The book of Obadiah is an interesting book that consists of only one chapter, which is made up of an oracle concerning judgment against Edom. Biblical tradition identifies the nation of Edom with Esau, the brother of Jacob/Israel (Genesis 36:1, 8-9, 19, 43). This book records Obadiah’s prediction of the nation Edom due to their treachery and cruelty towards the nation Israel. There is little to no information about Obadiah’s identity in this book however there are many references to Obadiah through other passages in scripture.
The name Obadiah appears within the lineages of at least five of the tribes of Israel, according to the lists in I Chronicles. The name is also mentioned in relation to an official for King Jehoshaphat of Judah, among the foremen overseeing the repairs of the temple in King Josiah’s day, and among the list of exiles who returned with Ezra. According to the Babylonian Talmud (Jewish rabbinic writings), the prophet Obadiah can be identified as the steward who served over King Ahab’s household. That particularly Obadiah was known to Elijah and rescued 100 prophets in the days when Jezebel sought to destroy prophets of the Lord (I Kings 18). Despite all of these possibilities, the book of Obadiah presents no direct information regarding the actual identity of the prophet.
We do know this though… Edom’s sin was two-fold: pride and treachery. The pride was against God, and the treachery against Israel. On several occasions the nation of Edom had sided with Israel’s enemies in spite of the fact that its people were related to Israel by blood: the Edomites through Esau, and the Israelites through Jacob. Thus, the animosity which began in Rebekah’s womb (Gen. 25:22) is described and denounced by Obadiah. It would reach its high-water mark centuries later when a (partial) descendant of Esau would attempt to kill a descendant of Jacob.
This message from Obadiah we understand is an oracle against Edom and through it, it identifies two main reasons why the nation was being judged by God.
First, the common prophetic condemnation against arrogance and pride is directed against Edom (Obadiah 1:3-4).
Secondly, Edom is judged for having looted Jerusalem for her own gain.
We learn through Obadiah that Edom has acted on its own and is not considered or identified as an instrument of God and due to their actions and decisions that Edom earned the judgment of God against itself.
The main theme presented in this book is identified as the “Day of the Lord” (Obadiah 1:15). This theme encompasses the days of judgment for Edom (1:8), Judah (12-14), and then expanding to include the nations (1:15) which then acknowledges the sovereignty of God to the World.
Obadiah may have been the earliest of the writing prophets.
Concerning Edom:
• Edomites were descendants of Esau.
• Edom means “red” because of the color of the stew Esau traded his birthright for.
• Edomites lived in the mountainous area of Seir, south of the Dead Sea.
• The Edomites were bitter enemies of the Jews.
• Edom refused Moses’ request to allow the Israelites to pass through their land on their way to Canaan. • The Edomites opposed Saul but were subdued by David.
• The Edomites fought against Jehoshaphat.
• The Edomites rebelled against Jehoram.
• In time Edom was controlled by Assyria and Babylon.
The historical setting for Obadiah took place about 850 B.C. from Judah. And this book is the shortest book in the Old Testament.
While this is not an exhausted study on Obadiah, my hope is that this introductory perspective of Obadiah will lead you to a much deeper study of this Hebrew prophet and his writings.
Blessing,
Pastor Jonathan W. Pannell
Rev. Jonathan W. Pannell III 