Obadiah

Obadiah

            Obadiah gives us only his name, so we can only speculate about when he gave his prophecy. On the basis of verses 11-14, which portray Edom as standing by and gloating while an enemy besieges Jerusalem and which condemn Edom for joining in the sack of the city and hunting fugitives—on that basis it seems most likely that Obadiah prophesied around 586 BC, when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem.

            Whatever the occasion of the prophecy, what remains clear is that the Lord regards Edom and Israel as brothers (vv. 10, 12). Edom was descended from Esau, and so, in a historical sense, was exactly Israel’s brother. Edom’s history with Israel was long and checkered, marked by tension, open hostility, and warfare. (Saul and David both made war against Edom.) Of course, the relationship between Jacob and Esau was also rocky, so maybe an ongoing sibling rivalry is not unexpected. Despite this history, Obadiah clearly expected that Edom should have at least stayed out of Israel’s troubles, if not actively helping her. Certainly Edom should not have aided and abetted Israel’s attackers.

            And, so, Edom is treated like just another of the nations: under the Lord’s judgment because of her abuse of God’s holy people.