Introduction:
Obadiah is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament, and his book is the shortest in the Hebrew Bible, consisting of a single chapter with 21 verses. Despite its brevity, the Book of Obadiah delivers a powerful message concerning the judgment of Edom and the restoration of Israel. The name "Obadiah" means "servant of Yahweh," reflecting the prophet's role as a messenger of God's word.

Historical Context:
The exact date of Obadiah's prophecy is debated among scholars, but it is generally placed around the 6th century BC. This period was marked by significant turmoil, including the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, are accused of taking advantage of Judah's distress during this time, which is a central theme in Obadiah's prophecy.

Message and Themes:
The Book of Obadiah primarily addresses the nation of Edom, condemning them for their pride and their hostile actions against their brother nation, Israel. The Edomites are criticized for standing aloof during Jerusalem's destruction and for participating in the looting and capture of fleeing Israelites. Obadiah 1:10-11 states, "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them."

The prophecy emphasizes the principle of divine retribution, where the actions of Edom will return upon their own heads. Obadiah 1:15 declares, "For the Day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head."

Judgment and Restoration:
Obadiah's prophecy is not only a message of judgment against Edom but also a promise of restoration for Israel. The prophet foresees a time when the exiles of Israel will return and possess the land. Obadiah 1:17 proclaims, "But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession."

The book concludes with a vision of the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, where "the kingdom will be the LORD’s" (Obadiah 1:21). This eschatological hope points to a future where God's justice prevails, and His people are restored.

Theological Significance:
Obadiah's prophecy underscores the sovereignty of God over all nations and His commitment to justice. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and betrayal, as well as the assurance of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. The book highlights the importance of brotherly relations and the moral responsibility nations have towards one another.

Legacy and Influence:
Though brief, the Book of Obadiah has had a lasting impact on biblical theology and eschatology. Its themes of judgment and restoration resonate throughout the prophetic literature and are echoed in the New Testament's teachings on the Day of the Lord and the establishment of God's kingdom. Obadiah's message continues to be a source of reflection on divine justice and hope for believers.Obadiah 1:1
The vision of Obadiah. Thus said the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumor from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise you, and let us rise up against her in battle.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Predictions Concerning the Salvation of the World in Christ ...
... The date of three of the minor prophets, Obadiah, Nahum, and Habakkuk, is neither
mentioned by themselves nor given in the chronicles of Eusebius and Jerome. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 31 of the predictions concerning.htm

Obadiah
... 'He feared the Lord greatly, and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord,
Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm

The Prophecy of Obadiah.
... 2 Chronicles 21:16 ff.) was the occasion of the prophecy before us, and according
to which Obadiah is thus made the oldest among all the prophets in the Canon ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophecy of obadiah.htm

Prefaces to the Commentaries on the Minor Prophets.
... It gives the order of the Twelve Prophets adopted by the LXX. ... to explain, at your
command, Pammachius, and after a long interval of silence, Obadiah and Jonah. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/prefaces to the commentaries on.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... In favor of this view is urged the fact that Jeremiah, who was in the habit of using
the writings of the earlier prophets, has much in common with Obadiah. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Prophet of Fire
... Obadiah was very loyal to Jehovah; for when Jezebel tried to kill the prophets of
Jehovah, he took a hundred and hid them in a cave and kept them supplied with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the prophet of fire.htm

Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety
... I feel sure of that, because Obadiah said to Elijah, "Was it not told my lord how
I hid the Lord's prophets?" Now, Elijah was the well-known head and leader of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/obadiah or early piety eminent.htm

How Ahab when He had Taken Jezebel to Wife Became More Wicked than ...
... Now it happened that the same time when queen Jezebel slew the prophets, that this
Obadiah had hidden a hundred prophets, and had fed them with nothing but ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how ahab when.htm

Isaiah.
... (2) Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Jeremiah, prophets
of Judah.2. The exilic prophets, Ezekiel and Daniel.3. The Post-exilic ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xv isaiah.htm

Obadiah
... 16), the resemblance is such that the passage in Jeremiah must be dependent on Obadiah. ...
has usually been sought in the assumption that both prophets have made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/obadiah.htm

What is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? | GotQuestions.org

What was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

What is a prophet in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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