Obadiah: Judgment on Edom

Judgement on Edom, vv. 1-14		Impact of the Day of the Lord, vv. 15-21
Announced, vv. 1-9	Explained, vv. 10-14	On the nations, vv. 15-16	On Israel, vv. 17-21

Major Characters

• Obadiah (“servant of the Lord”) — nothing more is known of him. Even the time of his prophecy is unsure although tied to an Edomite attack on Jerusalem.

Major words/phrases

• In the day… (vv. 11, 12, 13, 14)
• The day of the Lord (v. 15)

Major themes

• Judgement on Israel’s enemies
• Deliverance of God’s people

Edom

Edom is the nation descended from Esau, Jacob’s brother (Gen. 25:22-34). When Israel came out of Egypt, the Edomites would not allow the Israelites to pass through their land (Num. 20:14-21). According to Obadiah, they watched as Jerusalem was invaded (v. 11); rejoiced over their destruction (v. 12); entered the city (v. 13); and cut off those who tried to escape (v. 14). Their destruction was repeatedly prophesied (Isa. 34:5,6; Jer. 49:7-18; Ezek. 25:13; 35:1-15; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:11; Mal. 1:3, 4), and remarkably fulfilled.

See Bible Knowledge Commentary: Obadiah on v. 15 regarding the Day of the Lord.