeds shall return on your own head.
¹⁶ For as you have drunk on my holy mountain,
so all the nations shall drink continually;
they shall drink and swallow,
and shall be as though they had never been.
¹⁷ But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape,
and it shall be holy,
and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.
¹⁸ The house of Jacob shall be a fire,
and the house of Joseph a flame,
and the house of Esau stubble;
they shall burn them and consume them,
and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau,
for the Lord has spoken.

The Kingdom of the Lord

¹⁹ Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau,
and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines;
they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria,
and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
²⁰ The exiles of this host of the people of Israel
shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath,
and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad
shall possess the cities of the Negeb.
²¹ Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion
to rule Mount Esau,
and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.

REFLECTION:

• The prophet Obadiah was inspired by God in a vision and declared that the kingdom of Edom would suffer terrible punishment. Edom is a descendant of Esau (cf. Gen. 36:1, 8-9). Its kingdom is located on Mount Seir, south of the Dead Sea. It is a natural stone and rock barrier. The terrain is superior. The capital city of Sepharad (later called Petra) was built on the rock. They used the higher terrain as a fortress, specifically oppressing people in the lower terrain, and at the same time colluded with the two nearby powerful Gentiles, the Philistines and the Arabs, to attack the Judahites. These historical facts are consistent with what is discussed in verses 3-4 and 6. Although they were arrogant and overbearing, they will be beaten by God and diminished.
• Edom treated his brother Jacob badly. Not only did they have no affection, they even add to the trouble. They did not help the Judahites who were invaded by Babylon. Instead, they showed a gloating attitude (10-14). We must not be like Edom, lacking love and are narrow-minded for brothers and sisters in the church. The body of Christ should care for each other and share sorrows and joys.
• Why does God punish all the nations (15)? Because in addition to Edom, there are some countries happy to see the fall of Judah. All races, nations and peoples must be judged according to their attitude towards God’s people. Some countries treat God’s people kindly, while others are hostile to them. God will judge according to each person’s attitude towards others, especially the attitude towards believers (see Revelation 20:12-13), and Jesus has already stated this (see Matthew 25:31-46).
• The people of Edom despised God in their hearts and blatantly opposed Him. God was not pleased with their attitude, so Obadiah proclaimed God’s judgment on Edom (21). The behaviour of the world today is similar to those in Obadiah’s time; arrogance, jealousy, and deceit are everywhere, not knowing when it will disappear. However, although sin seems to be victorious, God still controls everything. When you are fighting against sin, don’t be discouraged. You should know that when everything is over, God is still the Lord of heaven and earth, and your trust in Him will not fail.

PRAYER:

Oh God! You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! One day you will judge all nations and punish sins. Please keep me in living a holy life, behave in a manner commensurate with the gospel, love my brothers and sisters, and be eager to help those in need.

HYMN:

Build My Life – youtu.be/QZW4_8_zCBE