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Greetings listeners. Today we're exploring Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament. But don't let its size fool you. This prophecy delivers a bold and powerful message. At its core, obadiah is God's judgment against the nation of Edom. But you might be wondering who is Edom and why does God care so much about them? Let's explore that together. God cares so much about them. Let's explore that together. Well, welcome everyone.

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I'm your host, Jacqui Adewole, and this is the Bible Basics Podcast, where weekly, we break down the basics of the Bible into understandable, bite-sized chunks. Today we're looking at the book of Obadiah, one chapter 21 verses, one of the shortest but most intense books in the Bible. This prophecy is a direct message from God against Edom, a nation with a long and complicated history with Israel. But Edom wasn't just another enemy. They were family, descended from Esau, jacob's twin brother. Edom and Israel had a deep-rooted rivalry that turned into open hostility. And when Jerusalem was invaded, Edom did something shocking. They didn't just stand by. They took advantage of Israel's suffering Because of this betrayal. Edom's down. Ezekiel and the Psalms contain warnings of Edom's judgment. Clearly, Edom's actions left a lasting impact.

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But before we unpack why Edom faced such severe judgment, let's take a moment to talk about the man behind this prophecy, obadiah. Who was the prophet Obadiah? Well, unlike some of the other prophets, we don't know much about Obadiah himself. His name means servant of Yahweh or worshiper of God, which fits his role as a messenger of divine judgment. There are over a dozen men named Obadiah in the Old Testament, but none of them can be definitively linked to this prophet, although the book gives no personal detail. It's his message, not his background detail. It's his message, not his background. That's what takes center stage and in a way that's fitting. Obadiah's prophecy isn't about him. It's about God's justice, his faithfulness to his people and the ultimate triumph of his kingdom. But who was this prophecy directed at? Of all the nations in the ancient world? Why did Edom receive such a strong judgment from God? Before we can understand why God was so angry with Edom, we need to understand who they were.

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Edom was a nation south of Israel made up of the descendants of Esau, jacob's twin brother. Recall that Israel is made up of the descendants of Jacob Okay, made up of the descendants of Jacob Okay. This connection is important because Edom and Israel weren't just neighboring nations, they were family. But instead of standing with their Israelite relatives. Edom became one of their greatest enemies. They resented Israel, opposed them in battle and even celebrated when Jerusalem was attacked. However, god instructed Israel to be kind to the Edomites. That's in Deuteronomy 23, 7-8. And that's why Obadiah's prophecy is so intense. It's not just about a nation, it's about betrayal. Edom should have been Israel's ally, but instead they turned against them. So to understand Edom's actions, let's go back to the beginning, to the man who started it all Esau.

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Esau and his twin brother Jacob were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. They were the grandsons of Abraham. Even before they were born, there was tension between them. In Genesis, chapter 25, verse 23,. God told their mother, Rebekah two nations are in your womb and two people from within you will be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. Esau struggled with his brother Jacob then, and they continued to struggle. That prophecy shaped their entire relationship.

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Though Esau was technically the firstborn, god had already determined that Jacob's descendants, who are Israel, would take priority. But Esau's own choices made things even worse. But Esau's own choices made things even worse. First, esau sold his birthright, and we find that in Genesis, chapter 25, verses 29 through 34. Esau was known for being an outdoorsman, a skilled hunter. One day after hunting, esau was famished. Jacob offered him a bowl of red stew in exchange for his birthright, and that birthright is the inheritance and the spiritual leadership of the family. Esau agreed he traded something of lasting value for a fleeting moment of satisfaction. He also married those pagan Canaanite women.

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We see that in Genesis, chapter 26, verse 34 to 35. These marriages went against his family's wishes and deeply grieved his parents. To cap it off, esau also lost his father, isaac's blessing, because Jacob, with his mother Rebecca's help, tricked Isaac into giving the blessing to Jacob instead. When Esau realized what happened, he begged for a blessing, but it was too late. Jacob had already received the best one. Isaac could only give Esau a lesser blessing, telling him he'd live by the sword and serve his brother, but one day break free as a result. But one day break free as a result. Esau resented his brother Jacob, and we see that in Genesis, chapter 27, verse 41.

