Book introduction
The book of Obadiah
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It announces judgment on Edom, Israel’s neighbor and relative, for gloating and looting when Jerusalem fell.
Who wrote Obadiah?
Obadiah, whose name means “servant of the LORD.” Nothing else is known about him.
When was it written?
Most likely soon after Jerusalem’s fall in 586 BC.
Main themes
- Pride brings a fall
- Edom trusted its high rocks.
- Do not gloat over others’ ruin
- Edom stood aside and cheered when Jerusalem fell.
- The kingdom will be the LORD’s
- The last line looks past judgment to God’s rule.
Outline of Obadiah
Key verses
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is on the heights, who say in your heart, “Who can bring me down to the ground?”
For the day of Yahweh is near for all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will come back on your own head.
Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to rule the mountain of Esau, and the kingdom will belong to Yahweh.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
It is 21 verses. Read it all at once.
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