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Of the prophet Obadiah we
know nearly nothing except information included in the book. This
prophesy is also noteworthy because it is the shortest book in the
Old Testament, and because it is the only book written to the
Edomites. A number of prophets deliver a message to the Edomites,
but this is the only book written for them.
This nation of people
are the descendants of Esau the brother of Jacob. It was Esau who
traded his birthright for a meal and later became very upset with
his brother over the bargain. It was actually the children of Esau
who had the rights to be in the lineage of Jesus, and who would have
been the leaders of Judah if Esau had not given away his
birthright.
These people were a constant source of trouble to the
children of Israel for much of Old Testament history and now the
prophet reveals that sure and complete destruction is coming on
them. These people made their home in the rugged country to the
south and east of Judah. This was some of the most impenetrable
country of the whole area. It was in this area that Herod built
Masada, and it is also note worthy that the Herods were Edomites.
The Herods seem to have been chosen because they understood the
Jews, but would not be friendly toward them.
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The first 9 verses
describe the destruction that the Lord has decided to bring on
Edom. Though the land they occupy is one of the best natural
fortifications in the area, the Lord can and will bring them down
to complete destruction. There is no fortification secure
against the wrath of the Lord, and the destruction is going to be
greater than usual when a people are overrun by a
hungry army. There will be a slaughter of all the people of Edom.
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Verses 10 thru 14 speak of the arrogance that the Edomites have shown against their
brothers. They had looked down on their brothers and even help the
foreign nations as attacks were made on Judah. They had been
filled with pride, and had even helped in destroying the fugitives
of Judah.
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The last 7 verses tell
in grim detail of the judgment of the Lord that is to be visited
on the Edomites. The description begins with the promise that the
actions that they have shown toward others will return to them,
and that there will be no deliverance for the people of Edom. The
prophet speaks of a great deliverance for Judah and a great return
for these people, yet for the Edomites we see a total destruction
in store for them. The last statement is the "the kingdom will be
the Lord's". This is a strong reminder that when any nation seeks
to put God out of the picture that they may defeat themselves, but
Jehovah will be the ultimate victor.
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