Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction: Obadiah is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. His book, the shortest in the Old Testament, consists of a single chapter with 21 verses. The name "Obadiah" means "servant of the LORD" or "worshiper of Yahweh." The book of Obadiah is a prophetic message primarily concerning the nation of Edom, a neighboring and often hostile nation to Israel.
Historical Context: The exact date of Obadiah's prophecy is debated among scholars, but it is generally placed around the time of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This period was marked by significant turmoil and upheaval for the people of Judah. Edom, descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, had a long-standing enmity with Israel, and during the Babylonian invasion, Edom took advantage of Judah's vulnerability.
Content Overview: The book of Obadiah is a pronouncement of judgment against Edom for its pride and its actions against Judah. The prophecy is structured as follows:
1.
Judgment Against Edom (Obadiah 1:1-9): Obadiah begins with a vision concerning Edom. The LORD declares that He will make Edom small among the nations and despised. The pride of Edom, which dwells in the clefts of the rocks and boasts of its security, will be brought low. The LORD promises that even if Edom ascends high like the eagle, He will bring them down. The prophecy details the complete destruction and humiliation that will come upon Edom.
"The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, whose habitation is high, who say in your heart, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?'" (Obadiah 1:3).
2. Reasons for Edom's Judgment (Obadiah 1:10-14):
The LORD accuses Edom of violence against their brother Jacob. During the calamity of Jerusalem, Edom stood aloof, rejoiced over Judah's downfall, and even participated in looting and capturing fugitives. These actions are condemned, and Edom is held accountable for their betrayal and lack of brotherly compassion.
"Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be cut off forever." (Obadiah 1:10).
3. The Day of the LORD and the Restoration of Israel (Obadiah 1:15-21):
Obadiah shifts focus to the "Day of the LORD," a time of divine judgment not only for Edom but for all nations. The prophecy assures that as Edom has done, so it will be done to them. The house of Jacob will possess their possessions, and the LORD's kingdom will be established. The final verses speak of the deliverance and restoration of Israel, with the exiles returning to possess the land.
"But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession." (Obadiah 1:17).
Theological Themes:
1. Divine Justice: Obadiah emphasizes God's justice and sovereignty over the nations. Edom's pride and betrayal are met with divine retribution, illustrating that no nation is beyond God's reach or judgment.
2. Brotherhood and Betrayal: The book highlights the consequences of betrayal and violence against one's kin. Edom's actions against Judah, their brother nation, serve as a warning against pride and treachery.
3. The Day of the LORD: This theme underscores the ultimate accountability of all nations before God. The Day of the LORD is a time of judgment and also a time of hope for the faithful, as it promises the restoration and vindication of God's people.
4. Restoration and Hope: Despite the judgment pronounced on Edom, the prophecy ends with a message of hope for Israel. God's covenant promises remain steadfast, and His people will ultimately be restored and vindicated.
Conclusion:
The book of Obadiah serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and the importance of humility and brotherly love. It reassures believers of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.Nave's Topical Index
1 Kings 18:12
And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry you where I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he shall slay me: but I your servant fear the LORD from my youth.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
The Prophecy of Obadiah.
... The prophecy of Obadiah is divided into three parts:"the destruction of Edom by
heathen nations ... "And the exiles of this host of the children of Israel (shall ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophecy of obadiah.htm
Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety
... If he had no gracious parents, I cannot tell how Obadiah came to be a ... in his father's
house, or pious neighbor, who dared to gather little children round about ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/obadiah or early piety eminent.htm
Obadiah
... feet had been like iron, and the heavens above them brass; and Obadiah had found ...
Perhaps his children at home were even then crying for food and water, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm
The Prophet of Fire
The Children's Bible. <. ... The famine was so severe in Samaria that
Ahab had called Obadiah, the overseer of the palace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the prophet of fire.htm
Jehoshaphat's Reform
... of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to ... Many
a home is saddened to-day because the children do not seek the God of their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm
Elijah
... again, so that no man knew where to find him; and, as Obadiah said when ... as a man
mysterious and terrible, not merely in the eyes of women and children, but of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xix elijah.htm
The Voice of Stern Rebuke
... And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in ... set
forth on his journey to Samaria, Ahab had proposed to Obadiah, the governor of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 10 the voice of.htm
The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... before its final overthrow (2 Kings ap.24; Dan.1:1), Obadiah may have ... the celebrated
metropolis of upper Egypt, also called Thebes, whose children were dashed ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm
The Fifth Commandment
... not only gave him her breast-milk, but the sincere milk of the word.' Season your
children with good principles betides, that they may, with Obadiah, fear the ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm
Elijah and the Widow's Son.
Children of the Old Testament. ... She had tried to kill every prophet of God in the
land, and thought indeed that she had done so; but Obadiah, the king's officer ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/elijah and the widows son.htm
Resources
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