Obadiah

Author: Obadiah

Audience: The people of Judah suffering the treachery of the Edomites, descendants of Esau

Date: Probably the time of the Babylonian attacks on Jerusalem (605–586 bc)

Theme: God through Obadiah announces his judgment against the Edomites, who are gloating over Jerusalem’s devastation by foreign powers.

Introduction

Author

The author’s name is Obadiah, which means “servant (or worshiper) of the Lord.” His was a common name (1Ki 18:3–16; 1Ch 3:21; 7:3; 8:38; 9:16; 12:9; 27:19; 2Ch 17:7; 34:12; Ezr 8:9; Ne 10:5; 12:25). Neither his father’s name nor the place of his birth is given.

Date and Place of Writing

The date and place of composition are disputed. Dating the prophecy is mainly a matter of relating vv. 11–14 to one of two specific events in Israel’s history:

(1) The rebellion of Edom against Judah during the reign of Jehoram (853–841 bc); see 2Ki 8:20–22; 2Ch 21:8–15. In this case, Obadiah would be a contemporary of Elisha.

(2) The Babylonian attacks on Jerusalem (605–586). Obadiah would then be a contemporary of Jeremiah. This alternative seems more likely.

The striking parallels between Ob 1–6 and Jer 49:9–10, 14–16 have caused many to suggest some kind of interdependence between Obadiah and Jeremiah, but it may be that both prophets were drawing on a common source not otherwise known to us.

Unity and Theme

There is no compelling reason to doubt the unity of this brief prophecy, the shortest book in the OT. Its theme is that Edom, proud of their own security, has gloated over Judah’s devastation by foreign powers. However, Edom’s participation in that disaster will bring on God’s wrath. They will be destroyed, but Mount Zion and God’s people will be delivered, and God’s kingdom will triumph.

Edom’s hostile activities have spanned the centuries of Israel’s and Judah’s existence. The following biblical references are helpful in understanding the relation of God’s people and Edom: Ge 27:41–45; 32:1–21; 33; 36; Ex 15:15; Nu 20:14–21; Dt 2:1–6; 23:7–8; 1Sa 22 with Ps 52; 2Sa 8:13–14; 2Ki 8:20–22; 14:7; Ps 83; Eze 35; Joel 3:18–19; Am 1:11–12; 9:11–12.

Since the Edomites are related to the Israelites (v. 10), their hostility is all the more reprehensible. Edom is fully responsible for their failure to assist them as well as for their open aggression against them. The fact that God rejected Esau (Ge 25:23; Mal 1:3; Ro 9:13) in no way exonerates the Edomites. Edom, smug in its mountain strongholds (see photo), will be dislodged and sacked. But God’s people will prosper because God is with them.

Outline

I. Title and Introduction (1)

II. Judgment on Edom (2–14)

A. Edom’s Destruction Announced (2–7)

1. The humbling of their pride (2–4)

2. The completeness of their destruction (5–7)

B. Edom’s Destruction Reaffirmed (8–14)

1. Their shame and destruction (8–9)

2. Their crimes against Judah (10–14)

III. The Day of the Lord (15–21)

A. Judgment on the Nations but Deliverance for Zion (15–18)

B. The Lord’s Kingdom Established (19–21)