Obadiah

OBADIAH

Identity of the Prophet. We do not know who this prophet is—he refers to himself as the “Servant of the Lord”—and he is counted among the Twelve Minor Prophets, which contain just twenty verses. Given the brevity of the book, we might call Obadiah a “minimal prophet”; other anonymous prophets from the Old Testament have written more than he has. However, the number of words matters little when someone has something significant to communicate in the name of God.
To understand this short prophecy, we need to remember several facts: 1. The relationship between the kingdoms of Judah and Edom, rooted in biblical tradition, traces back to the bond between the twin brothers Esau and Jacob, the ancestors of both Judah and Edom. According to Isaac’s blessing (Gn 27), the second will dominate the first—the purchased heir’s rights. The geographic location shows this: Judah, or Jacob, occupies the mountainous region, which is relatively fertile, while Edom, or Esau, lives in the desert-like area to the south. 2. Historically, Edom had either submissive or rebellious relationships with Judah. On one hand, this kingdom sought the southern route with access to the Gulf of Aqaba; on the other hand, it desired the rich mines in that territory. Saul fought the Edomites; David subdued them; Solomon quelled a revolt and strengthened southern dominance, gaining access to the mines and the port of Ezion-Geber.
After Solomon’s death, the kingdom was divided, and the Edomites were able to rebel and pursue independent policies. When Nebuchadnezzar invaded and destroyed Jerusalem, the Edomites sided with the invader, took advantage of the defeat, and celebrated it.

Religious Message. The current prophecy addresses this ultimate sin during a specific historical event. However, in verse 15, the prophecy offers a transcendent view of the day of the Lord, including a universal perspective of “all nations, all peoples” (15-16) and ending in restoration. The prophet condemns the cycle of violence and the inability to overcome past mistakes. He delivers a message of hope to the defeated and exiled people.