Obadiah Devotional
by Pastor David Groendyk

The intended recipient of most of the prophetic books from Isaiah through Malachi is Israel. Not so with Obadiah. The intended recipient of the book of Obadiah is the nation of Edom. (Jonah and Nahum are the other prophetic books intended for a non-Israelite nation, in case you’re curious.) We know next to nothing about the prophet Obadiah himself, except that his name means “servant of the Lord”. However, we know much about the nation of Edom. The nations of Israel and Edom had a long history together. Israel and Edom descended from the combative twin brothers Jacob and Esau, respectively (hence, the references to Esau throughout the book). In Numbers 20, as Israel was wandering through the wilderness to the Promised Land, Edom refused to let Israel pass through their land. Edom was constantly a thorn in the side of Israel.

But the foremost reason Edom is threatened in this book is because of their hostility towards Israel while Israel was being taken into exile (vv. 10–14). Psalm 137:7 gives us more insight into what Edom did. They mocked Israel as they were losing the war to Babylon. They delighted in the disaster that Babylon brought to Israel. But God has promised that all of Edom’s pride and hostility towards God’s people would come back upon their own head (vv. 1–9). This book serves to show that God does not let evil go unchecked. Even though Israel deserved the judgment that was coming upon them, and even though Edom was a chosen instrument to punish Israel, God had promised vengeance upon all those who hurt his people. Some of the threats upon Edom were fulfilled in ancient times, and some of the threats won’t be fulfilled until the last Judgment Day (verses 15–21 especially look forward to the end times), but Obadiah makes clear that God is in control through it all, and not one of the enemies of God’s people will escape (v. 15). At times it might feel like the mocking and hostility are endless for God’s people, and that can tempt us to give up. As John Calvin puts it, “As then the children of Israel were miserable in comparison with their own kindred, the adoption of God might have appeared worthless.” At times it can feel like being adopted into the family of God is worthless because of all the trouble it causes us. But this book should be a great consolation to believers. The kingdom of God will prevail (v. 21). He will have his victory over all the nations, and every knee will eventually bow down before him and confess Jesus as Lord.

In addition to the consolation and hope this book should provide for believers, it is also a humbling message. Israel deserved the judgment they received because of their sin. Edom deserved the judgment they received because of their sin. Divine justice is what all humans deserve because of their sin. The salvation and mercy that God shows his people at the end of this book is not deserved. Salvation is all a gift from God. Spend time thanking God today for rescuing you from what you deserve. Thank him for the gift of Jesus Christ taking the punishment that we deserve and giving us precious salvation.