Verse by Verse Study of Obadiah

Grace and peace to you brother and sisters. I continue to labor in the word, and want to share some of my notes on Obadiah. Please feel free to comment and add your own insights.

1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.

Obadiah means servant or worshiper of God, it is possible for this to be a name as well as a title. He receives a vision from the Lord, this happens generally through a vivid dream, or being in a trance like state, but the importance lies in the substance of the message since it is directly delivered from God. Obadiah is bringing nothing forth from his own intellect or reason, but is simply a messenger of God, relaying to the people the images that were revealed and for this reason his audience ought to attend to it carefully. The prophecy is unique from the perspective that Edom is the focus of the message and their sin, not Israel or Judah. The word Edom means red, relating to his father Esau which means red, and hairy. Esau settled in the area known as Edom occupying a people called the horites.

There were rumors or reports, surfacing during the times of the prophecy, which often is the case prior to war, but the key difference in this report is it is coming directly from Yahweh. He was stirring up the heathen nations to battle against Edom, and this sentiment was spreading across their nations like wildfire because the Lord was fanning the flames of war as a judgment against the conduct of Edom. This upcoming battle would not be initiated because of human will, but through the power which God exerted over the minds of the nations who would oppose Edom. Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle is the voice of the herald who would be spreading this message throughout the lands, through whatever means God would use.

2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.


The Edomites had a prideful and elevated view of themselves, believing they would have safety in their well fortified and defended lands, but in the mind of Yahweh they were already made small. The prophet here speaks from a point of view describing an event as if it has already happened, but at the time this was written this prophecy had yet to be fulfilled. Such is the trusthworthiness, and reliability of the word of God. This was also a common mode of speaking for the prophets. In comparison to their neighbors the nation of Edom was also small, God had given them the land of Mount Seir as an inheritance, but it was not as if the people ever became a global empire or were ever powerful enough to be immune from neighboring nations. They often had to rely on their cunning, and perceived wisdom to make alliances with surrounding nations to help ensure the safety of their nation. God would show them however that they put too much faith in friends who would later betray them. They would become despised amongst the nations because of their actions with God working as the chief agent who would act to change the hearts of their allies from current friend, to future foe.

3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?


The Edomites had exalted themselves instead of God, and took peace in their own security. They were deceived in their hearts, in that the nation really had nothing to boast of, but what little they did (their natural defense and fortifications) they magnified convincing themselves they were impregnable. Those who display this proud and arrogant demeanor of being beyond the reach or reproach of God, are the ones who God seeks to humble the most. God can quickly bring any of his creatures to their knees if they defy Him and provoke His wrath. Nothing can stop the power of God, or stop His judgments when the time is at hand. We as God's creation are completely at His mercy. This is stated by Jesus in Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.


God points out the absurdity in this pride in stating that it does not matter how elevated, or how fortified a location is that when the time is right, God can easily cast it down to the ground. There was than no substance, or reason in their boasting, and the fact they behaved in this manner shows how deceived they were by Satan. The Hebrew word for pride (zodon) comes from a verb meaning to boil up (zid) and the imagery that comes from a boiling pot of water gives a good picture of what prides looks like. The Edomites were like the bubbles in a boiling pot of water, thrusting themselves up, but were in reality as fragile as a bubble that could be easily popped. Their claims were empty, and had no substance beneath the surface. God would in fact be the one who would burst their bubble giving them a reality check to show them who they really were.


5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?


Obadiah gives two examples here of how complete the destruction and pillaging of their city would be. The two situations used are a robber coming in to a home to steal goods, and grapegatherers bringing in a harvest. In the first situation a thief would come in and take only what was valuable, and what he believed he could carry away without getting caught. The end results would be loss of goods that the victim labored to obtain, but there would still be some things left that the thief never got his hands on. The conquerors would differ from this in that their plundering would be much more liberal, so much more than normal as to leave the Edomites empty of any possessions at all. The thief would not have to worry about being caught or chased off, but the complete victory achieved would permit the enemies to take their time in the plunder, knowing there would be no resistance to rise up against them. The prophet interjects with how art thou cut off as if in astonishment of what he is seeing, the complete destruction of a nation.

