Obadiah // The Little Guy
Here we’ve come to the shortest leg in our deserted trek through the Minor Prophets. Obadiah is the Muggsy Bogues[i] of the Old Testament lineup. With only 21 verses, little Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, nearly the shortest book in the whole Bible.[ii] However, the brevity of the message does not render it less important or less significant.[iii]
Obadiah is one of a handful of prophets about whom we know nothing except that he was a vessel for the Lord to speak truth. His name means “Worshiper of Yahweh” or “Servant of Yahweh”. Both definitions are beautifully accurate for the life of this man about whom we know nothing: He used His 21 verses for the message of His God; 21 verses devoted entirely to what God had for him to speak. He was a “Worshiper of Yahweh”…in that his 21-verse life was not about him, but about His God. He was a “Servant of Yahweh”…in that his 21 was used for the service of God, not to serve Obadiah’s interests.
The question now is, “What are you doing with your 21?” How are you investing the life that God has given you? As we see through the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), it’s not about how much we have been given in life; rather, it’s about how we choose to invest that which we have been given.
Isaiah was given 1292 verses in his life. Obadiah only had 21 verses. Just as one servant was given five talents, while the other was only given two. Yet, their reception into Paradise was the same, “Well done, good and faithful servant”[iv] because both were faithful in investing what they had been given for the service of their Lord.
When Jesus comes back, what will you have done with what He has given you? It doesn’t matter how much God has blessed you with; it doesn’t matter how many special talents you have…or don’t have; what matters is how you use what you have been given.
Isn’t that what Gandalf told Frodo in the “Lord of the Rings” when Frodo was wishing that his circumstances were different? “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” Whether you’re in the 1292 bracket or you’re among the 21 sort, may you be a worshiper of God with every verse you’re given.
The book of Joel can be divided into two parts: Part one (1–16) is directed toward a nation that is not God’s chosen people. While the majority of the Minor Prophets deal with the covenant relationship between God and the Children of Israel[v], Obadiah’s book is primarily a message that God has for the children of EDOM.
In the second part of his book (17–21), Obadiah focuses on the vindication of Israel and looks forward to the day when God’s Kingdom will finally be established here on earth.
First of all, who are the people of Edom? The birth of this nation is found in Genesis 25:21-34 when Isaac and Rebekah were about to have twin sons, Esau and Jacob. “And the Lord said to her [Rebekah]: ‘Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger’” (Gen. 25:23). And these two brothers were struggling against each other from the very beginning (v. 22).
As the firstborn son, Esau had a special, spiritual heritage awaiting him. When his father was gone, he would become the priest of the family…meaning, he would be the family member who had a very unique relationship with God. This was known as his birthright.[vi] Yet, Esau didn’t give a hoot about this relationship with God. In fact, we read that “Esau despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:34) to the point that he sold it to his brother Jacob for a bowl of red stew. “Therefore his name was called Edom” (literally, red).[vii] In that very poor bargain, Esau (Edom) showed that he would rather have a bowl of soup than have a relationship with God. Two chapters later (Gen. 27), we read of how Jacob was coerced by his crafty momma into also stealing Esau’s blessing. Now, everything that rightfully belonged to Esau (the firstborn) had been given to Jacob (whose name was later changed to Israel[viii]).
That was just the beginning of this brotherly struggle, which grew into a struggle between two nations (Edom and Israel). Many years later, we read of Edom’s refusal to aid Israel in their wilderness journey (Numbers 20:14-21). In 586 BC, when the Babylonians took over Jerusalem, the Edomites can be heard from the bleachers as they cheer on Israel’s defeat (Ps. 137:7). This struggle continued all the way to Bethlehem in Matthew 2 when an Edomite King (Herod) ordered the slaughter of all mail children under the age of two in his attempt to kill Jacob’s most important descendant: King Jesus.
So, while most of these Minor Prophets focus on God’s relationship with His people, God has given Obadiah a different message for “his 21”, and this little prophet was faithful in delivering it.
PART ONE
1 “The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom (We have heard a report from the Lord, and a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying, ‘Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle’).”
First, we see that this is a vision that was from the Lord. This miniature book is not a compilation of Obadiah’s personal feelings. These are not his thoughts. This is not his personal vendetta against the Edomite nation. What he is about to share is a vision from the Lord.[ix] There is a report that has gone out from the Lord to muster up the nations against Edom for battle.
