Esau was born to his father Isaac and his mother Rebecca (Gen. 25:19-34) around 1900-1800 B.C. Through Esau would come the great nation of Edom. In fact, the Edomites would grow rapidly, developing kings and chiefs long before the Israelites (Gen. 36:31-39). As they gained power over hundreds of years, they would grow in wealth, power, military strength, and most of all, pride. Obadiah, who prophesied around (848-841 B.C.) during the reign of Jehoram, king of Israel, speaks about the Edomites.
Although the book of Obadiah is the shortest of the minor prophets, it contains a great message that applies to our world today. Obadiah records through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit how Edom received a report from the Lord, making Edom greatly despised in the eyes of the surrounding nations due to their puffed-up and arrogant attitude (vs. 1-3). Through this woeful report, God would humble the Edomites in three aspects of their life. God would remove their wealth, their wisdom, and their way of defense.
Obadiah first warns the people of Edom of the great fall they will face. “Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord” (Ob. 4). The Edomites were known for their great fortresses built into the mountains, taking the hill country of Seir, south of the Dead Sea (Gen. 36:8). Because of their location, it was near impossible to defeat them, but not for God.
Next, they are told all of their treasure will be ransacked. “If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough?” (Ob. 5). Edom enjoyed great riches through their copper mines and smelting industries. They also had access to the caravans that traveled through the King’s Highway which stretched from the Red Sea all the way into the plateau of southern Damascus (Num. 20:17). Edom took great pride in these riches, and Jehovah said He would take it away.
God, through Obadiah, would also say Edom would lose all of their wisdom. “All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.” (Ob. 7) How could an unstoppable nation fall so fast and so hard? God said they would be destroyed from the inside out, through their own allies. If an army cannot get in through battle, God would turn their own armies and comrades against them.
And finally, Edom is chastised for their behavior towards their family, the descendants of Jacob. “For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off forever” (Ob. 10). Edom had a perpetual loathing for the Israelites (Eze. 35:1-15) because of Jacob’s deception against Esau, the father of the Edomites. The descendants of Esau, when presented with an opportunity to either help or stop the Israelites, would choose violence against their brothers. After the exodus from Egypt, the Edomites would not allow access through their land (Num. 20:13-21). During the reign of Jehoram, king of Israel, the Edomites rebelled (2 Kings 8). In the books of poetry, we read of how the Edomites cheered on the Babylonians as they fought the Israelites (Ps. 137:7).
Edom’s report concludes by Obadiah reassuring God’s people. “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions” (Ob. 17) In every message of judgement, there is always a conclusion of hope. In this case, it was not to the Edomites, but rather to the people of God. Jacob’s descendants will possess the land, but notice the very last statement of Obadiah: “…and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (Ob. 21).
The book of Obadiah has a clear message. God hates a prideful attitude. Edom is a perfect example of what was said in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction…” In complete contrast to this, God makes a command for all those who desire to see Him, “ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (Jas. 4:10). If you are prideful, there will be a great fall. If you bring yourself low, you shall be lifted up. And in being lifted up by God, you shall be a part of the Kingdom, which is the Lord’s.