The second scenario is similar to the first. No harvest of grapes was 100% efficient; there exists the possibility that some grapes could be missed during their collection due to a lack of attentiveness, or some would be hidden and difficult to access so they would too would go unnoticed by the worker. There would be not one grape left behind for them, the pillaging would be total and devastating. A citizen of Judah who read this prophecy would understand the completeness of the destruction. In their society some grapes would get purposefully left behind for the poor to eat so they would not starve, however in this scenario there was not even this left for them. From this perspective the Edomites would be left in a situation where their well being was worse than even that of the poorest in Judah.

6 How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!


Petra being the rocky place that it was, had many clefts which served as good hiding places to store valuables in. There would be certain areas that were hard to access in the land because of its geography and exploration would be near impossible. The invading army would be greatly exposed to danger if they accessed these regions. An invading army would often avoid such dangerous places fearing there would be a trap or an ambush if they traveled there. The prophet reveals that their defeat would be so sound, that there would be no area they felt fearful to search out. Edom was a commercial center because of the many caravans that traveled through it, and it also contained copper mines as well as fertile soil. There was most likely hidden commercial storehouses which this verse speaks of. The fact that the search would be so thorough and so methodical shows the completeness of the defeat.


7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.


God can influence and help to change the minds of men, and this is what happened in the case of Edom's allies. Their powerful allies who they had come to trust in so much for their protection would become the source of their downfall. Former friends would become enemies, pushing them to the furthermost regions of their borders as they retreated from the defeat. They would have nowhere to turn, or have any nation to seek refuge in, and this deception would baffle the minds of their wisest men. It was not customary or common for Arabs to turn on their allies, and these were men Edom had come to believe were trustworthy friends. These were men they ate and broke bread with, they were certain that those who they treated with such hospitality would not return their kindness with treachery. It would for Edom be their undoing, and there is a certain sense of irony in the situation that the very thing Edom had come to trust in for their security would be the source of their destruction and demise. God would do this to humble this proud people, and it is very much an eye for an eye justice. Edom through alliances had joined in on the sacking of Jerusalem, and Edom at the hands of their former allies would experience a similar downfall.

8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?


In that day is a reference to the day of temporal judgment against the Edomites which serves as a prelude or shadow of the destruction that awaits the nations who will rebel against God and His people. The Edomites were well known for their wisdom, having been in contact with Egypt as well as Babylon from caravans that passed to and from Europe and India. They could glean knowledge from these civilizations, however the Edomites used this wisdom for cunning, and used this gift in an unworthy manner. They began to use crafty deception to form alliances against God's people, seeking their ruin. God would take away this wisdom they boasted in, and would cause a fog to be cast over their eyes. They would not be able to perceive, or anticipate the betrayal of the nations they trusted and their wise men would be revealed as foolish for ever having confidence in their allies. Those enemies of God who misuse their gifts for evil will one day have to be accountable before God, and will be brought to shame for their actions.


9 And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.


The strength of man as well as his intellect rests in the hands of God to be upheld. The enemies of God are quick to attribute these qualities to themselves, not to their creator, and so their pride serves as a stumbling block to belief in the sovereign power of God. Teman was a city, and an area of Edom, Teman being a grandson of Esau. They were tied into early Edom chieftains and leaders. The people seeing their most bravest soldiers fall in battle would lose all courage and heart. The scene that follows is one of a brutal genocide committed by the invading armies in this verse. All things are upheld by God, and can be tore down by Him. The characteristics that leads man to hold on to a position of vain self sufficiency can easily be taken away, and the result is his own tragic undoing.


