Obadiah Introduction

The book of Obadiah has some close similarities with Jeremiah 49:7-16. Some think these similarities show that Jeremiah must have been familiar with Obadiah’s book. If so, then Obadiah was written before 587 BC. Historically that seems improbable because there is no sense either in Obadiah or elsewhere in the OT that the people of Jerusalem knew in advance that the Edomites would betray them. It is difficult to compare two related passages of unknown date and decide which one was written first. Given that some prophets in Israel (e.g., Elijah and Elisha) did not record their sermons in book form, it is possible that Obadiah and Jeremiah could have both relied on earlier traditional language, reshaping their own unique prophecies under the inspiration of the Spirit of God.

Obadiah’s description is so vivid that he likely wrote his book not long after the fall of Jerusalem. He also predicted the fall of Edom as a future event, so he must have written before the late sixth century BC, when Edom was destroyed. Taking all the evidence into account, a likely date for Obadiah to have written the book would be between 585 and 550 BC.

Edom represents all those who oppose the purposes of the Lord (see Jdg 5:4; Is 63:1-6). The perspective shifts at Obadiah 15-21 from Edom alone to Edom and all the nations. Edom’s treachery and overconfidence made it a perfect example for Obadiah. Whatever Obadiah said about Edom applies equally well to any nation that sets itself against the Lord and his people. The Lord’s sovereignty over the nations is evident throughout the book. God summoned them to assemble against Edom (v. 1), he challenged Edom’s haughty attitude (vv. 2-4), he threatened to cut off all hope of rescue (vv. 8-9), and he promised a day when he would set all things right, restoring Israel and Judah to their former territories (vv. 15-21).

Obadiah, along with many other prophets, foresaw that the messianic kingdom would be established on the earth, with Mount Zion at the center. The people of Israel, whether of the southern or northern tribes, would return to the land and join together to win back their territory with the Lord’s aid. Then they would rule over the rest of the nations.

In Obadiah’s contrasting of the destiny of the people of God and that of the enemies of God, he reminds us of the severity of the sins of arrogance, pride, and betrayal. God will always judge the proud, arrogant ones, and those who betray another will themselves be betrayed.

Obadiah pointedly proclaimed that good will triumph at the end of the day, but it is God’s goodness that triumphs, not mankind’s. Throughout the book of Obadiah, God is the central figure. God defines the rules, chooses his own people, and dispenses judgment. He is in control of history. Surely the one who rules the nations, also is able to care for his people.