Obadiah
Obadiah is the shortest book of the Old Testament: a single chapter against Edom, which rejoiced at and profited from Jerusalem's fall.
AuthorObadiah
DateShortly after 587 BC
AudienceJudah after the fall of Jerusalem
🎯 Learning objective
Understand the message of Obadiah, its historical setting and its place in the history of salvation.
🏛️ Historical context
Edom, a neighbouring people descended from Esau, helped Babylon plunder Jerusalem in 587 BC.
🔙 Background
The rivalry between Israel and Edom goes back to the twins Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25-27).
🧭 Structure of the book
Verses 1-14: judgment on Edom's pride
Verses 15-21: the day of the Lord and God's Kingdom
⭐ Key events and teachings
- 1Condemnation of the pride of Edom, who lived on the heights (v. 3-4)
- 2Denunciation of its cruelty toward its "brother" Jacob (v. 10-14)
- 3"As you have done, it shall be done to you" (v. 15)
- 4"And the kingdom shall be the Lord's" (v. 21)
🏷️ Main themes
📖 Verses to memorize
- Obadiah 1:3The pride of thy heart hath lifted thee up, who dwellest in the clefts of the rocks, and settest up thy throne on high: who sayest in thy heart: Who shall bring me down to the ground?
- Obadiah 1:4Though thou be exalted as an eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars: thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.
- Obadiah 1:15For the day of the Lord is at hand upon all nations: as thou hast done, so shall it be done to thee: he will turn thy reward upon thy own head.
- Obadiah 1:17And in mount Sion shall be salvation, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess those that possessed them.
- Obadiah 1:21And saviours shall come up into mount Sion to judge the mount of Esau: and the kingdom shall be for the Lord.
💭 For reflection
- Do I ever rejoice at someone else's misfortune?
- What does Obadiah teach me about pride?
The shortest book of the Old Testament: a single chapter announcing judgment on Edom for its pride and violence against Judah, and the restoration of God's people.