Revised by Cory Driver, 8/23
1. Introduction (Obadiah 1-4)
The prophet Obadiah speaks an oracle of the Lord against Edom. Though Edom feels secure living in “the rock” (the Hebrew word for “rock”–Sela–was also the name of a prominent Edomite city), the Lord will bring Edom down.
2. Judgment on Edom (Obadiah 5-9)
Edom’s allies will betray her, and the Lord will destroy both wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, “The fear of the… More teachers and warriors in Edom.
3. Edom’s Sins against JudahJudah was the name of Jacob’s fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. More (Obadiah 10-14)
The prophet lists the reasons for Edom’s punishment: Edom gloated over Judah’s downfall, looted Judah’s goods, and handed over her fugitives to the enemy.
4. The Day of the LordThe Day of the Lord, in prophetic writing, is the day of judgment when God will intervene directly in world affairs. As described in Zephaniah, for instance, God will sweep everything away. In Matthew’s gospel God is described as gathering the elect on the day… More (Obadiah 15-18)
The “day of the LORD” approaches, when all the nations will be punished for their sins; but Judah and Israel (“the house of Joseph”) will be restored and will consume Edom as fire consumes stubble.
5. The Restoration and Expansion of Israel (Obadiah 19-21)
Obadiah’s book ends with a vision of Israel and Judah restored and their territory expanded. Those on Mount ZionZion originally referred to a mountain near Jerusalem where David conquered a Jebusite stronghold. Later the term came to mean a number of other things like the Temple, Jerusalem, and even the Promised Land. More (in Judah) will rule over those on Mount EsauSon of Isaac and Rebekah and the older twin brother of Jacob. More (in Edom) and the kingdom will belong to the Lord.