10 For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.


The destruction that fell on Judah was met with celebration from Edom. Edom took a delight in the plight of their brother, and it is for this reason that the Lord sent judgment against their nation. There was violence done to them which is described later in this prophecy, but Edom had become opportunistic after the fall of Judah. Not only did they rejoice in the fall of God's people, but they used it is a chance to satisfy the blood lust that had corrupted their minds. They had become a curse to the land of Judah, and those who curse God's people in return get cursed as per the covenant agreement that Yahweh made with Israel. Their lack of compassion for their blood ties showed the degree to which their minds had degenerated, and how set in their sin had become. Though they had been descendants of Abraham their ungodly conduct showed that they had completely abandoned faith in Jehovah, showing no fear of retribution from Him, and through their animal like behavior had totally alienated themselves from Him. Those who are hard set in rebellion against God, and glory in their sin await His condemnation. God will chastise His people for a season, but those who through their own hardheartedness become reprobate will have no part in the promises of God.

11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.


This verse describes in more detail the nature of the violence and evils committed against Judah. They had formed alliances with those who invaded Jerusalem, most likely not taking up arms with them to lay siege to the city, but idly sitting back to do nothing to support their brother in their time of need. The day, as is customary in the Old Testament does not necessarily refer to a 24 hour period, but refers to a period of time that is distinctly different from any other regular period of time. Their inactivity, and apathy toward the sufferings of their neighbor, stood out as an offense to God. Doing nothing to help someone in need shows a lack of compassion and love for the common man, and this is magnified even further by the fact that they shared in the same blood lines, having Isaac as a common ancestor. Furthermore, it was not just a position of neutrality that they held, being fearful of powerful foreign nations, but they stood on the sidelines rooting on those who were bringing destruction to God's holy city. God in this situation is able to peer past the empty facades that these men hid behind to see into their heart and the true wickedness that rejoiced in human suffering. Jerusalem had lost its independent rule, having foreigners in their gates and Edom could not have been more delighted by this new order established. There were forces that were carried away, which also can be rendered wealth and most likely involved both. They gambled or drew lots over who would get which portion of the spoils, Edom through their abandonment of Judah stood on the side of the attackers, and were circling like vultures waiting to consume the remnant that was left after the siege of the city.


12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.


Edom looked on with eager anticipation for the day a calamity would fall on Judah, they lied in hiding like an animal waiting for the opportune time to pounce on its prey. When the time came they rejoiced in it. When Judah became a stranger speaks of the time when God had removed His divine protection over the land allowing them to be conquered, and revoking their blessings of security due to their sin. God sent this as a chastisement for His people to learn from, but Edom added to this judgment by afflicting them further than what God had desired. God only intended for the glory of the kingdom to be dimmed for a season to purify His people, so they would return to loyal worship. The Edomites had gloated in this, not showing any compassion but behaved as a vindictive brother thinking they were somehow superior to Judah since God had delayed His judgment for a brief period. God would soon reveal to Edom His displeasure, making it known to them the degree to which He abhorred their proud behavior.

13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;


Lost in the English interpretation is the play on words used, calamity meaning edam, was quickly approaching the nation Edom. The Edomites had no business looting the holy land and defiling it with their greedy blood soaked hands. Little did they know however, that the current scenes of woe and destruction would soon be on their front door step. By entering and looting the holy land they were showing a complete lack of reverence or fear from God. This land was part of Jacob's inheritance, and they did not respect the God given boundaries that Jehovah established. The pillaged city and land of Judah would stand as mirror into the future which was soon approaching. There is a progression seen in the wickedness in Edom throughout the verses which speak of the actions that brought forward their judgment. They began with apathy, doing nothing while their brother was attacked, which turned into a vain pride seeing destruction fall on Judah while they maintained their independence and wealth, to exploitation and hatred taking advantage of Judah when they were in their most vulnerable state which is revealed in the next verse.


14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.


