THE BOOK OF OBADIAH 

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Bible, containing only 291 Hebrew words. The book’s main topic is the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, and the punitive actions of Edom (descendants of Esau) against Judah at that time. In this book, Edom serves both as a reference to the nation of that name, and also to the nations in general. Who was Obadiah? Some Jewish scholars believe it might be the same Obadiah in 1 Kings 18, but none are sure.

The Edomites did not behave as brothers to the people of Judah in their worst hour but rather joined the enemy forces. The major confrontation between the Lord and Edom (and the nations it represents) is in sharp contrast to God’s relation with Judah/Israel, which will enjoy an eventual millennial future that will be consistent with God’s millennial kingdom on earth.

The intense mood of the book is undergirded by a sense of justice. Edom’s sins had to be punished. The Israelites did not punish the Edomites themselves. Instead, they recognized God as the judge of all the nations, and believed He would execute justice on the crimes committed. God is universal in his power. No nation can escape His all seeing eye. God is concerned for the oppressed and will lift them up, restoring what has been taken from them. When reading the prophets we should always try to understand them in their historical (that time), personal (our lives), and prophetic (future) context.

  I. Opening vision and nations arrayed against Edom    1.1

1.1 In the Jewish Bible, the vision of Obadiah, is interpreted as the prophecy of Obadiah as visual elements are not found in the book. Edom is being warned of coming judgment.

II. Public Enemy Number One arraigned    1.2-7

1.2-4 Edom is going to be reduced to least among the nations. They are arrogant and think because they dwell in the clefts of the rock (mountainous country) that God cannot reach them. Meanwhile they exult themselves as if they live in some celestial realm. The Lord tells them they will be pulled down.

1.5-7 Even thieves would only take what they came for if Edom was robbed. In this case they are going to be totally destroyed--thoroughly rifled and ransacked! Even those they thought were allies and friends are going to come against them. The Lord tells Edom they are bereft of understanding.

III. Edom indicted    1.8-14

This section focuses on the actions of Edom (Esau) against his brother on the day of Jerusalem’s destruction. As the section concludes the object of divine wrath shifts from Edom to all nations who come against Judah. This suggests that Edom is a symbol for all the nations.

  A. The Judge’s intention    1.8-9

1.8-9 The wise will vanish from Esau (Edom) and understanding from the mount. Their warriors are going to lose the will to fight and no man shall survive the slaughter. This is the coming judgment.

 B. The case against Edom    1.10-15

1.10-15 For their outrage against their brother Jacob, Edom is going to be disgraced. When Jerusalem was sacked Edom was there helping. They gazed on their brother with glee, they gloated, they jeered, and stole all they could. They even cut down the fleeing refugees. As they did it is now going to be done to them--yea against all nations the day of the Lord is at hand!

Esau was Jacob’s brother and he has turned against him. Now all nations who come against Jacob are going to be judged (v 15). In verse 9 Teman was a grandson of Esau and is a synonym for Edom. The name itself means “south.” Edom was south of Judah. At the end of the age all nations will be judged based upon their actions toward Israel and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The two are inseparable. This is the entire scenario for the end of the age.

V. Edom sentenced    1.15-20

1.15-20 In this section Edom is sentenced for what they have done to Judah. This again includes all the nations. This can also be seen as the nations that today immediately surround Israel. They are mentioned by name. These are the home to Hezbolla, Hamas, and the Palestinian’s today. We can also interpret this section along with Revelation 19.

  A. Judgment    1.15-16

1.15-16 Judgment is pronounced. The same cup that the Israelites drank will now be drunk by Edom. They will be drunken and become as though they never existed. Gone, wiped out!

Israel has already been judged, they have already drank of the cup--now the nations who were used to punish Israel are going to be punished. The text has individual meaning for Edom and end time meaning for the nations--the goat nations.

  B. Vindication    1.17-20

1.17-22 Mount Zion shall see a remnant of survive on its holy mount. The House of Jacob shall be fire, the House of Joseph a flame. The House of Esau will be the straw that is consumed. No survivor will be left of Esau. Then the verses name the areas that all Israel shall repossess from their enemies.

As an end of the age prophesy we see the Lord on Mount Zion with the remnant that have been chastised and survived from the House of Judah along with the House of Israel. No survivor left of Esau is understood as pointing to the world to come--those who were evil like Esau will not survive. Why? Because as it says in various places in Revelation, “they refused to repent.” The areas mentioned are today mostly where the Palestinian’s have control.

VI. The Lord to be King    1.21   

1.21 Saviors will march up Mt. Zion to judge and dominion will be the Lord’s.

At the end of the age God’s people (Judah, Israel, and gentiles who have accepted the Lord) will reign and rule with the Lord who will be the King of the Universe from Jerusalem the Capital of the Universe!

Source: The Jewish Study Bible