1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?
6 How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; that they eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.
8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
9 And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
10 For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.
12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;
14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.
15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it.
19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.
The Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only one chapter. Despite its brevity, it delivers a powerful message of divine judgment against Edom, a nation descended from Esau, Jacob's elder twin brother. The prophecy in this book is centered around God's wrath against Edom, their impending downfall, and the ultimate triumph of Israel.
The chapter begins with the vision of Obadiah, a prophet whose name means "servant of the Lord". He received a divine revelation concerning Edom. The main theme here is the proclamation of the Lord's judgment: "We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle." (Obadiah 1:1). This represents the divine decree against Edom and foretells the nation's destruction by foreign armies.
Edom's pride is the second major theme in this chapter. Edom, known for its impregnable mountain fortresses, was proud and self-assured in its security. The prophet Obadiah, however, warns that God will bring them down from their lofty position: "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD." (Obadiah 1:4). This message underscores that no nation or individual can stand against the Lord's judgment.
The chapter continues to detail the extent of Edom's downfall. The Lord will thoroughly plunder Edom, and their allies will deceive and overpower them. The imagery used here is quite vivid, comparing Edom's destruction to the thoroughness of grape pickers and thieves, leaving nothing behind. Edom's wisdom and understanding, symbolized by the wise men and understanding men of the mount of Esau, would be destroyed (Obadiah 1:8).
Another significant theme in Obadiah's prophecy is the retribution for Edom's betrayal of their brother nation, Israel. During Israel's distress, Edom stood aloof, rejoiced over their calamity, and even participated in their plundering (Obadiah 1:10-14). Obadiah's message emphasizes the principle of divine retribution: "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head." (Obadiah 1:15). This message stresses the concept of "lex talionis" or the law of retaliation, an eye for an eye.
The final theme in this chapter is the restoration and triumph of Israel. Despite the devastation and exile that Israel had experienced, God promises to restore them and grant them victory over their enemies. The house of Jacob will be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, while the house of Esau will be stubble, indicating the utter destruction of Edom and the triumph of Israel (Obadiah 1:18).
The prophecy concludes with a vision of the Lord's kingdom established on Mount Zion, where deliverance and holiness will reside, and the house of Jacob will possess their possessions. This ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over the kingdoms of this world represents the fulfillment of God's divine plan and the vindication of His people.
The Book of Obadiah, despite its brevity, carries a profound message about God's sovereignty, justice, and redemption. It serves as a stark reminder that pride, arrogance, and the mistreatment of others, especially the vulnerable and the oppressed, will not go unpunished. God, in His righteousness, will judge and bring retribution.
Moreover, Obadiah's prophecy underscores the principle of divine retribution and the inevitable consequences of our actions. The way Edom treated Israel - its gloating, violence, and betrayal - was returned upon its own head. This highlights a fundamental biblical truth: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7).
Finally, the Book of Obadiah offers a message of hope and restoration. Despite Israel's suffering and exile, God promises to restore them and grant them victory over their enemies. This points to the overarching biblical narrative of God's redemptive plan for His people and His ultimate victory over evil.
In conclusion, the Book of Obadiah serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty, justice, and redemptive love. It calls us to humble ourselves, treat others with kindness and justice, and trust in God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.
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