Obadiah 1 Commentary
Obadiah stands at one chapter long. With only 21 verses for its lone chapter, Obadiah is one of the smallest volumes in the holy script. Yes, small in size but not in content!
Obadiah repeats the central message of the prophets. The nations are judged for their wickedness. This book singles out Edom. Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, among others, contain prophecies against the nations, Edom included. This volume points to Edom’s specific sins – Edom’s aggression against Israel on the day of Judah’s fall at the hands of the Babylonians.
Edom rejoiced at the news that Judah had fallen. They went further. They participated by “cutting down fugitives” and “handing survivals back to the enemy”. They also took advantage of Judah’s confusion by looting the weakened nation. Edom would pay dearly for this sort of wickedness.
Verse 13 extends the LORD’s judgment to the nations. The New Testament saint understands better: All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Thus, the ‘nations’ fall under the LORD’s judgment – all of them.
Falling under the term ‘nations’ is the nation of Israel. Her suffering under the yoke of either Assyria or Babylon or indeed any other yoke, named or otherwise nicknamed, is actually the LORD’s judgment against the sinful nation.
Look at the Book of Jeremiah and see the entire volume as the LORD’s judgment against Judah. The LORD’s judgment against the named nations forms the more minor part of the book of Jeremiah. Obadiah, on the other hand, is primarily the LORD’s judgment against Edom with only a lone statement reserved for the ‘nations’. Of course, it is expected given the prophet’s lack of ink!
“But on Mount Zion will be deliverance.” Verse 17. It is the hope that the entire body of prophecy has spoken. And the LORD Jesus Christ confirmed it to His two disciples on the way to Emmaus. “And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them what was said in the scripture concerning Himself,” concerning this deliverance on Mount Zion. Luke 24 verse 27.
Thus Obadiah ends his work on the note of hope for Israel’s deliverance.
Read the Book of Obadiah and know what the “Prophets” say. It is a well-written summary. The nations are punished, including Israel because of their wickedness. Sin is universal. All have sinned. Edom has the distinction of being singled out by Obadiah. But it is the hope of deliverance wrapped in the appearance of Immanuel – the Son with the government on His shoulders that forms the core of Obadiah’s prophecy.
Then the kingdom will be the LORD’s. Verse 21. We will have come back to the perfect rule of the Creator God – exactly as it was back in the Garden of Peace and Tranquility. See how Obadiah prioritizes the occupation of land by the triumphant saints!
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