In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
OBADIAH
The Book of Obadiah is the fourth of the twelve books of
the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. The name Obadiah
comes from the Hebrew word Obadyah meaning, “servant of
God”. The book of Obadiah contains only 21 verses making it
the shortest book in the Holy Bible. There is some
uncertainty about the time of Obadiah’s ministry. The
historical context of scripture indicates a time from c.
845-841 BC, during the reign of Jehoram, king of Judah. This
makes Obadiah the earliest prophet followed by
Joel c.
835-796 BC. The prophecies of Obadiah, Joel,
Jonah, Amos,
Hosea, Isaiah and
Micah overlapped in an era from c. 845-670
BC.
During the reign of Jehoram, the Philistines and Arabians invaded
Judah. Edom, a neighbor of Judah, refused to assist Judah. Instead, Edom
rejoiced over the plundering of Jerusalem. Edom had a consistent history
of refusing to help Israel. This was especially grievous in God’s sight
because both were distant kinsman. While Judah had descended from Jacob,
Edom had descended from Jacobs’s twin brother, Esau. Edom’s continuous
hostility and cruelty against Judah precipitated her utter destruction
by God. This was a somber judgment because Obadiah made no call to
repentance, offered no comfort, and worse of all, gave no hope for Edom.
God would cut off Edom forever.
Obadiah also prophesied that God’s people,
Israel, would again posses
their land including the lands of Edom and the Philistines. Israel will be the
Lord’s kingdom. At the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah,
Christ will return to judge the nations and restore Jerusalem and
Israel
to Himself. Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Christ as their
Savior will join in the celebration of redemption.
Obadiah verses 1-18: Vision of Obadiah; the sins of Edom; the
judgment of Edom and all nations
Obadiah versus 19-21: Israel’s repossession of her land; God’s rule
over His kingdom