Obadiah

עובדיה

1 Chapter, 21 verses, 670 words.

Author

    The author's name is Obadiah, which means "servant (or worshiper) of the Lord." "His was a common name (1Ki 18:3-16; 1Ch 3:21; 7:3; 8:38; 9:16; 12:9; 27:19; 2Ch 17:7; 34:12; Ez 8:9; Ne 10:5; 12:25). Neither his father's name nor the place of his birth is given. 

Date and Place of Writing

    The date and place of composition are disputed. Dating the prophecy is mainly a matter of relating vv. 11-14 to one of two specific events in Israel's history: 

    1. The rebellion of Edom against Judah during the reign of Jehoram (853-841 B.C.); 2 Ki 8:20-22; 2Ch 21:8-15. In this case, Obadiah would be a contemporary of Elisha. 

    2. The Babylonian attacks on Jerusalem (605-586). Obadiah would then be a contemporary of Jeremiah. This alternative seems more likely. 

    The striking parallels between Ob 1-6 and Jer 49:9-10,14-16 have caused many to suggest some kind of interdependence between Obadiah and Jeremiah, but it may be that both prophets were drawing on a common source not otherwise known to us.    

Unity and Theme

    There is no compelling reason to doubt the unity of this brief prophecy, the shortest book on the OT. Its theme is that Edom, proud over her own security, has gloated over Israel's devastation by foreign powers. However. Edom's participation in that disaster will bring on God's wrath. She herself will be destroyed, but Mount Zion and Israel will be delivered, and God's kingdom will triumph.  

    Edom's hostile activities have spanned the centuries of Israel's existence. The following Biblical references are helpful in understanding the relation of Israel and Edom: Ge 27:41-45; 32:1-21; 33; 36; Ex 15:15; Nu 20:14-21; Dt 2:1-6; 23:7-8; 1Sa 22 with Ps 52; 2Sa 8:13-14; 2Ki 8:20-22; 14:7; Ps 83; Eze 35; Joel 3:18-19: Am 1:11-12: 9:11-12. 

    Since the Edom are related to the Israelites (v.10), their hostility is all the more reprehensible. Edom is fully responsible for her failure to assist Israel and for her open aggression. The fact that God rejected Esau (Ge 25:23; Mal 1:3; Ro 9:13) in no exonerates the Edomites. Edom, smug in its mountain strongholds, will be dislodged and sacked. But Israel will prosper because God is with her.   

The Rulers and Prophets of Obadiah's Time

930	920	910	900	890	880	870	860	850	840	830	820	810	800	790	780	770
Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom)						874 Ahab 853			841    Jehu    814
								Ahaziah
								Jehoram(Joram)852-841
Prophets to Israel (Northern Kingdom)					876        Elijah        852				852           Elisha          796
Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom)						873 Jehoshap 848			Ahaziah 841
						Jehoram(Joram)853-841				835 Joash (Jehoash) 796
									Q.Athaliah 841-835
Obadiah and His Contemporary Prophets (Southern Kingdom)									OBADIAH  841-825		Joel      825-809
							Jahaziel 835-835
930	920	910	900	890	880	870	860	850	840	830	820	810	800	790	780	770

Outline

Notes

Introduction