Explore: Compassion for the lost

The Explore the Bible lesson for March 22 focuses on Obadiah 1:1-4, 10-17.

Introduction to Obadiah

The identity of Obadiah, a powerful prophet, remains a mystery. We have no reason to doubt Obadiah was an actual person, but little is known of the man. Jewish scholarship has tried to find a link between the prophet for whom the book is named with the prophet who obeyed the Lord in spite of the terrible reign of Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 18). We can find little support for this linkage. Obadiah obviously prophesied from Jerusalem, and many scholars agree Obadiah ministered at some point soon after the Jews had resettled in their homeland under the leadership of both Ezra and Nehemiah. Obadiah’s hostility towards Edom suggests a post-exilic date, as well. 

Edom was a nation that grew from the descendants of Esau (Genesis 36; Deuteronomy 2). The Old Testament offers that a love-hate relationship existed between the Israelites and the Edomites. The nation of Judah even considered Edom a staunch ally after the fall of Israel in 722 B.C. The prophet Jeremiah, however, asserted Edom turned her back on Judah and helped the Babylonians in the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. (Jeremiah 49). Obadiah accordingly prophesied against Edom with the same veracity as other godly prophets. He even used the same language as Jeremiah in his pronouncement of judgment upon Edom.

A comparison of Obadiah 2-5 with Jeremiah 49:14-16 may perhaps reveal either that these prophets used a common prophetic source or Jeremiah greatly influenced Obadiah. We can therefore locate and explore four significant thematic elements in Obadiah’s short but strongly worded vision. For more introductory information, please refer to the introduction of the Bible books included in the front section of the resources.

Check your arrogance (Obadiah 1-4)

Obadiah immediately relayed a strongly worded vision for divine retribution against Edom. God will not pull any punches. In fact, the vision even moved in quite a logical progression. God told the Edomites exactly what he would do (v. 2), God revealed the reasoning behind his wrath (1:3), and God reminded the Edomites of his character (v. 4). Let’s focus however on the tremendously important aspect of God’s reasoning. 

The Edomites asked, “Who can bring me to the ground?” The Lord answered with a spine-tingling play on words, “I will bring you down.” Note that the Edomites apparently assumed rocky geography and elevated terrain protected and insulated them. Yet, God pushed the issue. He not only was unhindered by topography but also was able to deal directly with the foundational issue for the Edomites—their arrogance. The Edomites’ arrogance seemed to be rooted in their betrayal of God and God’s people. Both God and Obadiah expected the purveyors of evil to be called into account. Justice must be done, so God acted. 

Some readers may be troubled at Obadiah’s theology at this point, as it seems to diverge from other biblical teachings regarding the love of enemies (Matthew 5:44). Why would God exact such an awful punishment on Edom? Perhaps the answer lies in the truth that we ought to look to God as the One who can indeed right wrongs. In other words, God refrained from taking the Edomites down a notch just because he could. In fact, Jesus clearly taught God is not an “eye-for-an-eye” kind of Lord. God’s retribution, therefore, is more of a call and demand for justice. One could even liken God’s response and righteous anger towards Edom to the wrath displayed by Christ in calling the Temple to task (Matthew 21; John 2). Truly, our only hope for better lives and a better world is God alone.

Show mercy and grace (Obadiah 10-14)

Obadiah 10-14 continues on a theme that began in verse 8 concerning the future Day of the Lord. In fact, Obadiah recounted the ways in which Edom neglected Judah during the precarious days of destruction in 587 B.C. Readers almost can feel Obadiah’s angst as to why Edom did not intervene when Babylon plundered an entire city full of their relatives. Consider that Obadiah likened Edom to Esau, and Obadiah consequently held Edom as an accomplice in the vicious destruction of the once reconciled relationship with Jacob (v. 10). We further learn Edom functioned not only as a passive participant in Judah’s downfall, but also as a willing antagonist who “gloated,” “rejoiced” and “boasted” over the misfortunes of God’s people (v. 12). The Edomites even shunned all Judean refugees and cut off any semblance of hospitality (v. 14).

Readers may want to remember at this point that in Obadiah’s oracle, vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19). Keep in mind Obadiah neither calls nor advocates violence against the Edomites. He leaves the retribution in God’s hands. In fact, Obadiah makes abundantly clear to us that we fall well short of God’s mark when we lack grace and mercy. Either standing idle or willingly and purposefully rejecting one in need comes with great consequences in the eyes of the Lord.

Expect retribution (Obadiah 15-16)

In Obadiah 15-16, the prophet issued a clarion pronouncement regarding the Day of the Lord. Notice the Day will be experienced by “all nations.” That is, Edom will experience the same fate and feelings as Jerusalem. Notice further the thought progression for Obadiah. First, Jerusalem drank from the cup of suffering at the Lord’s behest. Second, the Lord deals with the nations which profited from or participated in Jerusalem’s downfall. Edom will not escape the Lord’s plan.

Live in hope (Obadiah 17)

Obadiah 17 compares well to other language and themes used among the Minor Prophets, especially Joel and Amos. A remnant will survive, rise up and live in a restored kingdom under David’s lineage. Restoration, a key term for the prophets, mostly likely was understood in terms of the people of God getting their land back. From this side of Jesus’ cross, however, we can realize Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s law and prophets. A person receives hope and restoration in a right relationship with God through Christ. Faithful believers can lead lives of tremendous joy with the understanding we are saved by God’s grace through faith.