The Book of Obadiah is a prophetic book that is written about the Day of Return. The prophet, who lived in the time of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, foretold the coming destruction of Jerusalem by Babylonian enemies who would capture and destroy it. He also said that the land would be desolate for seventy years. The prophet Obadiah, who was the nephew of King Jehoiakim and son-in-law of Jeremiah, predicted that a new leader would rise up out of Edom to save Israel from total destruction:
Obadiah is a fascinating text. It gives us a rare window into biblical fulfillment, the way God’s Word applies to our lives today. In this series we will explore how the book of Obadiah applies to our lives today and gives us exciting insights into what the Lord is doing in our lives!
Summary Of The Book Of Obadiah Chapter By Chapter
Because they are difficult to interpret, the prophetic books of the Bible are often overlooked. Their messages of impending judgment seem unrelated to our twenty-first century lives. But if we take time to ponder and meditate on them, we will deepen our knowledge of God and His character.
Obadiah wrote one of the shortest books in the Bible, just twenty-one verses. His message centers on the coming judgment of the nation of Edom.
Who Was Obadiah?
Obadiah doesn’t tell us anything about himself, and Bible scholars don’t agree on when the message was given. The only clue Obadiah gives is that at that time, Israel was suffering greatly at the hands of its enemies. God’s judgment comes against Edom because instead of helping their brother, they participated in the offenses against God’s people.
Genesis 25-27 lays the foundation for the strife between these two nations. Twin brothers were born to Isaac and Rebekah, but while they were still in her womb, God told Rebekah that the older brother (Esau) would serve the younger one (Jacob). As the boys grew up, their parents unwisely played favorites. Esau became his father’s pride and joy, and Jacob found favor in his mother’s tents – a childhood experience that undoubtedly resulted in jealousy and competition.
As a young man, Esau despised his birthright as the firstborn son and sold it to his brother for a bowl of porridge. Even more surprising, Rebekah did not trust God to accomplish His purposes, choosing to interfere by deceiving her husband and scheming so that Jacob also received the blessing of the firstborn son. This event was the last straw for Esau. He threatened to kill his brother as soon as their father died, so Jacob left his home. It would be years before he saw Esau again (Genesis 33).
With the passing of time, Esau’s anger abated, and Jacob grew in humility. They reconciled personally, but the strife between them would filter down through the generations as the nations of Edom and Israel emerged. Despite the fact they were blood relatives, a deep-seated enmity for Israel lay in the hearts of the people of Edom.
God speaks to the nation of Edom through his prophet, Obadiah, to warn them of their impending judgment. Instead of showing compassion at Israel’s calamities, they showed cruelty. They touched the apple of God’s eye, His chosen people, and they would suffer greatly for it.
While Obadiah’s words are written to a specific people at a specific time in history, it is filled with wisdom for us. Here are five lessons that have relevant application as we read Obadiah in context with the rest of God’s inspired Word.
Lessons from the Book of Obadiah
- God Has the Right and Authority to Choose Whomever He Wills, for Whatever Purpose He Wills
Obadiah 1:1-2,18 – “The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom – We have heard a report from the Lord, and an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, ‘Arise and let us go against her for battle – behold, I will make you small among the nations; you are greatly despised.’ … ‘Then the house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame; but the house of Esau will be as stubble. They will set them on fire and consume them, so that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau,’ for the Lord has spoken.”
It was God’s sovereign choice to bring about a nation through Jacob; his descendant would be Jesus, the promised Messiah. At the heart of it, Edom’s issues of jealousy and hatred toward Israel were rooted in their unwillingness to accept that choice. Obadiah condemns Edom for their arrogance. One can only surmise that a bitter spirit of jealousy toward Israel was passed down, father to son, mother to daughter. We don’t know how the bitterness grew, but we can clearly see the results.
The reality is, God has the right to choose. Paul used Esau and Jacob to illustrate this truth as he cautioned the Gentile believers in Rome to avoid a prideful attitude towards the unbelieving Jews (Romans 9). It is only by God’s mercy that He chooses any of us, and God can never be accused of injustice. He is the potter; we are simply the clay in His hands. We are foolish to think we can give advice to the Creator or criticize His decisions.