Physical harm and violence were done to God's people at the hands of Edom. It shows a certain barbaric or beast like cruelty in this verse, that could have only come from a people who were consumed by evil hatred. The Judean fugitives who were leaving Jerusalem were met at some fork in the road or path by the Edomites, and were slaughtered by them. They showed no compassion, or sympathy on those who were destitute, and had just lost everything. Instead they saw this situation as an opportunity to exact vengeance for all the wrongs they had felt were committed to them throughout the nations history. The ones they did not kill, were sold into slavery to the enemy. The invading forces may not have been fully aware of all the local escape routes out of the city, but Edom due to its proximity would have been familiar with the landscape. They stood in the way of the Judeans fleeing by setting up ambushes or blockades along the paths that could have led to safety, rubbing salt in their wounds so to speak.

15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.


The day of the Lord's intervention for His people will result in the destruction of all enemies to God and Israel, with the nation of Edom serving as a representation, or a type of all the nations of the world who rebel against God. God's people in Israel will one day be exalted, and the judgment pronounced on Edom extends not just to Edom but to all the heathen who behave in a similar fashion. The events that occurred in Jerusalem and Edom serve as a framework of the time when the Lord will return to the earth to reign, establishing His kingdom that will never fall. Whoever chooses not to submit to His rule, and accept His sovereign command over all nations will face judgment for being rebellious to the will of God. The Hebrew particle ki begins verse 15 and 16 meaning for, which means these verses give the reasons as to why Edom would experience the wrath of God, and regret their actions. The chief reason being the day of the Lord was knocking on their door and very near to them which would serve as a comfort to Judah who had just experienced such a devastating defeat. The defeat was made worse by the actions of Edom, so at this low point in their history they would need words which would reassure them that Jehovah was still on their side, willing to intervene in this matter for them. This day of the Lord has a universal application as outlined in the verse, showing this seemingly small conflict between two relatively small nations was of great significance to the world. It parallels chapter 3 in Joel, of the defeat of God's enemies and exaltation of God's people.


What can not be lost in this judgment is that it is perfectly equitable, in that God does not exceed his punishment to those who have wronged His people, but measures out the same punishment which fit the crime. He will handle Edom in the same manner that they treated Judah, judging them in direct proportion to their behavior. We are not told what the agent of judgment would be, but the Lord would be overseeing the matter to ensure that justice was served. The day of the Lord helps to link the events of the past with the events of the future. The day where the enemies of God have met their fate as a result of their rebellion has yet to come, although what we have seen throughout history is a great political and cultural decline in once great empires who opposed Israel, such as Babylon and Egypt, who now currently existed as shells of what they once were. These declines fail to meet what is outlined in Obadiah's prophecy. In the future judgment will not occur on a handful of nations who opposed Israel but all nations which will be followed by an age of blessing and prosperity the world has never seen. There is also a symbolism here seen of the enemies of God who delight in the failures of His elect, causing them to experience additional sufferings and hardships that go beyond the intended chastisement that God had sent. They will see judgment for these actions, but in the meantime the elect will struggle with the flesh, not seeing complete victory over it until the return of Christ. Likewise, though some of God's past enemies may have been subdued throughout the course of history, the full and complete victory over them will not occur until the return of Christ. The discipline of God often falls on His own first as a warning of a much greater punishment that will fall on unbelievers. 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? This is for the intent of purification, and should not stand as a reason for the ungodly to proudly boast, believing themselves to be beyond the reach of God's wrath.


16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.


This brings to mind a scene of celebration, as they drank on God's holy mountain, rejoicing over the victory they had just secured. There was soon approaching a day when they will have to drink from another cup, and it the same cup Judah drank from in this bitter day of judgment. The invaders had profaned God's holy place that day, the place where He had decided to make His presence known. Though Judah would see a time of calamity, a remnant would be preserved, and their kingdom would be restored but this is not the same fate that awaits the enemies of God. They will drink from the cup of God's wrath continually, wave after wave of judgment until they are literally removed from the face of the planet. The sin of Edom and the enemies of God is to live their lives in a way that continuously mocks and rejects His authority, so they would in turn endure a lasting punishment, being as though they had never existed when the day of the Lord comes. We are currently living in the times of the Gentiles; a time when Israel will be trodden down by Gentile nations. Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. This period ends when Christ returns to restore the nation to prominence.

