(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Obadiah – named after the prophet Obadiah (Ovadyah in Hebrew), meaning “Servant of the LORD”
• Definition: The shortest book in the Old Testament, Obadiah delivers a powerful oracle of judgement against Edom for its pride and violence against Judah, while affirming God’s justice and the future restoration of His people

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Attributed to Obadiah; no further biographical details are provided, and he is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture
• When: The precise date is uncertain. Most scholars suggest either shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC or during an earlier conflict in the 9th century BC. The 6th century BC is the more widely accepted context
• Audience: The people of Judah, who had suffered from Edomite betrayal during their time of vulnerability; the prophecy also addresses Edom directly
• Purpose: To pronounce divine judgement on Edom for its pride, violence, and betrayal, and to offer hope for Zion’s deliverance and the triumph of God’s kingdom

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Composed in poetic prophecy; uses irony, parallelism, and accusatory oracles; contains courtroom-like indictments and eschatological visions
• Key Themes: Divine justice, national pride, betrayal, retribution, restoration of Israel, and the sovereignty of God over nations
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ The Day of the LORD (Obad. 15) anticipates the final judgement and redemption fulfilled in Christ
○ The promise of deliverance on Mount Zion (Obad. 17) foreshadows salvation through Christ and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom
○ Christ as the ultimate Judge and Saviour is prefigured in the divine vindication of Judah and the establishment of dominion (Obad. 21)
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ Edom’s mountainous fortresses symbolise false security
○ The Day of the LORD represents divine retribution and the reversal of injustice
○ Mount Zion symbolises God’s holy presence, salvation, and restored kingdom

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: A single chapter divided into three sections – Edom’s arrogance and downfall (vv. 1–9), Edom’s crimes against Judah (vv. 10–14), and the coming Day of the LORD with Israel’s restoration (vv. 15–21)
• Canonical Significance: One of the Twelve Minor Prophets; notable for its brevity yet theological depth; highlights God’s sovereignty and moral order among nations
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Parallels themes in Jeremiah 49, Ezekiel 25 and 35, and Amos 1; complements themes in Isaiah and Joel regarding the Day of the LORD
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Echoes covenantal justice from Deuteronomy; affirms Genesis 25 and 27 regarding the rivalry between Jacob and Esau
○ Connections to the New Testament: Themes of pride and justice are echoed in Christ’s teachings; the universal Day of the LORD is fulfilled eschatologically in Revelation
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Obad. 21 – “Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion… and the kingdom will be the LORD’s” points to Christ’s ultimate reign
○ Connections with Judaism: Emphasises divine retribution for historical injustice; Edom becomes a symbol of Israel’s enemies in later Jewish interpretation
○ Connections with Islam: Edom and Obadiah are not directly mentioned, but the broader themes of divine justice and national accountability are consistent with Islamic theology
• Key Passages or Verses: Obad. 3 – “The pride of your heart has deceived you”
Obad. 10 – “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob”
Obad. 15 – “The Day of the LORD is near for all nations”
Obad. 17 – “But on Mount Zion will be deliverance”
Obad. 21 – “The kingdom will be the LORD’s”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Obadiah functions as God’s prophetic mouthpiece to denounce Edom’s injustice and proclaim God’s triumph
• Who are the Main Characters: Obadiah, the Edomites (descendants of Esau), the people of Judah (descendants of Jacob), and God as the Sovereign Judge and Redeemer

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Sovereign over all nations; enacts justice and protects His covenant people
○ The Son – Implied in the final deliverance and establishment of God’s kingdom; foreshadowed in the eschatological reign proclaimed in Obad. 21
○ The Holy Spirit – Implicit in the divine communication through prophecy and the promise of spiritual restoration
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: The prophet Obadiah stands alone in his role; kings and priests are unnamed, suggesting a focus on divine rather than institutional authority
• Role of the Church: Called to humility, righteousness, and proclamation of the coming kingdom; inherits the vision of the LORD’s dominion and justice
• Role of Men and Women: The book addresses collective national behaviour and ethical accountability; themes of pride and betrayal apply to all

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Edom (south of the Dead Sea, mountainous region of Seir), Judah (Jerusalem and Mount Zion); key terrain includes fortified cities and wilderness passes
• Historical Context: Most likely shortly after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, when Edom opportunistically plundered and betrayed Judah
• Cultural Context: Reflects ancient tribal rivalries rooted in the conflict between Jacob and Esau; Edom’s participation in Judah’s downfall is seen as treachery against kinship bonds

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Intertribal warfare, shifting alliances, and betrayal were common; Edom’s actions mirror broader regional practices of opportunism during conquest
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Edom is portrayed as aligning with foreign invaders; their pride in mountainous security and military alliances reflects regional arrogance
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Highlights ethical failure in fraternal loyalty; condemns complicity in violence and delight in others’ suffering
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Looting and betrayal of allies
   ○ Rejoicing over enemy downfall
   ○ Trust in geographic and military defences

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Bridges personal and national betrayal with divine justice and restoration; affirms God’s control over history and His redemptive plan for Zion
2. Theological Significance: Emphasises divine retribution, covenant fidelity, the fate of nations, and eschatological victory
3. Spiritual Themes: Pride versus humility, judgement for injustice, the sanctity of kinship, and hope in God’s kingdom
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: God sees and judges injustice. Pride leads to downfall. National sin has spiritual consequences. God’s kingdom will prevail
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Obadiah is foundational in eschatological theology and ethics; used to affirm the justice and sovereignty of God and the eventual triumph of Christ’s kingdom
6. Historical Reception: Revered in Jewish and Christian traditions for its emphasis on divine justice; studied for its insights into Israel–Edom relations and as a paradigm of national accountability

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Reinforces the fulfilment of prophetic warnings from the Pentateuch concerning Edom’s judgement and Judah’s eventual deliverance
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Edom becomes symbolic of oppressors; Obadiah’s prophecy is seen as a vindication of Israel and God’s faithfulness
3. Connections with Islam: Though not named, themes of divine justice and retribution against arrogant nations parallel Islamic theology on divine sovereignty
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Used in political theology and liberation movements to address pride, imperialism, and betrayal
5. Scientific Perspectives: Examined in historical geography and archaeological studies of Edomite settlements and their interactions with Judah
6. Global Perspective: Speaks universally to the consequences of national pride, betrayal, and oppression; promotes hope for divine justice across all cultures

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Interpreted in mystical traditions as the purification of pride and the spiritual triumph of humility
2. Comparative Mythology: Unlike mythic vengeance tales, Obadiah roots justice in covenant theology and divine sovereignty rather than mythic rivalry
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Explores justice, moral responsibility, national ethics, and the finality of divine verdicts
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Do not rejoice in others’ misfortune
   ○ Repent from pride and betrayal
   ○ Trust in God’s justice rather than human defences
   ○ Stand with the afflicted rather than exploiting them
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Relevant to discussions on national ethics, post-conflict reconciliation, ethnic violence, and divine justice in global politics

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Dating the book, distinguishing literal from symbolic language, and defining the scope of Edom’s judgement
2. Theological Debates: Questions on inherited guilt, collective judgement, and the future role of Edom in salvation history
3. Key Questions Addressed: How does God judge nations? What is the fate of prideful and unjust societies? Can national betrayal be redeemed? What is the hope for restoration and kingdom justice?