Prophet Obadiah: Edom Destroyed, Israel Restored
Obadiah was a prophet who name means "servant of God." Not much else is known about him.
The Book of Obadiah was written shortly after Israel was invaded, and its people exiled (c. 586 BC).
When King Nebuchadnezzar II's (r. 605-562) forces invaded Judah, he deported people from Judah to Babylon in 605 BC, again in 597 BC, and again after destroying Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC.
Although the Israelites and Edomites were related, they never got along. When the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land after leaving Egypt, the Edomites did not let them pass through their land.
King Saul (r. 1050-1011 BC) fought against the Edomites, King David (r. 1011-971 BC) defeated them. David's son, King Solomon, reigned from 971-931 BC.
King Herod (r. 72 – c. 4 BC), who wanted to kill the baby who was born "king of the Jews," was an Edomite.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem (c. 6-4 BC), grew up in Nazareth, began his ministry in Galilee, and died in Jerusalem.
This is the vision that the Sovereign Lord revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom.
“The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge all godless nations! As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads.
Just as you swallowed up my people on my holy mountain, so you and the surrounding nations will swallow the punishment I pour out on you. Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger and disappear from history.
“But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape; it will be a holy place. And the people of Israel will come back to reclaim their inheritance.
The people of Israel will be a raging fire, and Edom a field of dry stubble. The descendants of Joseph will be a flame roaring across the field, devouring everything. There will be no survivors in Edom. I, the Lord, have spoken!
“Then my people living in the Negev will occupy the mountains of Edom. Those living in the foothills of Judah will possess the Philistine plains and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria. And the people of Benjamin will occupy the land of Gilead.
The exiles of Israel will return to their land and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath. The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev.
Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem to rule over the mountains of Edom. And the Lord himself will be king!”
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About the Author: Lawrence Jean-Louis is the founder of eBrand Me, a digital marketing agency offering marketing & consultative services to CPAs and tax professionals. She aspires to start a money management firm by 2030.