Then, through the pen of Obadiah, God addresses Edom directly in verses 2–16.
2– 3 “‘Behold, I will make you small among the nations; You shall be greatly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, “who will bring me down to the ground?”
Here the Lord declares to Edom the root cause of its impending doom: PRIDE. Edom put its trust in the strength of its own city walls. Perhaps, these verses are referring to its capital city, Petra, which was a fortress hewn out of a rocky mountain and which is still in existence today.
This stronghold was protected by an extremely narrow entranceway making it easily defended against invaders. The people of Petra lived in great buildings which were carved out of solid rock inside this great canyon up and down the sides of it (“in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high”). It’s an overwhelming sight, and the people of Edom thought that they were perfectly secure within its walls (“Who will bring me down to the ground?”).
4 Though you exalt yourself as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,’ says the Lord.”
The eagle was a symbol of deity. Quite frankly, Edom began to think of itself as a god. In their hearts, the people of Edom were “above it all”. Does this story sound at all familiar? It’s not the first time in history that creation has attempted to exalt itself above its Creator.
Pride’s debute performance is recounted in Isaiah 14:13-14 when Satan said in his heart, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…” Both stories end up panning out the same way: “‘From there I will bring you down,’ says the Lord” (Obad. 4); “Yet you shall be brought down…” (Isa. 14:15).
5 – 6 “If thieves had come to you, if robbers by night – Oh, how you will be cut off! - Would they not have stolen till they had enough? If grape-gatherers had come to you, would they not have left some gleanings? Oh, how Esau shall be searched out! How his hidden treasures shall be sought after.”
Here we read of Edom’s total ruin. Their destruction will not be partial as though a thief were coming. For thieves leave at least a little something. Grape-gatherers would leave at least some gleanings. Yet, for Edom, there would be nothing left when God was done with them.
7 “All the men in your confederacy shall force you to the border; the men at peace with you shall deceive you and prevail against you. Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you. No one is aware of it.”
When the God of the world stretches out His hand against Edom, they’ll have nowhere to turn. In fact, in fulfillment of verse 1, the nations are already turning against Edom.
8-9 “‘Will I not in that day,’ says the Lord, ‘Even destroy the wise men from Edom, and understanding from the mountains of Esau? Then your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed. To the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.’”
Teman was a grandson of Esau. It was also the name given to another chief city of Edom; evidently, a cultural and military center where the intellectual geniuses and military elite gathered. However, God is not impressed with their wisdom. Nor is He threatened by their might. He will “cut [them] off” in their pride, both the wise and the powerful.
“YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE THAT…” (10-14)
Have you ever done something stupid that was immediately followed by the thought, “Man, I really shouldn’t have done that”? If I had a nickel for every time this thought has crossed my mind…I’d have a whole lot of nickels!
Like the time my childhood buddy and I decided to pound a nail into an old paint can. We needed more paint, and our brilliant plan was to puncture a hole in the can to drain out all that remained. (Warning: if you’ve never tried this before…don’t. The pressure inside the can causes it to explode, covering any innocent bystanders with its colorful contents!) When our little mishap was finally over, I turned around to see my little brother’s face plastered in the green dye. Apparently, paint is very unhealthy for the eyes…or so my momma told me over and over again that evening in a volume that was very hard to miss! Then the thought came: “Man, I really shouldn’t have done that.” In the end, my brother came out of the ordeal just fine, and I haven’t nailed a paint can since!
Several years later, my same childhood buddy and I were out riding a couple mountain bikes. After a couple hours, I got bored of the “same ‘ol”, and so I decided to spruce things up a bit. Once I built up enough speed going down the hill, I would attempt to mimic an Indian chief (sitting Indian style with my arms folded across my chest)! No hands and no feet…yes, what a genius idea. This stoic pose lasted for maybe two whole seconds before bike and rider had a very intimate encounter with the pavement. And while my left leg looked like something off the grill, my concern was for the bike. Why? Because it wasn’t my bike. I had borrowed it from the neighbors. So you can see why I might be a bit concerned. But wait…it gets worse. The frosting on this bitter cake was that the neighbors hadn’t been made aware that their bike had been borrowed! Lying on the road next to this marred bike, there was that old familiar thought: “Man, I really shouldn’t have done that.”
