Minor Prophets

Obadiah

Obadiah’s name means “Servant of Yahweh” The date of his prophesying, or writing, is difficult to determine, with at least four reasonable options. Placing him around 850 to 840 B.C. in the chart is not through my own analysis, but simply a preference to another’s. Obadiah’s prophecy in this little one-chapter book is focused on Edom, descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, hostile to Israel since before the times of the Exodus. Edom’s pride is attacked (1–4) and her destruction foretold (5–7). Her destruction will be because of her crimes against Israel, her rejoicing when Jerusalem was under attack from the Babylonians being particularly noted (8–14). As with other nations, judgement will come on the Day of the Lord, when Israel will be triumphant and occupy Edom’s territory, and the kingdom will be the Lord’s (15–21).