Like a good detective, let's examine this book.

🔥 Overview

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, only 21 verses long, yet it delivers a powerful message of God’s justice and faithfulness. The prophet condemns Edom, descendants of Esau, for their pride and betrayal of their brother nation, Judah. It highlights God’s certainty in judging sin while offering hope in His coming kingdom. People today should study Obadiah because it reminds us that God sees injustice, pride leads to downfall, and His promises to restore His people never fail.

🔍 Things to Notice

The contrast between Edom’s pride and Judah’s future restoration.
The phrase “The Day of the Lord” (v. 15), pointing to both judgment and hope.
God’s sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel.
The book ends with the powerful declaration: “The kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (v. 21).

🙏 Jesus in this Book

(Every book reveals the glory of God, displayed in Christ Jesus)

Jesus is the ultimate Deliverer from Zion who brings the kingdom of God (v. 17, 21).
The theme of brotherly betrayal points forward to Judas betraying Christ.
God’s justice and mercy meet at the cross, where Jesus bore the judgment we deserved.

👀 Themes

Pride leads to destruction.
God judges betrayal and injustice.
God is sovereign over all nations.
Restoration and hope for God’s people.
The kingdom belongs to the Lord.

😀 Who?

Who wrote it? The prophet Obadiah (“Servant of the Lord”). Little else is known about him.

🪧 Where?

Where are we? We are in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, during or after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, when Edom took advantage of Judah’s suffering.

⏳ When?

When was it written?: Likely 586 BC, after the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, when Edom plundered Judah. Some argue for an earlier date (~840 BC), but most scholars lean toward the later context.

🤔 What?

What is the big idea? God will bring down the proud, judge injustice, and establish His kingdom forever.

🧐 Why?

Why is this book important? Obadiah reminds us that God sees and judges sin, even when it seems unnoticed by the world. It calls us to humility, warns us against gloating over others’ failures, and reassures us that God’s kingdom will triumph in the end.