As the shortest book in the old testament 21 verses in a single chapter, its purpose is to condemn them in supporting the gentiles against judah. The book of obadiah the prophecy of obadiah is unique in the character of its contents. As brief as this book is, scholars raise many questions about it. The book of obadiah is an oracle concerning the divine judgment of edom and the restoration of israel.
The hebrew name obadiah means worshipper of yahweh or servant of yahweh. But in mount zion there shall be those who escape, and it. Some have thought that this is the same obadiah that was ahabs steward in 2 chronicles 17. Nevertheless, i believe that the prophesy occurred sometime immediately after 586 b. The book of obadiah was likely written between 848 and 840 b.
Obadiahs book is the shortest of all the old testament books. Pusey said, god has willed that his name alone and this brief prophecy. Book of obadiah, the destruction of edom, judahs misfortune. The smallest old testament account, the book of obadiah is a vision written by the lords prophet known as obadiah, who. We have heard a rumour from the lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. Dating the book of obadiah accurately is nearly impossible due to the scant historical information contained in the book. This book, the shortest among the twelve minor prophets, is a single twentyoneverse oracle against edom. The text consists of a single chapter, divided into 21 verses, making it the shortest book in the hebrew bible in judaism and christianity, its authorship is attributed to a prophet who lived in the assyrian period and named himself in the first verse, obadiah.
There is no additional information about this prophet, even though the name obadiah is frequently found in the old testament, identifying at least a dozen different persons. Study guide for obadiah by david guzik blue letter bible. This lesson allows the student to become acquainted with the important content of the verses and chapters of this book of the bible. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. Gods people, who were once exiles, will once again possess the land that they had taken originally from the canaanites. Watch our overview video on the book of obadiah, which breaks down the literary. I binge watch it everyday along with reading my bible. Book of obadiah overview insight for living ministries. Obadiah is the shortest book in the old testament and is not quoted in the new testament. Divine considerations upon sin, death, judgment, heaven, affliction, riches, contentation. Arise yee, and let vs rise vp against her in battell.
Title the book is named after the prophet who received the vision 1. Because of this they will suffer gods wrath at the day of the lord that comes on all nations. The authors name is obadiah, which means servant or worship of the lord his was a common name as is found in many other places in the old testament 1 kings 18. Obadiah is a case study of the cursesblessings in gen. Obadiah, the shortest book in the old testament, is the pronouncement of doom against an ancient and longforgotten nation, the land of edom. The shortest book in the old testament and among all the writing prophets, obadiah provides an overview of the message presented in each of the writing prophets. Nothing is known of the author, although his prophecy against edom, a neighbor and rival of israel, indicates a date of composition sometime after the babylonian destruction of jerusalem in 587 b. Obadiah has the dubious distinction of being the shortest book in the old testament. Welcome to the study of the shortest book in the word. Introduction to the book of obadiah in the bible obadiah 1. It is comprised of a single oracle, spoken by a prophet of that name. The chief difficulty with the prophecy of obadiah is where to fit it into the history of the nation israel.
Its authorship is difficult to date but was possibly written about 853841 b. The text consists of a single chapter, divided into 21 verses, making it the shortest book in the hebrew bible. Pastor paul leboutiller of calvary chapel ontario oregon teaches through the book of obadiah. In favor are the many similarities between the book of obadiah and jeremiah 49. Introduce the book of obadiah by explaining that we do not know much about the prophet obadiah except that he may have prophesied after the capture of jerusalem by the babylonians in 586 b. Murrell an anonymous british engraving, london 1676.
Consequent upon the overthrow of edom is the enlargement of the borders of judah and the establishment of the kingship of yahweh. Obadiah is a little book, but it is an example of an atomic bomb in the bible. Gods judgment on the unbelieving gentiles who opposed gods chosen people israel, and gods grace and ultimate deliverance of the believing israel. The book of obadiah is a book of prophetic oracles. So obadiah is just a prophet who wrote one of the great prophecies of the scripture. More than ten persons of the ot bear the same name but none of them is identical with the prophet. Obadiah announces edoms downfall to babylon, which is an image of how god will bring down all arrogant and violent nations.
