The tiny Book of Obadiah – a single chapter, only 21 verses – responds to a then-current event in which a nation took a stand for evil, victimizing a neighbor nation in their moment of need.
God promised to destroy the offending nation.
Historical Context
Two brothers – Jacob and Esau – fathered two nations – Israel and Edom.
The nations, like the brothers, had troubled relationships. Sometimes allies, sometimes enemies.
Then, in a moment of great crisis for Israel, Edom took pitiless advantage of his brother nation.
Obadiah wrote his book indicting Edom for their evil behavior and prophesying their doom in consequence.
Edom’s Doom
God told Obadiah, who wrote:
“The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,
The one who lives in the clefts of the rock,
On the height of his dwelling place,
Who says in his heart,
‘Who will bring me down to earth?’
Though you make your home high like the eagle,
Though you set your nest among the stars,
From there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.
– Obadiah 3-4
The land of Edom was replete with caves in cliffs, easily defended and hard to assault. People taking refuge there could hold off a much larger group of attackers. They thought themselves safe, but God’s reach goes everywhere.
“All the people allied with you
Will send you to the border,
And the people at peace with you
Will deceive you and overpower you.”
– Obadiah 7a
Edom’s Offense
Why is God angry with Edom?
“Because of violence to your brother Jacob,
Shame will cover you,
And you will be eliminated 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.”
– Obadiah 10-11
A foreign army had invaded Jerusalem (“foreigners entered his gate”), broken down her protective wall, and forcibly carried her people into slavery.
Edom was in a position to help, at least somewhat. Instead, she “stood aloof”, offering no help. More than that, they celebrated Israel’s misfortune.
“Do not gloat over your brother’s day,
The day of his misfortune.
And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah
On the day of their destruction;
Yes, do not boast
On the day of their distress.”
– Obadiah 12
Edom followed the invading army, looting what was left of Israel’s belongings.
“Do not enter the gate of My people
On the day of their disaster…
And do not lay a hand on their wealth
On the day of their disaster.”
– Obadiah 13
Edom could have helped Israel’s refugees escape. Instead, they arrested them and turned them over to their enemies.
“Do not stand at the crossroads
To eliminate their survivors;
And do not hand over their refugees
On the day of their distress.”
– Obadiah 14
How Will Judgment Happen?
Edom will harvest what she has planted.
“For the day of the Lord is near for all the nations.
Just as you have done, it will be done to you.
Your dealings will return on your own head.”
– Obadiah 15
But God promises Israel will return to her own land.
“But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape,
And it will be holy.
And the house of Jacob will possess their property.”
– Obadiah 17
Unlike Israel, Edom will be lost to history.
“But the house of Esau will be like stubble.
And 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.
– Obadiah 18b
God will rescue Israel but judge Edom.
The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion
To judge the mountain of Esau,
And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.
– Obadiah 21
Epilogue
God calls on nations, like brothers, to be kind, to treat neighbor nations as they want to be treated. Nations that do so receive God’s blessing. Those that do not invite judgment.
Edom violated God’s call, and in the end lost everything.