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Though the two brothers later made peace and we see that in Genesis 33, 4, esau's descendants, the nation of Edom, remained in conflict with Israel for centuries. Now here's where it gets even more interesting. Scholars debate when Obadiah's prophecy took place. There are two main views. Verses 10 through 14 describe an invasion of Israel in which Edom actively participated. The uncertainty about which invasion this was has led to scholarly debates over the book's date. Here are the two views. First, some believe it was written after Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, aligning it with Jeremiah and Ezekiel's prophecies. Others argue for an earlier date, possibly during King Jehoram's reign, when Jerusalem faced attacks from the Philistines and the Arabians. That's in 2 Chronicles, 21: 16-17.

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Regardless of the exact timing, Obadiah's message remains clear Edom's betrayal led to its downfall. This brings us back to Obadiah's prophecy. Specifically, what did Edom do to deserve judgment? Let's take a closer look.

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The subject matter of this book is the coming judgment on Edom because of their two sins. First, pride, which we see in verse 3. And second, injury done to Judah in verse 10. And second, injury done to Judah in verse 10. First, that sin of pride Edom believed they were untouchable. Edom's fortresses, including the famous city of Petra, were built high in the mountains, making them nearly impossible to invade. But God had a message for them. Quote the pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars. From there I will bring you down. That's Obadiah verses three and four. They thought their geography, power and wealth could protect them, but nothing can stand against God's justice. The other sin was betrayal.

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Edom didn't just dislike Israel, they actively worked against them. Obadiah verses 10 through 14 describes their crimes in detail. Starting with verse 10, quote because of the violence against your brother, jacob, you will be covered with shame. You will be destroyed forever. On the day you stand aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and the foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. Unquote. So they stood by while Jerusalem was attacked. Instead of helping their relatives, edom watched as the enemies invaded the city.

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Now let's move on to verse 12. Quote you should not gloat over 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. You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor gloat over them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster Unquote. So they looted the city. When Israel was weak, Edom gloated and took advantage of their suffering. So now we'll move on to verse 14. Quote you should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble Unquote. So they cut off the escape routes. As the Israelites fled for their lives, edom blocked the roads and handed them over to their enemies. This wasn't just passive betrayal, it was active participation in Israel's suffering.

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And Obadiah's prophecy wasn't just about Edom, it was about all nations who reject God. Verse 15 declares quote the day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Unquote. This is a powerful warning. God holds nations accountable. No one gets away with injustice forever. Note Edom had an ongoing role in biblical history, even past the close of the Old Testament.

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Herod the Great, one of Esau's descendants, tried to kill Jesus shortly after he was born. The Edomites were eventually wiped out during the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem that occurred in AD 70. Their extinction fulfilled Obadiah's longstanding prophecies that they would be quote cut off forever. That's verse 10, and that quote cut off forever, that's verse 10. And that quote no survivor should remain in the house of Esau. Unquote. That's verse 18.

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But Obadiah's prophecy doesn't end with destruction. It ends with hope. While Edom would be brought low, judah would be restored. Verse 21 gives us a final glimpse of the future. Quote deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom will be the Lord's. Unquote.

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So God wasn't just judging Edom. He was declaring that his kingdom would prevail, no matter how dark things seemed. God's justice would triumph. But this promise wasn't just about Israel's restoration after exile. It pointed to something even greater, greater. The ultimate fulfillment of God's justice, his kingdom and his victory is found in Jesus.

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Obadiah may be an Old Testament book, but its message connects directly to Jesus. Let me share three ways. First, jesus and the final judgment. Obadiah's quote day of the Lord we see that in verse 15, points to a future time when all nations will be judged. Revelation 11, 15 confirms quote the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever Unquote. Second, jesus is the true king. Obadiah ends with a vision of God's kingdom prevailing that's ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the king who will reign forever. And three God lifts up the humble.

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Edom's downfall was their pride, but Jesus taught the opposite Quote whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. That's Matthew 23, 12. So let's sum it all up. Obadiah's message is clear God humbles the proud, defends his people, and his kingdom will last forever. This book warns us about the dangers of pride and indifference to others' suffering. Edom believed they were untouchable, but their self-reliance led to their downfall. God calls us to humility and faithfulness, not arrogance and betrayal. So the choice is ours. Will we follow the path of pride, like Edom, or will we follow the way of Jesus, walking in humility and trust? Thank you so much for joining into this study of Obadiah. Don't miss next week's episode as we go further into the books of prophecy. Until then, keep reading, keep seeking and keep growing in your faith so that we spread God's word further. Please share, like, follow, comment and subscribe.