5 Powerful Lessons from the Little Book of Obadiah
- God Hates Pride Because It Always Deceives Us and Leads Us Astray
Obadiah 1:3 – “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?’”
The Hebrew word translated as deceived [nāšā’] means to beguile, to lead astray, to mentally delude or morally seduce. Proverbs 16:18 warns that “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” God hates pride (Proverbs 8:13). It is the original sin that caused Lucifer to fall from serving in the presence of God (Isaiah 14:12-14; Luke 10:18) and is at the root of unregenerate man’s refusal to worship God.
Edom made a critical mistake. They challenged God to a power struggle. Pride deceived their hearts just as it will always deceive us. How much better would it have been for Edom to lay down their pride and humbly accept God’s choice of Israel. Instead of judgment, they would have benefitted from the blessings of God as supporters of His people, just as God promised Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3.
- God’s Righteous Judgment Will Always Overcome Any Reliance on Physical Strength or Mental Craftiness
Obadiah 1:4-9 – “’If thieves came to you, if robbers by night — O how you will be ruined! – Would they not steal only until they had enough? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? O how Esau will be ransacked, and his hidden treasures searched out! All the men allied with you will send you forth to the border and the men at peace with you will deceive you and overpower you. They who eat your bread will set an ambush for you.’ (There is no understanding in him.) ‘Will I not on that day,’ declares the Lord, ‘destroy wise men from Edom and understanding from the mountain of Esau? Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, so that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.’”
Edom mistakenly thought they had the upper hand in battle by their strategic location. Likely they had enjoyed victory over other armies, but they forgot that God was not like any other enemy they had faced. God reminds them that His judgment will be complete and that no human wisdom will be able to rescue them. In fact, Obadiah warns that God plans to use Edom’s allies to carry out His sovereign judgment.
We are foolish to try to outsmart God, and when we attempt it, we expose our wrong perspective and understanding of who God is. God speaks through the psalmist to remind us that His silence when we sin is not a sign of weakness or inability: “These things you have done and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes. Now consider this you who forget God, or I will tear in you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver” (Psalm 50:21-22).
Aren’t we grateful for God’s mercy and patience which gives us time for repentance (Romans 2:4)? Unfortunately, Edom would not rely on God’s mercy, but would go headlong into destruction; their strategies and prideful schemes would fail.
- God Is Jealous for His Children, and He Will Protect Them
Obadiah 1:10-11 – “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame, and you will be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth, and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem – you too were as one of them.”
Zechariah revealed God’s love and possessiveness for the children of Israel when he called them “the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8). God promised Abraham that those who blessed him would be blessed, and that those who cursed him would be cursed. God set His favor on the nation of Israel; they are the chosen people still and will one day recognize their Messiah (Romans 11:25-29). Just as God chose the individual Jacob, He has likewise chosen the nation of Israel, and all who come against her will suffer the wrath of God.
God’s care for His people has dual implications for New Testament believers. First, we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, support the nation of Israel, and work for the salvation of the Jews. Second, as Gentile “children of the promise” who have been grafted into God’s family (Romans 4:16; 11:17-19). We also are under the protective care of our Heavenly Father. We are secure in Christ; no one is able to snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28-29). He protects His spiritual children, just as He does for the nation of Israel.
5 Powerful Lessons from the Little Book of Obadiah
1. The Importance of Justice
One of the key lessons from the Little Book of Obadiah is the importance of justice. The book highlights how God will ultimately bring justice to those who oppress others. It serves as a reminder that God is a God of justice and will not let injustice go unpunished.
2. The Consequences of Pride
Another powerful lesson from Obadiah is the consequences of pride. The book speaks of the downfall of Edom due to their pride and arrogance. It serves as a warning to individuals and nations about the dangers of pride and the importance of humility.
3. The Promises of God
Obadiah also contains promises of God’s restoration and redemption. Despite the judgment on Edom, there is hope for those who turn to God. This serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His promises to His people.
4. The Call to Compassion
The Little Book of Obadiah also highlights the call to compassion. As God’s people, we are called to show compassion and mercy to others, even our enemies. This serves as a reminder of the importance of loving our neighbors and treating others with kindness.
