Day 185 – Obadiah: Theme
“This is the vision that the Sovereign Lord revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom. We have heard a message from the Lord that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say, “Get ready, everyone! Let’s assemble our armies and attack Edom!” Obadiah 1:1 NIV
Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, is a dramatic example of God’s response to anyone who would harm His children. Edom was a mountainous nation, occupying the region southeast of the Dead Sea, where the spectacular city of Petra (discovered by explorers in the early 1800s) is found. As descendants of Esau, the Edomites were blood relatives of the Israelites, and like their father, they were rugged, fierce, and proud warriors with a seemingly invisible mountain home. Of all people, they should have rushed to the aid of their northern relatives. Instead, however, they gloated over Israel’s problems, captured and delivered fugitives to the enemy, and even looted Israel’s countryside.
Obadiah gave God’s message to the Edomites. Because of their indifference to and defiance of God, their cowardice and pride, and their treachery toward their relatives in Judah, they stood condemned and would be destroyed. The book begins with the announcement that disaster was coming to Edom. Despite their seemingly impregnable cliffs and mountains, they would not be able to escape God’s judgment. The prophet gave the reasons for their destruction – their blatant arrogance toward God and their persecution of God’s children (the nation Israel). This concise prophecy ends with a description of the Day of the Lord, when judgment will fall on all who have harmed God’s people.
Prayer: Father, thank You for showing us through the book of Obadiah how You still cared for Your chosen nation even though they were caught up in sin and defiance against You. Also, the importance of not being ignorant or prideful against others. May this book teach us to love our neighbours just as Jesus commanded. Amen.
