Obadiah, The Book of The Prophet

[He. Obadyah or Obadyahu “serving Yah’]

Courtesy of Alexander Scourby(Bible Audio)Obadiah

Background: This is the shortest OT book and we know nothing about the prophet. 

The theme is punishment of Edom, which lay south-east of the Dead Sea. The Edomites (Esau) and thus related to Israelites, yet they were long-standing enemies. 

The reference in this book suggest that when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonian army in 587BC the Edomites did nothing to help and maybe even took some advantage of Judah’s fate. While Edom disappeared from history Obadiah foretells the return of Israel to her own land

Author: Obadiah

Date: Uncertain

Purpose:

*Predict Edom’s fall

*Predict judgment against any persons or nations consumed with pride

*God will restore Israel

Unique Features:

*Most detailed prophecy about the relationship between descendants of Esau and Jacob

Comparison:

Jer.

*1:1-9 identical with Jer49:7-22

Jl

*Writing a short later than Joel, Obadiah spoke of Edom’s violence against Judah (1:10 Jl3:19)

*Speak of pagan nations “casting” lots for God’s chosen people and city (1:11 Jl3:3)

*Pagan receiving just deserts for mistreating Israel (1:15 Jl3:4, 7)

*The day of the Lord (1:15 Jl1:15; 2:1; 3:14)

*People on Mt. Zion escaping the destruction (1:17 Jl2:32)

Abbreviations: Obad./ Oba./ Ob

MV: Strait Gate, Lk13:24

Bib1Yr:Jn15, 16The True Vine