Podcast Introduction

Today is prophecy Friday, and we’re going to read the entire book of Obadiah. All one chapter.  I’ll have some comments after the reading. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode  “Treat Your Brother Well."

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Ahmad Qaisieh on Unsplash

Comments on Obadiah

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, but that does not take away from its value. It is, after all, the Word of God. 

The name Obadiah means "Worshipper of Yahweh" or "Servant of Yahweh."

We don’t really know who this Obadiah fellow was, though. There are thirteen Obadiahs in the Old Testament. Some think that he is the Obadiah that was a servant in Ahab’s household as in 1 Kings 18:3. If this is he, then he was the man who hid and fed the prophets spoken about in that chapter. Others think that this Obadiah was a man who lived some time later, at around the same time as Hosea, Joel and Amos. And still others believe that he lived around the time that the Edomites destroyed Jerusalem.

All of the other Old Testament prophets delivered messages either to Israel or Judah. Obadiah was sent only to Edom. 

So who were the Edomites? They were descended from Esau. Esau was the brother of Jacob. Both of them were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was sometimes called Edom, which means "red", so Esau may have had red hair.

In Numbers 20 when Israel was still wandering in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land, Moses asked for permission to pass through the Edomites' land, and they were denied. Instead, Edom threatened to attack Israel if they tried to go through.

There were many times in the Old Testament when Edom came against Israel or Judah. Sometimes they were defeated. Other times they were the victors. And they fought alongside the Jews against Rome in 66-70 A.D. In this war, Edom was completely annihilated, fulfilling verses 10 and 18 of Obadiah's prophecy.

The judgement of God against Edom because of their intense pride and treatment of Israel and Judah (who were descendants of Jacob) over the years.

Obadiah concludes with the words "And the kingdom will be the Lord’s." These are encouraging words to God's people, that even when they may suffer at the hands of evil people, He will judge them for their misdeeds. There will be justice.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1 NASB

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