Obadiah 1: A Prophecy Against Pride and a Promise of Restoration
The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
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.
If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?
How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.
Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.
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.
Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;
Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.
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.
For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord hath spoken it.
And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.
The book of Obadiah, though the shortest in the Old Testament, packs a powerful punch. In just 21 verses, it delivers a stern warning of judgment against Edom, an ancient enemy of Israel, while also offering a glimpse of hope for God's people in the end times. Obadiah 1 serves as a reminder that no nation, no matter how powerful, can defy God without facing consequences, and that God's ultimate plan involves the restoration and reign of His people. The name "Obadiah" itself, meaning "worshiper of Yahweh," sets the tone for a book centered on God's sovereignty and justice.
Context: A Vision of Judgment Against Edom
Obadiah introduces his message as a "vision," aligning it with the prophetic traditions of Nahum, Isaiah, and Micah (Obadiah 1:1). This vision specifically targets Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother (Genesis 25:19-26). The relationship between Jacob and Esau was fraught with tension, and this animosity carried over to their descendants. Edom, located southeast of the Dead Sea in the mountains of Seir, had a long history of hostility towards Israel, blocking their Exodus from Egypt (Numbers 20:17–21) and engaging in frequent conflicts (2 Samuel 8:14; 2 Kings 8:20–22).
Edom's strategic location along major trade routes, combined with its mountainous terrain rich in mineral resources, contributed to its wealth and military strength. However, this success fostered arrogance and pride within the nation, leading to treachery and violence. Obadiah's prophecy likely took place around 586 BC, a particularly dark time for Israel when the Babylonian empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. Instead of offering assistance to their "brother" nation, the Edomites seized the opportunity to exploit Israel's vulnerability, aiding the Babylonians in capturing fugitives and looting Jerusalem. This betrayal forms the core of Obadiah's accusations.
God's Judgment on Edom (Obadiah 1:2-9)
Obadiah 1:2-4 highlights God's intention to humble Edom. Despite their perceived strength and security, God declares He will make them insignificant. Their arrogance, born from their fortified mountain strongholds, deceived them into believing they were untouchable. Like an eagle soaring high, they boasted, "Who can bring me down to the ground?" (Obadiah 1:4). But God's judgment would bring them crashing down. Pride, the very sin that led to Satan's rebellion (Ezekiel 28:17), was Edom's downfall.
The prophet foretells a complete and thorough plundering of Edom in Obadiah 1:5-7. Unlike typical thieves who steal selectively, Edom would be stripped bare, with all its hidden treasures exposed and taken. Even Edom's allies, bound by treaties, would betray and conquer them, highlighting the fragility of alliances built on anything other than trust in God.
Obadiah 1:8-9 emphasizes the futility of Edom's wisdom and might. Even the wisest counselors and the mightiest warriors of Teman, a prominent region in Edom, would be unable to avert the coming destruction. The swiftness and completeness of the judgment leave no room for repentance or appeal. God, the just Judge of all nations, has rendered His verdict.
Edom's Sins Against Judah (Obadiah 1:10-14)
The root cause of God's outrage against Edom is revealed in Obadiah 1:10: "Because of violence done to your brother Jacob." The familial connection between Edom and Israel, as descendants of Esau and Jacob, makes their hostility all the more egregious. While there had been a history of conflict between the two nations, Edom's actions during Judah's fall to Babylon were particularly reprehensible.
Obadiah 1:11-14 details Edom's callous indifference and active participation in Judah's suffering. They stood by idly while Jerusalem was captured, failing to offer any help or compassion. Instead, they rejoiced at Judah's calamity, gloating and mocking their distress. They even took advantage of the situation by looting and capturing Jewish refugees, handing them over to their enemies. This betrayal of their brother nation sealed Edom's fate. They had an opportunity to bless Israel and be blessed by God (Genesis 12:3), but they chose the path of cruelty and reaped the consequences.
The Day of the Lord and Edom's Ultimate Fate (Obadiah 1:15-21)
Obadiah 1:15 introduces the concept of "the day of the Lord," a recurring theme in prophetic literature referring to a time of God's judgment on the wicked. Edom, having rejected the opportunity to bless God's people, would now experience the terror of this day. The principle of "as you have done, it will be done to you" underscores the just reciprocity of God's judgment. Edom would receive precisely what they had dealt to others.
Obadiah 1:16 uses the imagery of drinking to depict God's judgment. The Edomites, who may have celebrated Judah's downfall on God's "holy mountain" in Jerusalem, would now drink the cup of God's wrath continually (see also Job 21:20; Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 49:12-13; Revelation 14:10).
In contrast to Edom's destruction, Obadiah 1:17-18 promises deliverance and restoration for God's people. Jacob, representing Israel, will be like a blazing fire, consuming the house of Esau, which will be like stubble. This vivid imagery emphasizes the complete and utter destruction of Edom, with no survivors remaining.
Obadiah 1:19-21 looks forward to a future when the Israelites will possess the land of Edom, extending their territory and influence. Ultimately, Obadiah 1:21 declares that "the kingdom will be the Lord's," signifying God's sovereign rule over all nations and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. This points to a future where God's people will reign with Him, and His justice will prevail.
Obadiah's prophecy against Edom serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of pride, the importance of compassion, and the certainty of God's judgment. It also offers a message of hope for God's people, promising restoration and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom. While Edom faded into obscurity, their fate serves as a warning to all who oppose God's purposes. Embrace your place in the King’s plan and align yourself with His agenda.
