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Introduction
The book of Obadiah is the fourth of what are called “the twelve minor prophets” (Major and Minor Prophets). By any measure, it is the shortest book in the Old Testament. By word count, the New Testament books of Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude are all shorter than Obadiah.
Little is known about the Obadiah who wrote this “book.” Given his focus on the destruction of Jerusalem (Obad 1:11, 12, 20) which was in 586 BC, he could have been a contemporary of Jeremiah, or even Isaiah a century before that.
In addition to its historical meaning, we can see the book using Israel and Edom as metaphors more generally for Jews and Gentiles. We can take the same approach with the beginning of Malachi.
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Obadiah 1
Edom Will Be Humbled
Obad 1:1 – A vision is to a prophet what the law is to a priest – grist for the mill. ***** As for “Edom,” see Jacob and Esau, Israel and Edom.
Obad 1:12-14 – This is the main point of the message to Edom: do not gloat when God’s judgment comes on your brother!
The Day of the Lord and the Future
Obad 1:15 – “the day of the Lord“ ***** That judgment “draws near on all the nations” is reason enough that Edom should not gloat over Israel’s judgment. Edom is going to have its own judgment to experience, and it will only be made worse if it revels in Israel’s difficulties.
Obad 1:17 – This is where we’re headed: the Zion above!
Obad 1:18 – Everyone is going to heaven, and thus “the house of Esau” will have no survivors.
Obad 1:21 – As in verse 17, this is the Zion to which we aspire. Sheol is no more. As Paul says in the New Testament:
Heb 13:14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
The Duty of a Man 