Obadiah is the shortest Old Testament book, and was written about five centuries before the coming of Jesus Christ. It reveals God’s anger with Edom, foretells the destruction of Edom, and the coming of God’s kingdom.
Background of Obadiah
The nation Edom were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. Friction between the brothers and their respective nations began from the womb (Genesis 25:22-26). As Esau had little regard for that which ha value (his birthright, Genesis 25:29-34; Hebrews 12:16), so his offspring lacked moral and spiritual focus.
The people of Jacob and the people of Esau were separated when Israel went into Egypt during the days of the famine throughout the land, but came back into contact after the exodus. Israel, as they journeyed toward the promised land expected to have the cooperation of Edom, since they shared a common heritage, but Edom was hostile toward them (Numbers 20:14-21).
Edom were conquered by David in his conquests (2 Samuel 8:14). However, they would successfully revolt years later in the days of Joram (2 Kings 8:20-22), but soon after were made subject to Babylon.
Obadiah tells us that Edom delighted in the calamities of Israel, and even joined their enemies in looting the land (Obadiah 1:11-14). For this reason, they would be judged and destroyed.
Edom’s Sin
The first sin of which Edom is accused is pride. They had deceived themselves, having set themselves as high as the eagle, nested among the stars. Proverbs 16:18-19 sharply warns that pride precedes a fall. So it was for Edom.
Edom exercised violence against Israel (Obadiah 1:10). When Israel was in trouble, carried captive by strangers, not only did Edom not help Israel, but they joined in with the enemies who attacked Israel (Obadiah 1:11). The enemies cast lots for Jerusalem, and looted the goods of the city. Edom stood accused of joining in this practice.
Edom also entered the gates of the city, laying hands on the substance which belonged to Jerusalem (Obadiah 1:13). As an ambulance chaser has no desire to help anyone, but simply to see the calamity of another, so Edom had no interest in helping Israel in the day of their calamity, but rejoiced to gaze upon their trial.
But even further to this, besides looting the land and gazing upon the affliction of Jerusalem, Edom oppressed those who were fugitives, and seemed to attack them through an ambush (Obadiah 1:14).
God’s Judgment on Edom
As we saw in Obadiah 1:3-4, God would bring them down because of their haughty spirit. God would bring utter destruction upon them for their evil deeds (Obadiah 1:5-6). The Lord says that if it were thieves who had come, or grape gatherers, they would take until they had enough, but not all would be gone. However, the Lord would not leave anything! “O, how you will be cut off! Oh, how Esau shall be searched out!” They’d be cut off, that is, put to death (Obadiah 1:10).
The Lord reveals where the troubles against them would come from. It would be the people of their confederacy, with whom they had peace (Obadiah 1:7). Edom ought to have been a friend to Israel, but were not. Now, their own friends would turn on them.
As they did to the people of God, so it would come back upon them (Obadiah 1:15). As they celebrated the defeat of Mount Zion, so would their affliction be celebrate by others (Obadiah 1:16).
Deliverance
Deliverance would be granted, both literally for Judah and spiritually for all who would come to the Lord. The prophet declares,
…on mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. (Obadiah 1:17)
The descendants of Jacob are spoken of as a fire, whereas the house of Esau would be stubble, devoured by the fire, and no survivor remaining (Obadiah 1:18). Their lands would be taken as a possession by others, the mountains going to the South, the lowlands to Philistia. Gilead would be given to Benjamin (Obadiah 1:19).
But in the end, all will belong to the people of God. Those who had been captive will not only be set free, but would possess the cities and lands of their enemies (Obadiah 1:20). In fact, the time would come when a savior would come to Mount Zion, judging the wicked, and the kingdom would be the Lord’s (Obadiah 1:21).
The application of this text is akin to Numbers 24:15-19, as well as Amos 9:11-12 and Acts 15:13-18. In each case, it speaks of God raising up His people, delivering them from the enemies, and establishing them in Zion.
Obadiah reveals two areas wherein we can have confidence in God. He remembers the works of evil men against His people and will exercise His vengeance upon them. He will also reward His own people, providing deliverance and a land; for us, an eternal land – heaven.
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