Obadiah

Edom is charged here with violence against their brother (the oldest and one of the most heinous crimes; Gen. 4:1-15). The crime was heinous because Judah was being assaulted at the time by foreigners. Human decency, besides Mosaic law, would have demanded that Edom help their kinsmen rather than gloating over and contributing to their pain. In verses 12-14 the charges are rhetorically expressed as warnings not to do what they had done. The principle of retribution stated in verse 15 ("As you have done, it will be done to you") is implied by using the same Hebrew verb in verses 10 ("you will be destroyed") and 14 ("[you] cut down their fugitives"). "When Edom looked upon Judah's disaster, they were in effect looking into a mirror" (B. K. Smith).

God's judgment against Edom is based on the fact that all the nations who oppose God and His people will be punished on the day of the Lord. Then "the house of Jacob" will take possession of all that belonged to them (see Amos 9:12). This will fulfill and extend God's promise to Israel before the conquest. It will happen not because of Israel's faithfulness but because of the Lord's (Deut. 1:8,21; 2:25; 9:4-6; 30:4-7). Security will be found not in Edom's mountains but in the Lord's Mount Zion (see Mic. 4:7).

Theological and Ethical Significance. Obadiah's prophecy declares that God's judgment not just on Edom but on all God's enemies will come on "the day of the Lord" (see Ps. 2). On that day God will also set up the "kingdom that will never be destroyed" (Dan. 2:44). One whose trust is in anything but the Lord is never secure. All who consider themselves great can be sure that the Lord will someday bring them down (see 1 Sam. 2:3-10; Prov. 16:18; Isa. 26:5; Dan. 5:19-23; Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). In particular, the Lord holds accountable those who take advantage of others in their distress.

Question for Reflection What is our response when others take advantage of our misfortune? Do we trust God to be just, or do we take matters into our own hands?

Armerding, C. E. "Obadiah." Expositor's Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985.

Baker, D. W. Obadiah: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1988.

Finley, T. J. Joel, Amos, Obadiah. Chicago: Moody, 1990.

Smith, B. K. and F. S. Page. Amos, Obadiah, Jonah. New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1995.

Watts, J. D. W. Obadiah. Winona Lake, Ind.: Alpha, 1981.