Obadiah 1
-This is the shortest book in the Old Testament and consists
of only one chapter. There is scant knowledge about the prophet Obadiah and the
actual time of this prophecy. Scholars, doing their best, can only place this
prophecy vaguely in either the time of Jehoram of Judah, 855-840 B.C., or
possibly during the time of Jeremiah’s ministry, 627-586 B.C. at the time of
the Babylonian invasion. As you can see, this is a wide time gap, but there is
no substantial evidence to determine when this book was delivered by the Spirit
of God.
-The important thing to remember is that the LORD did
pronounce justice for His people through Obadiah and would bring down the pride
of the lofty living Edomites for the everlasting destruction of their nation
because they had treated the chosen people of God with contempt and violence.
They had rejoiced at the calamity of their brothers (Edom comes from Esau,
Jacob’s brother and son of Isaac and Abraham, Genesis 25:19-26; 32:3) and felt
secure in their mountainous dwelling (they lived south and east of the Dead Sea
region in what is today modern Jordan, this is where Petra is, the famous
stronghold mountain that could easily be defended from invaders). At the time
of this prophecy Edom would more than likely have felt much more secure in
their longevity and continuance as a nation than Judah. However, God foretells
of their demise through His Word and will eventually bring them down for their
pride and arrogance of heart (Obadiah 1:3-4). They will be ruined to never
recover because of the violence they had perpetrated and allowed towards their
brother, Jacob (Obadiah 1:10). They had gloated over the misfortune of their
relatives, God’s people, and rejoiced in their day of destruction (Obadiah
1:12).
-Verse 15 moves into what I believe to be a futuristic
prophecy with the familiar wording “the day of the LORD.” This, the prophet
says, will be unto “all the nations” and has significance for the ramifications
to any people group and their treatment of His people primarily referring to
Israel, but also can refer to any of the believing people of God including
Gentiles in His church. Their dealings will return on their head if they
mistreat or stand aloof. Destruction is prophesied for those who go against the
LORD’s anointed (Obadiah 1:16). Judgment is placed on the enemies of God “and
the Kingdom will be the LORD’s (Obadiah 1:21).” *Application* It doesn’t matter
how secure a country or nation feels about its economic prowess, natural abundance,
or military might. The LORD God has ways of bringing a prideful nation down to
its knees in humility and mercy and maybe even destruction when it turns its
back on God and His people. The Sovereign LORD will always fight for His own.
Our country, even the United States, will only survive as long as it blesses
Israel and the people of God in His church. Eventually all nations who go
against God’s Word will be judged and brought very low no matter how invincible
they may appear. We cannot rely on our expertise, knowledge of ingenuity, or
technology to sustain us forever. Only the LORD in His power is capable of that
(Proverbs 3:5-6). As individuals and nations we cannot afford to allow
ourselves to feel so comfortable and content with our wealth or security that
we fail to look to the LORD for perpetuity and help God’s people. It is sin to
stand by and do nothing when it is in our power to help (James 4:17). The theme
of this book, Obadiah, reminds us of that undeniable fact.
Verses to Memorize:
Obadiah 1:3, 15
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