Obadiah. The word Obadiah means either “a worshipper of Jehovah” or “a servant of Jehovah”. There are at least 13 different Obadiah’s in the Old Testament.

Obadiah. He came from the Southern Kingdom and preached there.

The city of Jerusalem has just been sacked by the Edomites, who were in alliance with the Philistines and the Arabians. There was two sackings: one in 586 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar and on in 840 B.C. by the Edomites. (See 2 Chronicles 21)

Obadiah steps up and declares doom upon Edom. This is the whole message of the book. The Edomites are the descendants, of Esau, the brother of Jacob. Whenever Esau sold his birth right to Jacob, his name was changed to Edom.

Obadiah declares the destruction of Edom:-

• Revelation of their destruction (vs 1-9).
• The reasons for their destruction (vs 10-16). They have gloated over Israel’s defeat rather than recognising that they were an instrument in the hand of God for disciplining Judah. Edom was cursing God’s people and so God cursed them.
• Declaring the salvation of Israel. (vs 17-21). The restoration of the nation of Israel and the Kingdom that is to be established is mentioned.

• Obadiah verse 4, “Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.”
• Obadiah verse 12, “You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.”
• Obadiah verse 15, “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.”

All these verses illustrate that God will overcome in our behalf if we will stay true to Him. Unlike Edom, we must be willing to help others in times of need. Pride is sin. We have nothing to be proud of  so accept Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.