Obadiah
Obadiah
Obadiah
AUDIENCE:
The Edomites and the Jews in exile
PURPOSE:
To show that God judges those who harm his people.
Who reads Obadiah? It’s the shortest book in the Old Testament and the seemingly least relevant to New Testament believers. Perhaps because it is primarily an announcement of judgment against Edom, Judah’s neighbor across the Dead Sea, the book is little understood. But beneath the layers of judgment we discover that the God of Israel’s reach extends beyond the borders of Israel. First, Edom serves as a representative of all nations who oppose God. What is said of Edom extends to every nation throughout time that has resisted God’s rule. Second, the God of Israel—not the god of Edom—shall usher in his eternal Kingdom on earth. The humble can rejoice in this hope. The Lord does not fear the taunts of the rulers of any nation. Edom took pride in dwelling on a lofty hill, extending their rule over Judah. But the Lord would bring them down (). This God who humbles his enemies will lift up the people who are suffering.
SUFFERING AND DISABILITY THEMES
The value of a deeper look. The average believer may be tempted to overlook the book of Obadiah because it is, at first glance, difficult to understand. Similarly, people who experience suffering and disability long to be heard and understood. Take the time to get involved, and blessings will surely follow.
Borders do not limit God. The Lord’s mercy and strength extend beyond our greatest need, and he will one day usher in his Kingdom in the midst of his enemies. Suffering and disability will not deter him.
1This is the vision that the Sovereign LORD revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom.
Edom’s Judgment Announced
We have heard a message from the LORD
that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say,
“Get ready, everyone!
Let’s assemble our armies and attack Edom!”
2The LORD says to Edom,
“I will cut you down to size among the nations;
you will be greatly despised.
You have been deceived by your own pride
because you live in a rock fortress
and make your home high in the mountains.
‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’
you ask boastfully.
4But even if you soar as high as eagles
and build your nest among the stars,
I will bring you crashing down,”
says the LORD.
5“If thieves came at night and robbed you
(what a disaster awaits you!),
they would not take everything.
Those who harvest grapes
always leave a few for the poor.
But your enemies will wipe you out completely!
6Every nook and cranny of Edom
will be searched and looted.
Every treasure will be found and taken.
7“All your allies will turn against you.
They will help to chase you from your land.
They will promise you peace
while plotting to deceive and destroy you.
Your trusted friends will set traps for you,
and you won’t even know about it.
8At that time not a single wise person
will be left in the whole land of Edom,”
says the LORD.
“For on the mountains of Edom
I will destroy everyone who has understanding.
9The mightiest warriors of Teman
will be terrified,
and everyone on the mountains of Edom
will be cut down in the slaughter.
Reasons for Edom’s Punishment
10“Because of the violence you did
to your close relatives in Israel,
you will be filled with shame
and destroyed forever.
11When they were invaded,
you stood aloof, refusing to help them.
Foreign invaders carried off their wealth
and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem,
but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.
12“You should not have gloated
when they exiled your relatives to distant lands.
You should not have rejoiced
when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune.
You should not have spoken arrogantly
in that terrible time of trouble.
13You should not have plundered the land of Israel
when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have gloated over their destruction
when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have seized their wealth
when they were suffering such calamity.
14You should not have stood at the crossroads,
killing those who tried to escape.
You should not have captured the survivors
and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble.
Edom Destroyed, Israel Restored
15“The day is near when I, the LORD,
will judge all godless nations!
As you have done to Israel,
so it will be done to you.
All your evil deeds
will fall back on your own heads.
16Just as you swallowed up my people
on my holy mountain,
so you and the surrounding nations
will swallow the punishment I pour out on you.
Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger
and disappear from history.
“But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape;
it will be a holy place.
And the people of Israel will come back
to reclaim their inheritance.
18The people of Israel will be a raging fire,
and Edom a field of dry stubble.
The descendants of Joseph will be a flame
roaring across the field, devouring everything.
There will be no survivors in Edom.
I, the LORD, have spoken!
19“Then my people living in the Negev
will occupy the mountains of Edom.
Those living in the foothills of Judah
will possess the Philistine plains
and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria.
And the people of Benjamin
will occupy the land of Gilead.
20The exiles of Israel will return to their land
and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath.
The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north
will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev.
Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem
to rule over the mountains of Edom.
And the LORD himself will be king!”