5. The Sovereignty of God
Lastly, Obadiah reminds us of the sovereignty of God. Despite the actions of nations and individuals, God is ultimately in control. This serves as a comfort and reassurance that God’s plans will ultimately prevail, and His purposes will be fulfilled.
Why Should Christians Read Obadiah
God Holds Us Accountable When We Gloat over Our Enemies
Obadiah 1:12-16 – “Do not gloat over your brother’s day, the day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah in the day of their destruction; yes, do not boast in the day of their distress. Do not enter the gates of My people in the day of their disaster. Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity in the day of their disaster. And do not loot their wealth in the day of their disaster. Do not stand at the fork of the road to cut down their fugitives; and do not imprison their survivors in the day of their distress. For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head. Because just as you drank on My holy mountain all the nations will drink continually. They will drink and swallow and become as if they had never existed.”
Edom failed to heed the wisdom provided by the writer of Proverbs 24:17-18: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him.” As a result, God turned their desire to see Israel suffer back on their own head.
God declares that vengeance belongs to Him (Deuteronomy 32:35), and this principle is repeated in the New Testament. Paul tells us to leave room for the wrath of God, and choose to live at peace with others, as far as it depends on us. Instead of wrath, we are to give our enemies what they need (Romans 12:18-20). Jesus Himself taught us to treat others as we would like to be treated (Luke 6:31), to pray for and love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
The motivation to obey God’s commands and leave vengeance in His hands is strengthened by the knowledge that we will receive back what we give to others. If we fail to forgive, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15). If we show no mercy to others, our judgment will be merciless (James 2:13). If we are generous in giving, we will receive a blessing, as by our standard of measure it will be measured to us in return (Luke 6:38). Paul says it most clearly: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
Obadiah’s little book warns us against pride, revenge, and bitterness, and reminds us that we serve a powerful, sovereign God who loves and protects His children. May we be wise hearers and live accordingly.
What Is the Message of The Book of Obadiah
Like many of the minor prophets, Obadiah gets overshadowed by the more popular works of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. This is partly due to a lack of knowledge about Obadiah himself. It is certain that this Obadiah is not the same person who was a contemporary of Elijah, as seen in 1 Kings 18. Scholarship dates the book of Obadiah to shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem, well past Elijah’s day. Beyond this, nothing is known about this enigmatic prophet.
Adding to Obadiah’s obscurity is the fact that it is the shortest book of the Old Testament. Tucked between Amos and Jonah, it is easily missed. Yet this small, compact, prophesy deserves to be known. Obadiah’s vision speaks profoundly to many issues facing Christian people today. His words are provocatively contemporary. Here are 3 important lessons Obadiah teaches.
Obadiah Teaches the Folly of Pride
Obadiah speaks against the Edomites, who were continually at odds with Israel. What began as a sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau continues between the nations they establish. During their journey to the Promised Land, for example, the Edomites refused to allow Israel passage through their territory. Edom even threatened to attack Israel lest they get too close to their border (Numbers 20:20). Israel is made to take an alternative route which immediately finds them attacked by the Canaanite king of Arad. The hostility between these two nations grows from then on. Saul, David, and Solomon, all lead military campaigns against the Edomites.
Obadiah prophesies against Edom after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC. In response to Israel’s destruction, Edom adopts an attitude of self-righteousness. Israel had fallen and Edom remained. As Edom saw it, this meant that God favored Edom over Israel Thus, they puff themselves up with pride, believing themselves to be the favored of God. Obadiah rebukes Edom for this spiritual pride, crying, “Your proud heart has deceived you, you that live in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is in the heights…from there I will bring you down, says the Lord” (3-4). Obadiah declares the certainty of divine judgment.
Edom’s pride makes them believe that they are without reproach, without fault. They see themselves as vindicated before God. Because of this pride, they are unwilling to notice how, they too, have stepped away from God’s divine plan. Obadiah’s prophecy calls Edom to recognize their own spiritual need. Obadiah cries out “As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head” (1:15). God cannot deny God’s own holiness. In choosing the way of pride, Edom will eventually experience the consequences of that decision.
