OBADIAH, the shortest Book in the Old Testament

This Book doesn't relate to us who "Obadiah" is nor does it gives dates. It doesn't say anything about his parents, social standing, or occupation. There were about a dozen Obadiah's mentioned in the Old Testament. This Obadiah stands along because none of the others can be associated with him. His name means, "Servant of the Lord" or Worshiper of the Lord." If we go back to Jeremiah 49, we find that the first nine verses of Obadiah relates to each other. This is clearly and oracle of the Lord's.

Verse 4 is very interesting: "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." Doesn't this mean that no matter how high and mighty we get, or think we get, that we can be brought down?

Verses 10-14
Reference is made indirectly to the historical happenings where the Edomites had joined with the enemies of Israel, helped in the take over of Jerusalem. About the middle of the ninth century, we know that the Philistines and Arabians, during the reign of Jehoram, had plundered Jerusalem. Also, at this time, Edom had joined with Babylonia at the fall of Jerusalem in 587 or 586 B. C. Could this be the date for Obadiah?

Obadiah's message is stong but is it really one of hate? Isn't it really one of justice? I think verse 10 says it very plainly: "For thy violence against they brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off." They had committed crimes and by doing so did have to be punished. Edom wasn't punished by Israel, they left it up to God as the judge of all nations. Nothing can escape the all seeing eye of God, He is everywhere.

Verses 17- 21We find that God has said that "the house of Jacob" shall have all the possessions. "the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devor them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau." God is minded of the oppressed and in the end will life them up, giving them back what has been taken from them. The Lord have spoken it.

God's blessings on each of you,

LJG

SOURCE:

KING JAMES BIBLE