End times Bible Prophecy | Obadiah | Day of the Lord
Context:
Obadiah was an obscure prophet, who probably lived in the southern kingdom of Judah. Nothing is known of his hometown or family. Obadiah is a brief prophetic book that pronounces God’s judgment against the Edomites, ancient enemies of the nation of Israel. A struggle that began in the womb between twin brothers Esau and Jacob eventuates in a struggle between their respective descendants, the Edomites and the Israelites.
It is difficult to determine whether Obadiah is a pre-exilic or exilic book due to lack of sufficient historical references. The invasion of Jerusalem spoken about in the book could be during the reign of King Jehoram (848-841 B.C. – making it pre-exilic) when the Philistines and Arabians invaded Judah and looted the palace. Edom had revolted against Judah during this time and became a bitter antagonist. The other possibility is that it refers to the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, beginning in 605 B.C. and ending with its final destruction in 586 B.C. In that case, the book must have been written abruptly after the fall of the city, perhaps while the Israelites were still in captivity in Babylonia. Verses 10-14 describe the connivance of Edom in these invasions.
In any case, Obadiah proclaims that the ‘Day of the Lord’ upon all the nations is near and he has a message from the Lord for us.
Reference:
“For the day of the Lord upon all nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head.
But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”
(Obadiah 1:15, 17, 21 – NKJV)
Message:
The prophecy of Obadiah is merciless and in a vengeful spirit. However it shows close identification of the Lord with His people. Whoever abuses God’s people becomes the enemy of God. Furthermore God had already visited His own people in judgment and therefore it is consistent with His moral government that He will not exempt others. It reinforces the prophetic conviction that the Lord is sovereign deity over all human history. ‘The Day of the Lord’ mentioned in this book refers to the last Day of Judgment (Obad. v.1 and 15-16). We must be careful not to interpret Obadiah as mere nationalistic propaganda against a hated enemy, be it Edom or Assyria, but what we must keep in mind is that Yahweh is guiding the history of the nations to Him alone.
So, according to Obadiah the ‘Day of the Lord’ was not only for those who had persecuted the nation of Israel but it depicted the final judgment to fall upon all the nations. It will be a day when God will judge the pagan nation of Edom for their misconduct with the people of God. The thing which is noteworthy is that, even in this situation the possibility which the Israelites held on to was one of ultimate re-establishment of their home land. The core of the Israel’s community refused to accept their current situation as final. They were filled with bitter hatred for those who were responsible for their current woes. Eagerly they awaited Yahweh’s judgment on the nations that persecuted them bitterly. The Holy City pressed upon their hearts; they prayed for its restoration and for Yahweh’s intervention to judge and punish their enemy.
Edom’s major crime against Israel was that of gloating over the invasion of Jerusalem. Edom rejoiced when foreigners plundered God’s city and became as one of her enemies. Instead of being an ally, Edom became an aggressor against God’s people. They gazed on Jerusalem’s affliction and laid hands on their substance (v.13). They stood at crossroads on the day of calamity to kill those who were trying to escape and deliver up to the enemy those who remained (v.14). Edom was a continual enemy of God’s people in spite of originating from the same womb as Israel.
Obadiah carries one of the strongest messages of judgment in spite of being the shortest books in the Old Testament. There are no pleas to return, no words of consolation or hope for Edom. Their fate is sealed and there are no conditions for deliverance. God will bring total destruction upon Edom and no survivor will remain.
Lesson:
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.”
(Matt 24:9-10 – NKJV)
Jesus told that one of the signs of the end times will be that of betrayal. For His name’s sake, our own people will hate us and deliver us up for persecution and killing. This is a reality in many countries of the world today where Christians are persecuted for their faith by their own families and dear ones.
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matt 24:13 – NKJV)
Will you be there for Jesus till the end?
Obadiah reminds us that the judgment of God on the betrayers will be severe. There will be no hope, no consolation, and no survivor. God’s sovereignty extends over all of human history.
Written by: Jobenson
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