17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.


There will be a role reversal on the day of the Lord between Judah and Edom. Mount Zion the place where many of the fugitives were cut down would become the spot where their deliverance would come from. The place that had become desecrated through foreign invasion would be restored and made holy again. God will not forget His promises that He makes to His people, and the land that was promised to Jacob's house will be given back to its rightful heirs. Mount Zion had come to be designated as the entire city of Jerusalem, choosing this mount to be the place where He would be worshiped. He reassures His people in this verse that He is faithful, they could expect deliverance and justice to eventually be done for the evil acts committed against them. God's people carry with them the promise of restoration, while the His enemies will have judgment. During the millennial reign the Jews will have all of their God given land which they had lost, returned to them.


18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it.


The Israelites in the future would consume Edom, like a fire burning up stubble; fire being a tool of God's judgment in scripture, as well as having symbolism to purification. The destruction would be total, and what had been the cause of defilement to God's land would be removed. The tribes of Joseph refer to the ten tribes of Israel, showing they would not be shut out of the future deliverance. The house of Jacob refers to the southern kingdom of Judah, so there will be a reunification of God's divided people during this time. They would serve as the tools or instruments of God's justice against His enemies. We see a partial fulfillment of this prophecy when the Maccabees conquered Edom's territory, but the remainder of the heathen nations still wait for their judgment. Obadiah saw the destruction of all Gentile nations who opposed Israel, but since the Jews had rejected Christ during His first advent, they would have to wait until His second coming to get their full vindication.


19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.


Great expansion will occur under the Lord's rule with land that would be added from Edom, Phillistia, Samaria and Ammon. These nations had spread out to control areas of Israel and Judah which had become vacated by Israel during the exiles that occurred during the Assyrian invasion in the north (722 BC) and the Babylonian invasion in the south (587 BC).The Judahites that were in the Negev would posses Mount Esau, those at the foothills (Shephelah) will possess the land of the Phillistines to the west, the remnant of the northern tribes will occupy Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin would occupy Gilead in the hills of the transjordan. By Malachi's time (450 BC) Edom had suffered a terrible defeat, but not to the degree which Obadiah prophesied of. Events which follow Edom's decline serves as a shadow or glimpse of the type of fate that awaits those who pit themselves against the sovereign ruler of the universe.

20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.


The focus on this verse is the exiles who would return to the promise land, and the expansion in the Negev region in the south. They would expand their northwest borders all the way to Zerepath (south of Sidon). It is something of a mystery as to where these captive were that are spoken of being Sepharad. There are multiple views, some believing it to be Sardis, or a territory in Media in Spain, but the verse is best understood by not trying to nail down a location, but rather to understand that the term Sepharad refers to the furthermost places of exiles that the Jews were sent. Regardless of how far they had been detached from the promise land, they would return to help establish the borders of the new kingdom.


21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.


Saviors is best rendered deliverers, who would be the forces which God uses to administer his justice against Edom. God's central government will be located on mount Zion in the day of the Lord. There will be pure worship on the holy mount, and it will stand in great contrast to Edom which was a mount that profaned the name of Jehovah. The Lord will than finally take his rightful place as king after the judgment of the nations of the world. The intervention of God for His people to defeat their enemies is how this prophecy ends. What joy it is to know that the victory is won for the elect, it is only a matter of time before this glorious kingdom is established.

Father as we wait for your return may we deal with those who oppose us with grace and mercy, not gloating in the failures of our enemies but rather maintain a humble spirit so as to not to fall into error ourselves. May we find peace knowing that you are our avenger, the perfect judge who will bring justice for all the injustice we currently see in our world. May we find peace in knowing that you will establish Your kingdom here, and may we be aware that the world's eyes are set upon us. I ask for the power through Your Holy Spirit to make us into what you would have us be so that we may be salt and light to a decaying world. Thank You Lord for loving us, even in our rebellion. Purify for Yourself a people who walk worthy of their calling. In Jesus name I pray.