For example wood suggests that obadiahs inclusion amidst ninth or eighth century prophets would be strange if 3 ibid. The book of obadiah introduction to the book of obadiah in the bible. The facts and information provide an outline for obadiah bible study guide by chapter and verse and the purpose of this book of the bible. It is a book of unmitigated condemnation, unrelieved by any suggestion of compassion or hope. Obadiah, the shortest book in the old testament, is only 21 verses long. This is the central message of the bible so clearly presented in the little book penned by an ancient prophet named obadiah. Obadiah meansservant of the lord and occurs 20 times in the ot, referring to at least 20 other ot individuals. The book is named after the prophet who received the vision 1.
Obadiah announces edoms downfall to babylon, which is an image of how. Obadiah means servant of the lord and occurs 20 times in the old testament, referring to many other old testament individuals. The prophesy is entirely against edom, the descendants of esau, the brother to jacob who was the father of the. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. They debate its author and date of composition, and they point to the striking similarity between passages in obadiah and jeremiah to question whether obadiah. Study scripture verses and use highlighting, underlining, and take notes in the bible.
The scriptures have that beautiful faculty of appearing to be one thing on the surface, but on a deeper level, yielding rich and mighty treasures. Obadiahs prophecies, haughty edom to be brought low for violence against jacob. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. The edomites are accused of cruelty and supporting israels enemies. Summary of the book of obadiah the story of the bible. Wee haue heard a rumour from the lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen. Introduction the author the author of the book is named obadiah which means servant of yahweh. Obadiah within the book of the twelve, or what we call the minor prophets. The smallest book in the old testament may also be one of the least known prophecies. A free bible version and commentary on the book of obadiah in easyenglish. Edoms pride and downfall is disclosed in the book of.
Holman christian standard bible study bible hcsb study bible sample comment on obadiah 1921 the land of edom will be given to the israelites living in the negev, or the southern section of the land. This fact makes it difficult to date the time of writing. Obadiah was sent to declare gods judgment on edomthe descendants of esau. Pusey said, god has willed that his name alone and this brief prophecy should be known to the world. Obadiah free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The book of the prophet obadiah is the shortest book of the ot with 21 verses only. An obadiah was an officer in king ahab of israels court and hid gods prophets in a cave 1 kings 18. This summary of the book of obadiah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of obadiah. For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually. While several options have been proposed by scholars, the best argument places obadiah in the 840s bc, making him the earliest writing prophet, a few years prior to joel, and a contemporary of elisha. The smallest old testament account, the book of obadiah is a vision written by the lords prophet known as obadiah, who prophesied against israels relative nation edom. The continuing dispute between jacobisrael and esau. The edomites are descendants of esau and the israelites are descendants of his twin brother, jacob. The purpose of obadiah is to show that god will judge all those who are against his children, his chosen people.
What sets obadiah apart from the rest of the bible. Some have guessed that he was the earliest of the minor prophets, while others have said that he lived after the babylonians destruction of jerusalem. There are obadiahs in the old testament, and one of these may the obadiah who wrote this book. The authors name is obadiah, which means servant or worshiper of the lord. The day of the lord is near for the day of the lord is near upon all the nations. Watch our overview video on the book of obadiah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Obadiah verse 1 identifies the author of the book of obadiah as the prophet obadiah. The bible does not reveal anything regarding the prophet obadiah. Obadiah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. From the historical references in the book, we can locate obadiahs ministry in judah. Obadiah is a prophet of god who uses this opportunity to condemn edom for sins against both. Obadiah is a prophet of god who uses this opportunity to condemn edom for sins against both god and israel. We do not know anything of the books author but his name obadiah servant or worshipper of jehovah.
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