Pride masks sin. Pride makes us unable to see the way of the Lord. We turn our gaze inward, self-assured and self-focused. When we live this way, we live as if the world revolves around us, to serve our wishes and whims. This displaces the Lord as our source of life and satisfaction. It is idolatry of the self. Pride will always produce dire consequences for us. As Proverbs states, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). In the end, pride destroys our spiritual lives.
This is particularly relevant given the propensity to “cancel” those we disagree with. Cancel culture is rooted in pride, for it is based on the arrogant assumption that our way is the divine way. It is an exaltation of the self.
At times, Christians can be on the receiving end of cancel culture. We may be ridiculed or rebuked for our faith. Obadiah’s words offer us hope. When we feel the hurtful barbs of others, we need not retaliate against them, nor fight harm for harm. Obadiah reminds us that God is aware when others mock or rebuke us for our faith. In fact, Jesus comments that this is to be expected. Jesus is quite forthright, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11). Rather than canceling those who cancel us, we are called to embody the way of love, humility, and grace. Obadiah reminds us that God’s righteous ways, along with God’s righteous people, will be vindicated in God’s own time.
Obadiah Teaches the Folly of Boasting
Edom was not just prideful at their escape from the exile, they gloated over Israel’s demise. They rejoiced as Jerusalem was ransacked by foreign armies; they cheered as the Temple was destroyed; they applauded while people were taken away to be enslaved in Babylon. Obadiah scolds Edom for taking gleeful pleasure at Israel’s downfall. Verse 12 reads; “You should not have gloated over your brother on the day of his misfortune; you should not have rejoiced over the people of Judah on the day of their ruin, you should not have boasted on the day of distress.” Obadiah even states that Edom stood by the crossroads to “hand over their survivors in the day of trouble” (1:14). Edom didn’t just sit by and watch the fall of Jerusalem; they gleefully took part in the plunder! Instead of ministry, they offered mockery, instead of comfort they voiced contempt.
It can be easy to rationalize our gloating. It is a good bet that Edom justified their boasting under the rhetoric of justice. After all, Edom had a long history of conflict with Israel. Battles were fought, insults were hurled. Both sides of the conflict looked upon the other with disdain and dislike. Thus, when Israel was conquered Edom probably felt that Israel, finally, had “gotten what they deserved.” Such prideful boasting can be easy to adopt, personally and nationally.
Have you ever rejoiced that someone “got their comeuppance”? Have you ever declared someone’s misfortune as the outworking of “what goes around comes around”? Such statements may seem innocent enough. They may even seem accurate. Yet what they amount to is a gleeful celebration of disadvantage and hurt. Gloating over another’s misery suggests that God delights in tragedy.
When we find ourselves in a time of tribulation, it can be difficult to offer grace amid such taunts. Obadiah is clear that boasting in another’s adversity is contrary to the way of God. We are called to “bless and not curse” (Romans 12:14). As Christ endured the shame of the cross, so too are we called to fix our eyes upon the joy set before us (Hebrews 12:2). God promises to frustrate the strong and make foolish the wise. Amid the gloating of others, we are called to embody a faithful hope; to boldly believe that, in the end, the redemptive love of the Lord will reign, and we will be healed.
Obadiah Teaches the Power of the Kingdom
God reigns: this is the promise of Scripture. Obadiah’s prophesy ends by declaring that God’s kingdom will not be thwarted. “The day of the Lord is near”, says Obadiah (1:15). God will visit God’s people and execute judgment over sin, death, and all the spiritual forces that corrupt and destroy God’s creation. The day of the Lord will be a day of salvation for all God’s people. The last phrase in Obadiah, the one that serves as the climax to the entire prophecy, is “the kingdom will be the Lord’s” (Obadiah 1:21). God will establish His own kingdom upon the earth, a kingdom wherein the hurting are healed, the lost are forgiven, and the displaced are brought home.
As people of Christ, we look at this prophesy through the lens of the New Testament. The incarnation of God in the person of Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy. The day of the Lord had come, and the kingdom of God has broken into this world. This was Jesus’ primary message. “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near”, Jesus cried (Mark 1:8). Similarly, when people question his ministry, Jesus says that “If it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matthew 12:28). Jesus inaugurated God’s kingdom upon the earth and invites us all to participate in it. Healing, grace, and love are open and available to us all.