In 12-14, God is reminding Edom of the really stupid things they did to their brother nation, and we hear God saying, “You should not have done that.”[x]
- You should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity (v. 12)
- You should not have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction
- You should not have spoken proudly in the day of distress
- You should not have entered the gate of My people in the day of their calamity (v. 13)
- You should not have gloated over their affliction in the day of their calamity
- You should not have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity
- You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped (v. 14)
- You should not have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress
Edom relished the destruction of Judah. Not only were they dancing with the cheerleaders[xi], they even placed bets on Jerusalem’s demolition[xii] and stood in the crossroads to cut off the Israelites who escaped[xiii].
What is it that would cause a person to treat a brother like that? PRIDE. When a person is lost in pride, he takes whatever opportunity he can to exalt himself over others. All of creation has this in common: apart from the grace of God, we all tend to derive pleasure from another person’s failure. It tends to soothe our inadequacies and magnifies our successes.
Growing up, it was always so hard for me to watch my little brother get first place at every single wrestling meet, while big brother was constantly pulling in 56th place. I’ll never forget the day he finally lost. While it was hard to see him lose out on the trophy, it made me feel a little bit better about my little sliver of ribbon! My brother’s defeat eased my wounded pride that day.
15-16 “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head…”
Obadiah looks into the future and sees the great and terrible day of the Lord coming, when all accounts will be settled. In that day, Edom will be judged as it judged its bother Israel (Matt. 7:1). In that day, Edom will reap what they have sown (Gal. 6:7).
That’s the end of part one: Edom, for “the pride of your heart”[xiv] and “for your violence against your brother”,[xv] “‘I will bring you down,’ says the Lord”.[xvi]
PART TWO: In verses 17–21, Obadiah offers HOPE to those in the covenant relationship with Yahweh.
“But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions” (v. 17).
The second part of the book holds out the hope of salvation to the remnant of Israel and promises that, in the end, the kingdom will not belong to the Babylonians nor to the Edomites…but to the Lord. The promises made long ago to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (that their descendants would possess the land) will not be frustrated.
From our New Testament perspective we can see how much larger the fulfillment will be than what Obadiah saw. Obadiah foresaw the Jews reclaiming their land. Yet, the “children of God” are not to be limited to a Jewish remnant but rather extends out to embrace all those who trust Christ. ”There is neither Jew nor Greek . . . for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28, 29). Also, not only is the family of God larger than what Obadiah had foreseen, but the fulfillment of the promised land is much greater. In Romans 4:13, we are told that the descendants of Abraham will inherit the world, not just certain plots of land in the midst of Palestine.[xvii]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Pride is destructive & deceptive. It sneaks into your heart and wraps its fingers around your mind before you know what hit you. It deceives you into thinking that you are really something and acts as a cancer in relationships by “parading itself”, by being “puffed up”, by “seeking its own”, by being easily “provoked”, among a host of other loveless, selfish actions.[xviii] It strips you of joy because it is always seeking more. Its thirst for higher and better is never satisfied. Its longing for recognition and applause is a spiritual virus that fills the heart with fear of really living out our faith because of what others might think.
And over and over in the Bible, we read of how utterly God hates pride.
- Prov. 6:16-17, “These six things the Lord hates…A proud look…”
- Prov. 8:13, “…pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.”
- Amos 6:8, “I abhor the pride of Jacob…”
- Luke 16:15, “…For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Someday, Jesus is coming back. And this world (that has turned its back on a relationship with God…that despised its birthright) is going down. However, God has made a way of escape, a way of salvation from His wrath. Those who humble themselves under the Lord, He promises to lift up. When you place your trust and confidence outside of God (when your hiding place is in the clefts of the rock), one day it will all come crashing down. But those who place their trust in Jesus (those who wait on the Lord) will be ones who will mount up with wings as eagles…“And I will soar with You, Your Spirit leads me on in the power of Your love.”
[i] For those of you who aren’t current on your basketball facts, Muggsy was the shortest player in NBA history’;
a 5’3 point guard best known for his career with the Charlotte Hornets.
[ii] Only 2 John (13 verses) and 3 John (14 verses) are shorter.
[iii] McGee, J. Vernon. “Thru the Bible.” Vol. 3, Obadiah, Page 726, Par. 1
[v] Leviticus 26 – “The Mosaic Covenant”
[vi] And ultimately, the promised Messiah would come through the holder of the birthright.
[ix] Note that Obadiah’s book is nearly Identical to what the Lord has for His prophet Jeremiah in Jer. 49:10-22
[xvii] See also Matthew 5:5 where Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth“.
