Summary of the Book of Obadiah

Author:
The author of the Book of Obadiah is identified as the Prophet Obadiah.

Date of Writing:
The Book of Obadiah was likely written either between 848 and 840 BC, following an invasion of the Philistines and Arabians, or between 607 and 585 BC, following one of the invasions of the Babylonians.

Purpose of Writing:
Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, consists of only 21 verses. Obadiah, a prophet of God, seizes this opportunity to denounce Edom for its sins against both God and Israel. The Edomites are descendants of Esau, while the Israelites are descendants of his twin brother, Jacob. A longstanding feud between the brothers has impacted their descendants for over 1,000 years. This rift led the Edomites to prevent Israel from passing through their land during the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt. Edom’s sins of pride now necessitate a stern judgment from the Lord.

Key Verses:

Obadiah verse 4, “‘Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,’ declares the LORD.”

Obadiah verse 12, “You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.”

Obadiah verse 15, “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.”

Brief Summary:
Obadiah’s message is definitive and certain: the kingdom of Edom will face complete destruction. Edom’s arrogance has led to gloating over Israel’s misfortunes. When enemy armies assail Israel and the Israelites seek assistance, the Edomites reject them and opt to oppose rather than support them. These sins of pride can no longer be ignored. The book concludes with the promise of the fulfillment.Lament and deliverance of Zion in the Last Days when the land will be restored to God’s people as He rules over them.

Foreshadowings:
Verse 21 of the Book of Obadiah contains a foreshadowing of Christ and His Church. “Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, And the kingdom shall be the LORD’s” (NKJV). These “saviors” (also called “deliverers” in several versions) are the apostles of Christ, ministers of the word, and especially the preachers of the Gospel in these latter days. They are called “saviors,” not because they obtain our salvation, but because they preach salvation through the Gospel of Christ and show us the way to obtain that salvation. They, and the Word preached by them, are the means by which the good news of salvation is delivered to all men. While Christ is the only Savior who alone came to purchase salvation, and is the author of it, saviors and deliverers of the Gospel will be more and more in evidence as the end of the age draws near.

Practical Application:
God will overcome on our behalf if we stay true to Him. Unlike Edom, we must be willing to help others in times of need. Pride is sin. We have nothing to be proud of except Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.