Obadiah¶
Book summary
Edom was a nation that stood as one of the enemies of the Kingdom of Judah. Obadiah reveals God’s anger towards Edom and coming judgment for their cruel actions against Judah, such as helping the invaders loot Jerusalem.
The date of writing is unknown. Verses 11 to 14 refer to an invasion of Jerusalem, but there were several of those. The two options that biblical scholars consider most likely are the Philistine invasion in the 9th century BC, or the Babylonian invasion in the 6th century BC and the exile that followed shortly afterwards.
Verses 1-14 — Judgment on Edom¶
The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom… (Obad. 1:1)
On the day you stood aloof
while strangers carried off his wealth
and foreigners entered his gates
and cast lots for Jerusalem,
you were like one of them.
You should not gloat over your brother
in the day of his misfortune,
nor rejoice over the people of Judah
in the day of their destruction,
nor boast so much
in the day of their trouble. (Obad. 1:11-12)
Verses 15-21 — The day of the Lord¶
“The day of the Lord is near
for all nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you;
your deeds will return upon your own head.” (Obad. 1:15)