Obadiah

Here is a comprehensive Bible study on the Book of Obadiah, structured with historical context, chapter summary, key verses, and Messianic prophecy notes.

https://bibleproject.com/videos/obadiah/

 Bible Study: The Book of Obadiah

Theme: The Judgment of Edom and the Restoration of Israel

Author: Obadiah (name means “Servant of Yahweh”)

Length: 1 Chapter (Shortest book in the Old Testament)

 Historical and Political Setting

• Date: Likely written between 586–553 B.C., shortly after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 B.C.
• Political Context:

Obadiah prophesied in a time of national crisis. Judah had just been invaded, conquered, and exiled by Babylon, and their neighbor and distant relative, Edom, rejoiced at Judah’s fall and took part in its plundering.

• Key Nations Involved:
• Judah (Southern Kingdom) – recently destroyed.
• Edom (descendants of Esau) – historically hostile to Israel, despite being “brothers” through Jacob and Esau.
• Babylon – the empire responsible for Judah’s destruction.

Obadiah’s prophecy is a response to Edom’s arrogance, betrayal, and violence against Judah in her time of distress.

 Chapter Summary & Key Verses

The book contains only one chapter divided into two major themes:

 Verses 1–16: The Judgment of Edom

Summary:

• God declares His coming judgment against Edom.
• Edom is rebuked for pride, false security in their mountainous dwellings, and violence against their “brother” Jacob.
• Their gloating, looting, and betrayal of Judah will return upon their own heads.
• The “Day of the Lord” will bring judgment not only on Edom but on all nations who act like Edom.

Key Verses:

• v. 3 – “The pride of your heart has deceived you… you who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’”
• v. 10 – “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.”
• v. 15 – “For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you…”

Themes:

• Pride leads to downfall.
• God holds nations accountable for betrayal and injustice.
• Judgment is not just local (Edom), but global (all nations).

 Verses 17–21: The Restoration of Israel and the Kingdom of the Lord

Summary:

• Despite Judah’s desolation, deliverance and restoration are promised.
• Zion will be holy again, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possessions.
• Edom will be consumed like stubble, while God’s people will be victorious.
• The ultimate hope: “The kingdom shall be the LORD’s.”

Key Verses:

• v. 17 – “But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and it shall be holy; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.”
• v. 21 – “Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.”

Themes:

• Restoration of God’s people.
• God’s sovereignty over all nations.
• A coming universal kingdom under God’s rule.

 Messianic Foreshadowing in Obadiah

While Obadiah does not mention the Messiah explicitly by name, Messianic themes emerge, especially in the final verse:

v. 21: “And the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.”

• This anticipates the Messianic Kingdom prophesied in Daniel 7:13–14, Isaiah 9:6–7, and Zechariah 14:9.
• The coming of a righteous King, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who will reign from Zion and judge the nations.
• The deliverance on Mount Zion (v. 17) aligns with Joel 2:32 and Hebrews 12:22–24, pointing to spiritual deliverance through Christ.

 Theological and Practical Lessons from Obadiah

 Discussion Questions

1. Why is Edom judged so harshly for what they did during Judah’s fall?
2. How does Obadiah’s prophecy about Edom reflect the broader biblical theme of justice?
3. What does Obadiah reveal about God’s sovereignty over nations?
4. How does the “Day of the Lord” in Obadiah relate to other prophetic books?
5. In what ways does the restoration in Obadiah foreshadow Christ’s kingdom?