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¹ The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
² Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
³ The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
⁴ Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.
⁵ If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?
⁶ How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
⁷ All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.
⁸ Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
⁹ And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
¹⁰ For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
¹¹ In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.
¹² But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
¹³ Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;
¹⁴ Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.
¹⁵ For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
¹⁶ For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
¹⁷ But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
¹⁸ And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord hath spoken it.
¹⁹ And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
²⁰ And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
²¹ And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.
🌄 The Vision of Obadiah: Justice, Judgment, and Restoration
“The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.” – Obadiah 1:1
The Book of Obadiah, though the shortest book in the Old Testament, delivers a powerful prophecy against the nation of Edom. Obadiah’s vision reveals the consequences of pride, betrayal, and violence against God’s people. The chapter calls both ancient Edom and modern readers to recognize God’s justice and His sovereignty over nations. Obadiah reminds us that pride leads to downfall, but restoration is promised to those who trust in the Lord.
📖 For more prophetic insight, explore Isaiah Chapter 1 and the Book of the Prophets.
📜 Structure of Obadiah
Verses 1–9: The Pride and Fall of Edom
God’s judgment is declared upon Edom for its arrogance. Though Edom dwelt in the clefts of the rocks and believed itself untouchable, the Lord declares He will bring them down. Their alliances, wisdom, and strength will fail them in the day of reckoning.
“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee… though thou exalt thyself as the eagle… thence will I bring thee down.” (Obadiah 1:3–4)
Verses 10–14: Edom’s Violence Against Jacob
Edom is condemned not only for pride but also for its violence against Judah. They stood aloof as Jerusalem was invaded, even rejoicing and looting the city. Their betrayal is especially grievous because Edom and Israel descended from twin brothers—Esau and Jacob.
“Thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother… neither shouldest thou have rejoiced.”(Obadiah 1:12)
Verses 15–16: The Day of the Lord
Obadiah shifts to a broader judgment—one that will come upon all nations. “As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee.” God’s justice is impartial and thorough. The “day of the Lord” will bring retribution upon the wicked.
“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen.” (Obadiah 1:15)
Verses 17–21: Deliverance and Restoration for Zion
Though Edom will fall, Zion will rise. God promises deliverance and holiness on Mount Zion. The house of Jacob will possess their inheritance, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s. This ending highlights hope, restoration, and God’s eternal reign.
“But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance… and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.” (Obadiah 1:17, 21)
💡 Key Themes
✨Pride Brings Destruction
Edom’s downfall is rooted in its pride. They relied on their location, wisdom, and alliances—but none of these protected them from God’s hand.
✨Divine Justice Is Inevitable
Obadiah teaches that betrayal, especially against God’s people, brings divine judgment. No sin is hidden from the Lord.
✨God Will Restore Zion
Even in judgment, God promises hope. His people will be restored, and His kingdom will reign forever.
👤 Key People
- Obadiah – The prophet and voice of God’s judgment and hope.
- Edom (descendants of Esau) – Once allied with Israel by blood, now condemned for betrayal.
- Jacob (Israel) – Though afflicted, God promises to restore their inheritance.
🔥 Why This Book Matters
The book of Obadiah may be the shortest in the Old Testament, but its message roars like a lion. It reveals God’s righteous judgment against Edom for their pride and cruelty, and it affirms His unwavering protection of Israel. In just 21 verses, Obadiah delivers a powerful warning against arrogance, betrayal, and violence—while declaring the future restoration of God’s people and the coming of His kingdom.
“For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee…” – Obadiah 1:15
Obadiah matters because it teaches us that God sees injustice, and He will act in His perfect timing. It reminds believers that no nation, no person, is above His justice. But for the faithful—those who trust in the Lord—there is hope, restoration, and a future where “saviours shall come up on mount Zion” (Obadiah 1:21). This tiny book speaks of the mighty Kingdom of the Lord, and it assures us that righteousness will prevail.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- Have you ever trusted in your own strength or pride instead of God’s power?
- Are there areas in your life where you’ve stood by passively instead of helping someone in need?
- How does the promise of restoration give you hope in times of injustice?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
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