THE MESSAGE OF OBADIAH
Dr. David L. Cooper
Biblical Research Monthly
October 1954

As to when Obadiah engaged in his ministry, it is impossible for us to say; for there is so very little data appearing in his short book that will lend any clue as to the time.

There are similarities between the oracle of Obadiah and the oracle regarding Edom spoken by Jeremiah 49:7-22. When anyone compares these two passages of scripture, he is of the profound conviction that one incorporated material from the other's oracle. As to which is the older, no one can say. It is altogether possible that Obadiah lived before Jeremiah, and that the latter was led by the Spirit of God to adopt certain sentences and words of his predecessor concerning Edom. Or it may be that Obadiah was the later prophet, and that he was led to quote from Jeremiah. It is immaterial which spoke first. All we have to recognize is the fact that there are similarities and compare one with the other to ascertain as much as possible the full import of the message.

Edom's Pride to Be Humbled

From verses 1-4 it is quite evident that pride was the besetting sin of the descendants of Esau. Their country was more or less of a mountainous nature, especially in the vicinity of Petra, which was a very strong fortress, and which was on the international highways running north and south and the caravan routes crossing the Arabian Desert.

The feeling that one is secure from attacks from others, and that one has that which ministers to the comforts of life, very frequently cause people to become proud, haughty, and self-sufficient. This undoubtedly was the attitude of the Edomites.

The Land of Edom to Be Laid Waste

According to verses 5-9 that land of Edom was to be pillaged and plundered. The prophet showed that thieves would steal only enough to satisfy their wants, but unlike this are to be those who plunder and pillage the country of Edom.

In verse 9 we see that the mighty men are to be cut off in Teman, "to the end that every one may be cut off from the mount of Esau by slaughter." This prediction reminds one of that which is found in Isaiah 34:5-17.

The Edomites Rejoicing Over Israel's Calamity

In verses 10-14 we see that the Edomites rejoice over Israel when their day of disaster, distress, destruction, and calamity comes upon them. The prophet piles up these words which denote destruction. They are: "the day of his disaster," "the day of their destruction," "the day of distress," "the day of their calamity," "their affliction," "in the day of their calamity," and 'the day of distress."

Believing scholars have sought in vain in the history of Israel to find any time that the Edomites did anything such as these statements describe. It is true that there were always on the part of the Edomites a jealousy and an envy of the Israelites, but there is no hint at any such actions as are described in verses 10-14 of Obadiah.

Since there is nothing in the past that answers to this prediction, it certainly must be in the future. Because of the prophets piling up these various words denoting destruction and disaster, I come to the conclusion that this is something that the Edomites, or their descendants, will do toward the Jews when the latter are in the time of their affliction-in the Tribulation, or thereabouts.

The Day of Jehovah

The day of Jehovah is spoken of in verses 15 and 16. The nations of the world will drink the cup of staggering which Israel has drunk and will stagger and reel to their destruction, as the prophet Jeremiah has shown.

Israel Restored and Blessed

According to verses 17-21 at the end of the day of Jehovah the kingdom will be restored to Israel at the coming of the Messiah, who will reign in Jerusalem from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth, "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be Jehovah's."