The Book of Obadiah
Obadiah's name means "servant of the Lord." The prophecy centers around an ancient feud between Edom and Israel. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, and carried a grudge against Israel because Jacob had cheated their ancestor out of his birthright.
The author is Obadiah. The date and place of composition are uncertain.
The book's theme is that Edom is proud of her own security and has gloated over God's people when Israel was devastated by foreign powers, but her participation in that disaster will bring on God's wrath. Edom herself will be destroyed, but Mount Zion and Israel will be delivered, and God's kingdom will triumph.
In verses 1-9, Obadiah declares the wickedness of the Edomites and gives
examples of their pride, “In the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say
in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?” He proclaims God’s judgment on Edom, “Will I not on that day,” declares the LORD, “Destroy wise men from Edom and understanding from the mountain of Esau?” (vs 8).
Verses 10-14 tell of the transgressions and offenses of Edom. Implying that they should have acted like a brother to would to stand for them, since they descended from brothers; Jacob and Esau. “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered with shame, And you will be cut off forever” (vs. 10).
In verses 15-21, we read about the victory of Israel in the end, “Esau’s
house will be as stubble” and “The house of Jacob will be a fire” (vs.
18). Edom was utterly nonexistent by the 1st century A.D.
Foreshadowing of Jesus
Verse 21 of the Book of Obadiah contains a foreshadowing of Christ and His Church. “Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, And the kingdom shall be the LORD’s” (NKJV). These “saviors” (also called “deliverers” in several versions) are the apostles of Christ, ministers of the word, and especially the preachers of the Gospel in these latter days. They are called "saviors," not because they obtain our salvation, but because they preach salvation through the Gospel of Christ and show us the way to obtain that salvation. They, and the Word preached by them, are the means by which the good news of salvation is delivered to all men. While Christ is the only Savior who alone came to purchase salvation, and is the author of it, saviors and deliverers of the Gospel will be more and more in evidence as the end of the age draws near.
continue to Jonah...
The author is Obadiah. The date and place of composition are uncertain.
The book's theme is that Edom is proud of her own security and has gloated over God's people when Israel was devastated by foreign powers, but her participation in that disaster will bring on God's wrath. Edom herself will be destroyed, but Mount Zion and Israel will be delivered, and God's kingdom will triumph.
In verses 1-9, Obadiah declares the wickedness of the Edomites and gives
examples of their pride, “In the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say
in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?” He proclaims God’s judgment on Edom, “Will I not on that day,” declares the LORD, “Destroy wise men from Edom and understanding from the mountain of Esau?” (vs 8).
Verses 10-14 tell of the transgressions and offenses of Edom. Implying that they should have acted like a brother to would to stand for them, since they descended from brothers; Jacob and Esau. “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered with shame, And you will be cut off forever” (vs. 10).
In verses 15-21, we read about the victory of Israel in the end, “Esau’s
house will be as stubble” and “The house of Jacob will be a fire” (vs.
18). Edom was utterly nonexistent by the 1st century A.D.
Foreshadowing of Jesus
Verse 21 of the Book of Obadiah contains a foreshadowing of Christ and His Church. “Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, And the kingdom shall be the LORD’s” (NKJV). These “saviors” (also called “deliverers” in several versions) are the apostles of Christ, ministers of the word, and especially the preachers of the Gospel in these latter days. They are called "saviors," not because they obtain our salvation, but because they preach salvation through the Gospel of Christ and show us the way to obtain that salvation. They, and the Word preached by them, are the means by which the good news of salvation is delivered to all men. While Christ is the only Savior who alone came to purchase salvation, and is the author of it, saviors and deliverers of the Gospel will be more and more in evidence as the end of the age draws near.
continue to Jonah...
