Obadiah
📜 Old Testament
🗺️ Overview
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, delivering a sharp judgment against Edom for its pride and violence against Judah. It highlights God’s justice toward nations and ends with hope for Zion’s deliverance and the coming of His kingdom.
💡 Obadiah reminds us that no one is beyond God’s justice — pride leads to downfall, and injustice will be judged. But for those who trust in God, there is hope: He will restore His people, and His kingdom will reign over all.
🏛️ Historical & Cultural Notes
Insights into the cultural, historical, or geographical background of the book.
Edom and Israel’s Relationship
Edom descended from Esau, Jacob’s brother, and had a long history of tension with Israel.
📚 Source: ESV Study Bible
Fall of Jerusalem
Obadiah likely wrote after Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, when Edom rejoiced and plundered Judah.
📚 Source: The Bible Project
The Kingdom of the Lord
The book ends with a vision of God’s universal reign — a key theme picked up by later prophets and New Testament writers.
📚 Source: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary
📊 Book at a Glance
- 📝 Author
- Obadiah
- 📅 Date
- c. 586–553 BC (after the fall of Jerusalem)
- 📖 Chapters
- 1
- 🏷️ Genre
- Prophecy
- 📍 Location
- After the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem; Edom rejoiced in Judah’s fall
- 🧵 Main Themes
- God’s judgment on Edom’s pride and betrayal, Divine justice for all nations, The Day of the Lord, Hope for Israel’s restoration, The triumph of God’s kingdom
📚 Outline
- Judgment on Edom (vv. 1–9)
- Edom’s Violence Against Judah (vv. 10–14)
- The Day of the Lord for All Nations (vv. 15–18)
- The Restoration of Israel and God’s Kingdom (vv. 19–21)
📖 Key Stories
Edom’s Arrogance and Fall (Obadiah 1:1–9)
Edom is condemned for its pride and false sense of security in its mountain strongholds.
Violence Against Jacob (Obadiah 1:10–14)
God rebukes Edom for standing by — and even celebrating — during Judah’s destruction.
The Day of the Lord (Obadiah 1:15–18)
A global reckoning is coming: judgment for the proud, and deliverance for God’s people.
The Kingdom Will Be the Lord’s (Obadiah 1:19–21)
The book ends with the promise of restoration for Zion and the full reign of God’s kingdom.
👤 Key Figures
🔍 Christ Connections
How this book anticipates or reflects the person and work of Christ.
- ThemeObadiah 1:15, Matthew 25:31–34
The Day of the Lord in Obadiah points to final judgment and ultimate restoration through Christ.
- PromiseObadiah 1:21, Revelation 11:15
The promise of God’s kingdom being fully established is fulfilled in Jesus, who reigns forever.
🧠 Key Verses
“The pride of your heart has deceived you…” — Obadiah 1:3
“As you have done, it shall be done to you…” — Obadiah 1:15
“The kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” — Obadiah 1:21
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