Obadiah

Overview – October 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Obadiah

“‘Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,’ says the Lord.” —Obadiah 4 NKJV

Obadiah, meaning “serving Jehovah,” wrote the shortest book of the Old Testament. He prophesied entirely against Edom – the family of Esau, Jacob’s brother. His hatred and violence against Israel was a dreadful result of pride and self-righteousness. Esau could not bear to see his brother receive blessing from God.

Notice that God took account, not only of their flagrant outward wickedness, but also of the secret motives of the heart: “Oh, how Esau shall be searched out! How his hidden treasures shall be sought after” (v.6)! Edom’s gloating over the suffering of Israel was sternly denounced, as was their taking advantage of Israel’s misfortunes to strengthen themselves. The fearful judgment of God is their result.

Edom is actually the same name as Adam, but somewhat disguised. The nation, therefore, represents the flesh, and we know that “those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8). The flesh – the old, sinful nature – may appear in various, seemingly worthy forms, pleasing to the natural senses and appealing to the minds of men. The strong humanist movement in our day, when man is considered to be more important than God, is a marked example of this proud, empty, fleshly claim of worthiness, which will fall under His awesome judgment. Meanwhile, the despised people of God will be delivered.

The book of Obadiah then would lead us to serious self-judgment of our ways and the secret thoughts and feelings of our hearts.

By Leslie M. Grant

This column is taken from the book: “The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.”
It is available for purchase from Believers Bookshelf USA.