Obadiah Study: part 2 (vrs 1-4)

Now we begin to break down the verses in Obadiah, a few at a time.  For those who may have more knowledge than I do, please feel free to add or correct things I miss in the comments section.

Obadiah 1-4, the Kevin Dawson version:

1  The revelation of Obadiah concerning what my Lord YAHWEH said to Edom:  An envoy from among the nations has been sent, saying, "Rise and let us rise up against Edom and make war."

2  Behold, I have allowed you to be small and very despised among the nations.

3  The pride in your heart deceived you.  You stay in the cliffs.  You live up high.  You say in your heart, "Who can bring me down?"

4  Even if you soar like the eagles, even if you make your nest between the stars - even from there I will tear you down.  So declares YAHWEH.

Verse 1

Obadiah's announcement of Edom's doom is not based on his personal opinion of the Edomites.  Rather, this is an announcement from the sovereign Lord.  Though Edom is the subject of the prophecy, the actual prophecy is addressed to Israel.  God intends Israel to learn something about His nature from the announcement against Edom.  Thus Obadiah has value for all God's people, since we are to learn from the prophecies.  This isn't just God announcing the destruction of a nation, but rather a message for the people of God.

Obadiah is closely related to Jeremiah.  (Compare this verse to Jeremiah 49:14.)  This is further evidence that Obadiah belongs right after the destruction of Jerusalem.  Obadiah takes Jeremiah's prophecy concerning Edom and develops the thoughts further.

This is perhaps a reason why Obadiah says "we have heard" where Jeremiah says "I have heard."  Jeremiah heard the prophecy and issued it, and then Obadiah and all Israel heard the prophecy of Jeremiah.

The messenger is likely from an enemy of Edom to other enemies of Edom.  The nations were gathering against Edom.  Still, two levels of history in operation are revealed - the human level and the divine level.  Though God uses human means to raise and to destroy people and nations, God is still the great Mover working behind the curtains of history.

Verse 2

This is written past-tense, though it has yet to happen.  It carries the idea that the declaration is so certain to happen that it might as well already be true.  Even among pagan nations, God's rule is sovereign.  (for a comparison, see Jeremiah 49:15)

Devotional Thought: the word of God is so sure that when God declares that something will happen, it can essentially be written in the past-tense.  It is done.  God's promises to our lives can be considered that certain.

Verses 3-4

Edom's destruction is due to pride.  The Bible is filled with examples of pride coming before destruction (see Proverbs 16:18, for instance).

The same root word used here is found in Genesis 25:29 at the very beginning of the Jacob/Esau conflict.

Edom's deception due to pride and subsequent judgement recalls to mind the deception and subsequent judgement of Adam & Eve.

Edom was built in the mountains. One major city, later called Petra ("rock" in Greek) is built on a mountain that has three sides going straight up perpendicularly.  The fourth side, on the southeast, features a sloping ascent.  This geography makes it a fortress and made the Edomites feel invulnerable.

Obadiah builds on this motif.  Eagles were the largest bird in the region.  He elevates the Edomites' pride further by saying even if they flew higher than the mountains with the eagles, or even if they lived among the stars, God would still bring them down.

Edom knew it was beyond the reach of man, so it became proud.  But Edom forgot that God is greater still.