When I was in college, my friends had a phrase about not worrying about small things: “Don’t major on the minors.” I had other friends who were religion majors, and they actually were majoring on the minors--minor prophets, that is. We read one more of them today.
Obadiah holds the distinction of being the shortest book in the Old Testament. I will do my best to make sure that this post is shorter than the book.
Obadiah’s writings contain much of the same stuff we’ve heard from other prophets--destruction of Israel’s enemies, then restoration of the remnant. What makes Obadiah different?
(crickets)
Let’s look at it anyway.
The words are spoken to the tribe of Edom (the descendants of Esau) not to Israel. We read it chronologically at this time because the LORD is bringing judgment on Edom as they rejoice over Jerusalem’s defeat.
Obadiah mentions The Day of the LORD--the day of judgment--which is coming, when the whole earth will drink from the cup of God’s judgment. As always, on Mount Zion there is a triumphant remnant who will rebuild the nation of Israel.
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