The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
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.
If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?
How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.
Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.
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.
Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;
Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.
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.
For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord hath spoken it.
And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.
The book of Obadiah, though the shortest in the Old Testament, packs a powerful punch. In just 21 verses, it delivers a stern warning of judgment against Edom, an ancient enemy of Israel, while also offering a glimpse of hope for God's people in the end times. Obadiah 1 serves as a reminder that no nation, no matter how powerful, can defy God without facing consequences, and that God's ultimate plan involves the restoration and reign of His people. The name "Obadiah" itself, meaning "worshiper of Yahweh," sets the tone for a book centered on God's sovereignty and justice.
Context: A Vision of Judgment Against Edom
Obadiah introduces his message as a "vision," aligning it with the prophetic traditions of Nahum, Isaiah, and Micah (Obadiah 1:1). This vision specifically targets Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother (Genesis 25:19-26). The relationship between Jacob and Esau was fraught with tension, and this animosity carried over to their descendants. Edom, located southeast of the Dead Sea in the mountains of Seir, had a long history of hostility towards Israel, blocking their Exodus from Egypt (Numbers 20:17–21) and engaging in frequent conflicts (2 Samuel 8:14; 2 Kings 8:20–22).
Edom's strategic location along major trade routes, combined with its mountainous terrain rich in mineral resources, contributed to its wealth and military strength. However, this success fostered arrogance and pride within the nation, leading to treachery and violence. Obadiah's prophecy likely took place around 586 BC, a particularly dark time for Israel when the Babylonian empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. Instead of offering assistance to their "brother" nation, the Edomites seized the opportunity to exploit Israel's vulnerability, aiding the Babylonians in capturing fugitives and looting Jerusalem. This betrayal forms the core of Obadiah's accusations.
God's Judgment on Edom (Obadiah 1:2-9)
Obadiah 1:2-4 highlights God's intention to humble Edom. Despite their perceived strength and security, God declares He will make them insignificant. Their arrogance, born from their fortified mountain strongholds, deceived them into believing they were untouchable. Like an eagle soaring high, they boasted, "Who can bring me down to the ground?" (Obadiah 1:4). But God's judgment would bring them crashing down. Pride, the very sin that led to Satan's rebellion (Ezekiel 28:17), was Edom's downfall.
The prophet foretells a complete and thorough plundering of Edom in Obadiah 1:5-7. Unlike typical thieves who steal selectively, Edom would be stripped bare, with all its hidden treasures exposed and taken. Even Edom's allies, bound by treaties, would betray and conquer them, highlighting the fragility of alliances built on anything other than trust in God.
Obadiah 1:8-9 emphasizes the futility of Edom's wisdom and might. Even the wisest counselors and the mightiest warriors of Teman, a prominent region in Edom, would be unable to avert the coming destruction. The swiftness and completeness of the judgment leave no room for repentance or appeal. God, the just Judge of all nations, has rendered His verdict.
Edom's Sins Against Judah (Obadiah 1:10-14)
The root cause of God's outrage against Edom is revealed in Obadiah 1:10: "Because of violence done to your brother Jacob." The familial connection between Edom and Israel, as descendants of Esau and Jacob, makes their hostility all the more egregious. While there had been a history of conflict between the two nations, Edom's actions during Judah's fall to Babylon were particularly reprehensible.
Obadiah 1:11-14 details Edom's callous indifference and active participation in Judah's suffering. They stood by idly while Jerusalem was captured, failing to offer any help or compassion. Instead, they rejoiced at Judah's calamity, gloating and mocking their distress. They even took advantage of the situation by looting and capturing Jewish refugees, handing them over to their enemies. This betrayal of their brother nation sealed Edom's fate. They had an opportunity to bless Israel and be blessed by God (Genesis 12:3), but they chose the path of cruelty and reaped the consequences.
The Day of the Lord and Edom's Ultimate Fate (Obadiah 1:15-21)
Obadiah 1:15 introduces the concept of "the day of the Lord," a recurring theme in prophetic literature referring to a time of God's judgment on the wicked. Edom, having rejected the opportunity to bless God's people, would now experience the terror of this day. The principle of "as you have done, it will be done to you" underscores the just reciprocity of God's judgment. Edom would receive precisely what they had dealt to others.
Obadiah 1:16 uses the imagery of drinking to depict God's judgment. The Edomites, who may have celebrated Judah's downfall on God's "holy mountain" in Jerusalem, would now drink the cup of God's wrath continually (see also Job 21:20; Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 49:12-13; Revelation 14:10).
In contrast to Edom's destruction, Obadiah 1:17-18 promises deliverance and restoration for God's people. Jacob, representing Israel, will be like a blazing fire, consuming the house of Esau, which will be like stubble. This vivid imagery emphasizes the complete and utter destruction of Edom, with no survivors remaining.
Obadiah 1:19-21 looks forward to a future when the Israelites will possess the land of Edom, extending their territory and influence. Ultimately, Obadiah 1:21 declares that "the kingdom will be the Lord's," signifying God's sovereign rule over all nations and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. This points to a future where God's people will reign with Him, and His justice will prevail.
Obadiah's prophecy against Edom serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of pride, the importance of compassion, and the certainty of God's judgment. It also offers a message of hope for God's people, promising restoration and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom. While Edom faded into obscurity, their fate serves as a warning to all who oppose God's purposes. Embrace your place in the King’s plan and align yourself with His agenda.