THE BOOK OF OBADIAH
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
Introduction:
Internal evidence seems to fix the date of Obadiah’s ministry in the reign of the bloody Athaliah, 2 Kings 8:16-26. If this be true, and if the ministry of Joel was during the reign of Joash, then Obadiah is chronologically first of the writing prophets, and first to use the formula, “the day of the Lord.” – Scofield.
Obadiah seems “to be contemporary with Jeremiah and Ezekiel, with whose prophecies this agrees, as may be observed by comparing it with Jeremiah 49:1-39; Ezekiel 25:1-17; and to have lived and prophesied after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; in which the Edomites, against whom he prophesies, had a concern; see Obadiah 1:11-14; Psalms 137:7.” — John Gill’s Expositor.
The Prophecy of Obadiah Centers around an ancient feud between Edom and Israel. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, and had a grudge against Israel because Jacob had cheated their ancestor out of his birthright, Genesis 25:21-34; 27:41.
Author: Most likely Obadiah.
Key Thought: Obadiah 1:10, “For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.” The Edomites refused Israel a passage through their country, Numbers 20:14-21. They rejoiced over the capture of Jerusalem, Psalms 137:7.
A Brief Summary of the Book:
1) The Doom of Edom for their pride and wrong unto Jacob, Obadiah 1–16.
2) The Deliverance of the Chosen People, and the inclusion of Edom in the future Kingdom, Obadiah 17–21; Numbers 24:18.
Spiritual Lesson: God’s special providential care over the Jews and the certainty of punishment upon those who persecute them.