Page 47 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their
trouble."

Obadiah verse 15, "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."

Brief Summary: Obadiah's message is final and it is sure: the kingdom of Edom will be destroyed
completely. Edom has been arrogant, gloating over Israel's misfortunes, and when enemy armies attack
Israel and the Israelites ask for help, the Edomites refuse and choose to fight against them, not for
them. These sins of pride can be overlooked no longer. The book ends with the promise of the
fulfillment and deliverance of Zion in the Last Days when the land will be restored to God's people as
He rules over them.

"Why did God judge Edom so harshly in the book of Obadiah?"

Obadiah clearly predicted Edom’s destruction (Obadiah vs. 1, 8), and the prophecy offers a list of
specific reasons for God’s impending judgment:

- Their heart of pride: “The pride of your heart has deceived you” (Obadiah vs. 3).

- Their violent acts against Israel: “Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall
cover you, and you shall be cut off forever” (Obadiah vs.10).

- Their attitude toward Jerusalem’s destruction: “Do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of
their ruin” (Obadiah vs.12).

- Their plundering and looting of Jerusalem: “Do not loot his wealth in the day of his calamity” (vs. 13).

- Their mistreatment of Jerusalem’s survivors: “Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives”
(Obadiah vs.14).

In addition to these specific sins, Edom had been a longtime enemy of Israel, ever since the time of the
Exodus (Numbers 20:14-21), when the Edomites had acted churlishly toward the refugees. Through
Obadiah, God provided a list of eight “do not’s” (Obadiah vs.12-14), a list which Edom obviously
ignored.

Adding to their culpability is the fact that the Edomites were related to the Israelites. The Edomites
were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob and grandson of Abraham. This family tie should
have incited compassion for Israel’s plight; instead, it made Edom’s actions even more repulsive, since
they were opposing not only God’s chosen people but also their own relatives.

"When were Obadiah’s prophecies against Edom fulfilled (Obadiah vs.18-20)?"

A major factor in determining when Obadiah’s prophecies against Edom were fulfilled rests on when
the book was written. The prophet mentions a recent invasion of Jerusalem (1:10-11), which helps to
narrow down the date of writing. Jerusalem experienced four different invasions in Old Testament
times, yet only two fit the time period under discussion in Obadiah. The early date would be about 841
B.C., when the Philistines and Arabians attacked Jerusalem during the reign of King Jehoram (2

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