Delve Into The Prophets预览

DAY 16 – OBADIAH

When Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, fell to the Babylonian army in 586 BC, the people of the neighboring kingdom of Edom joined in looting the city. They even intercepted fleeing Judeans and turned them over to the Babylonians to be executed or enslaved. The Edomites showed no compassion to the Judeans even though they were related to them. Edom was descended from Esau, and Judah was descended from Jacob, his brother.

The Edomites’ ruthless treatment of their helpless neighbors drew rebukes from the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who both pronounced oracles against them. The prophet Obadiah, who seems to have been among those who remained behind when many Judeans were taken into exile, added an oracle of his own. He assured the people of his community that God would repay Edom for its treachery, and that God would restore their own fortunes in the process. Obadiah may have begun with Jeremiah’s oracle and developed it into one of his own to speak to his situation, since there are many similarities between the two.

Obadiah first rebukes the kingdom of Edom for its pride and foretells its destruction. He then describes the crimes, specifically against Judah, for which Edom will suffer this fate. Finally, he promises restoration to Israel and assures them that in the end, “the kingdom will be the Lord’s.”

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord for Your love. Thank You that Your compassion never fails.