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.
2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
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?
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.
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?
6 How are [the things] of Esau searched out! [how] are his hidden things sought up!
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.
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?
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.
10 For [thy] violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
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.
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.
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;
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.
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.
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.
17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
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].
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.
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.
21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.
Overview of Obadiah Chapter 1
The Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only one chapter. It is a prophetic text that centers on the theme of judgment against Edom, a nation that descended from Esau, Jacob’s brother. The chapter serves as a warning and a declaration of God’s sovereignty over the nations, emphasizing the consequences of pride and betrayal.
Thematic Elements
- Divine Judgment: The chapter opens with a declaration of God’s judgment against Edom, highlighting the inevitability of divine retribution.
- Pride and Arrogance: Edom’s pride is a central theme, showcasing how their arrogance leads to their downfall.
- Retributive Justice: The text illustrates the principle of retributive justice, where the actions of Edom against Israel will result in their own destruction.
- Restoration of Israel: The chapter concludes with a promise of restoration for Israel, indicating hope and redemption for God’s people.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-4: A declaration of judgment against Edom.
- Verses 5-9: The consequences of Edom’s actions and their impending destruction.
- Verses 10-14: A recounting of Edom’s betrayal of Israel and the resulting punishment.
- Verses 15-21: A final proclamation of the day of the Lord and the ultimate victory of Israel.
Key Verses and Analysis
Each section of the chapter contains significant verses that encapsulate the main messages of Obadiah.
Verses 1-4: The Call to Judgment
These verses introduce the vision of Obadiah concerning Edom. The messenger from God declares that Edom will be humbled, emphasizing the futility of their pride. The imagery of being brought down from the heights symbolizes their loss of power and status.
Verses 5-9: The Consequences of Edom’s Actions
Here, Obadiah describes the devastation that will befall Edom. The metaphors of thieves and grape harvesters illustrate the complete loss of security and prosperity. The mention of wise men and mighty warriors being cut off indicates a total collapse of their societal structure.
Verses 10-14: Betrayal and Punishment
This section details Edom’s betrayal of Israel during times of distress. The accusations against Edom highlight their failure to assist their brother nation, which leads to a curse upon them. The emphasis on violence and betrayal underscores the moral failing of Edom.
Verses 15-21: The Day of the Lord
The final verses focus on the concept of the “day of the Lord,” a time of reckoning for all nations. The promise of deliverance for Israel contrasts sharply with the impending doom for Edom. The chapter concludes with a vision of God’s kingdom being established, symbolizing hope for the oppressed.
Conclusion
Obadiah Chapter 1 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and betrayal. It illustrates the certainty of divine judgment while also offering hope for restoration. The chapter’s succinctness does not diminish its depth, as it encapsulates profound theological themes relevant to both ancient and contemporary audiences.
