OBADIAH 1

EDOM’S PRIDE + GOD’S JUSTICE

Obadiah, a prophet of God, sends a message to Edom telling them to prepare for battle. The Edomites are a neighboring nation of the Israelites, with whom they have an ongoing rivalry. The Edomites are the ancestors of Esau, whereas Israel and Judah are the ancestors of Jacob. The story of Jacob and Esau can be found in Genesis 25–28.

2 Kings 25 recalls the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem, Judah’s capital city. During the invasion, Edom did not come to Judah’s aid, but instead acted as their enemy.

This letter is not one of good news for Edom, revealing that they are not as invincible as they perceive themselves and warning them against their own pride. Edom will be humbled, belittled, and ultimately despised.

Obadiah tells Edom that the nations will turn against them and that their kingdom will soon collapse. Because of their violence towards Jacob’s ancestors, they will be destroyed.

After detailing the destruction awaiting Edom, the book shifts to describing the Day of the Lord, a time when all of the nations will be judged righteously. During this time, the descendants of Jacob will thrive, but the descendants of Esau will perish. This prophecy serves as a warning against other prideful nations, alerting them that they may await the same fate as Edom. The last few verses of Obadiah offer hope that God will eventually reign over the new kingdom, restoring Israel and His people.