Title and Author: The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only 21 verses. It is named after its author, Obadiah, whose name means "servant of Yahweh." While little is known about Obadiah's personal life, his prophetic message is clear and concise, focusing on the judgment of Edom and the restoration of Israel.

Historical Context: Obadiah's prophecy is set against the backdrop of the longstanding enmity between Israel and Edom, descendants of Jacob and Esau, respectively. The specific historical context is debated, but many conservative scholars place it around the time of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. During this period, Edom took advantage of Judah's vulnerability, which led to Obadiah's pronouncement of divine judgment against them.

Audience: The primary audience of Obadiah's prophecy is the nation of Edom. However, the message also serves as a warning and a source of hope for the people of Judah. It reassures them of God's justice and the eventual restoration of their nation.

Purpose: The purpose of Obadiah is twofold: to pronounce judgment on Edom for their pride and mistreatment of Judah and to assure the Israelites of God's ultimate justice and their future restoration.

Genre and Style: Obadiah is a prophetic book, characterized by its poetic and vivid imagery. It employs a direct and forceful style to convey its message of judgment and hope.1. Obadiah (Obadiah 1:1)
- Obadiah is the prophet who delivers the vision concerning Edom. The book begins with "The vision of Obadiah," indicating that he is the author and the one receiving the divine message.

2. Edom (Obadiah 1:1)
- Edom refers to the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel). The nation of Edom is the primary subject of Obadiah's prophecy, which condemns them for their pride and their actions against Israel.

3. Esau (Obadiah 1:6)
- Esau is the ancestor of the Edomites. The book references him to highlight the familial connection between Edom and Israel, as Esau was the brother of Jacob.

4. Jacob (Obadiah 1:10)
- Jacob, also known as Israel, is the brother of Esau and the ancestor of the Israelites. The prophecy mentions Jacob to emphasize the betrayal of Edom against their kin.1. Edom (Obadiah 1:1)
- Edom is the central focus of the Book of Obadiah. It is a nation descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel). The book prophesies the downfall of Edom due to its pride and mistreatment of Israel.

2. Mount Esau (Obadiah 1:8)
- This refers to the mountainous region inhabited by the Edomites. It symbolizes the stronghold and pride of Edom, which will be brought low as part of God's judgment.

3. Teman (Obadiah 1:9)
- Teman is a region or city within Edom, known for its wise men. The prophecy indicates that even the wise men of Teman will be dismayed and unable to save Edom from destruction.

4. Mount Zion (Obadiah 1:17)
- Mount Zion represents Jerusalem and the people of Israel. The prophecy foretells that Mount Zion will be a place of deliverance and holiness, contrasting with the judgment on Edom.

5. The Negev (Obadiah 1:19)
- The Negev is a desert region in southern Israel. The prophecy states that the people of Israel will possess the Negev, indicating a restoration and expansion of their territory.

6. The Shephelah (Obadiah 1:19)
- The Shephelah is a lowland region in Israel. It is mentioned as part of the land that will be possessed by the Israelites, signifying their future prosperity and growth.

7. Philistia (Obadiah 1:19)
- Philistia refers to the land of the Philistines, located along the southwestern coast of Israel. The Israelites are prophesied to possess this region as well.

8. Ephraim (Obadiah 1:19)
- Ephraim is a reference to the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophecy includes the restoration of this region to the people of Israel.

9. Samaria (Obadiah 1:19)
- Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. It is mentioned as part of the land that will be reclaimed by the Israelites.

10. Gilead (Obadiah 1:19)
- Gilead is a region east of the Jordan River. The prophecy indicates that this area will also be possessed by the Israelites.

11. Zarephath (Obadiah 1:20)
- Zarephath is a city located in the region of Sidon, north of Israel. The prophecy suggests that the exiles of Israel will return and possess this area.

12. Sepharad (Obadiah 1:20)
- Sepharad is a location of uncertain identification, possibly referring to a region where Jewish exiles were dispersed. The prophecy indicates that these exiles will return to possess the cities of the Negev.1. The Vision of Obadiah (Obadiah 1:1): The book begins with the introduction of Obadiah's vision concerning Edom. It sets the stage for the prophecy against Edom, highlighting that this is a divine revelation.

2. Judgment Pronounced on Edom (Obadiah 1:2-4): God declares that Edom will be made small among the nations and despised. Despite their pride and the security they feel in their mountainous dwellings, they will be brought down.

3. Edom's Betrayal and Violence Against Jacob (Obadiah 1:10-11): Edom is condemned for their violence against their brother Jacob (Israel). During a time of distress for Israel, Edom stood aloof and even rejoiced over their misfortune.

4. The Day of the Lord and Retribution (Obadiah 1:15-16): The prophecy shifts to a broader scope, declaring that the "day of the LORD is near for all nations." As Edom has done, so it will be done to them; their deeds will return upon their own head.

5. The Deliverance and Restoration of Israel (Obadiah 1:17-18): The prophecy promises deliverance for Mount Zion and the house of Jacob. Israel will possess their possessions, and the house of Jacob will be a fire that consumes the house of Esau.

6. The Kingdom of the Lord (Obadiah 1:21): The book concludes with the promise that "the kingdom will be the LORD’s." Deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, signifying the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.1. Judgment Against Edom (Obadiah 1:1-4)
- The central theme of Obadiah is the pronouncement of divine judgment against the nation of Edom. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, are condemned for their pride and arrogance. The prophecy begins with a vision concerning Edom: "We have heard a message from the LORD, and an envoy has been sent among the nations to say, 'Rise up, and let us go to war against her!'" (Obadiah 1:1).

2. Pride and Arrogance (Obadiah 1:3-4)
- Edom's pride is highlighted as a key reason for its downfall. The Edomites believed in their invincibility due to their strategic mountain strongholds. "The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, whose habitation is high, who say in your heart, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?'" (Obadiah 1:3).

3. Retribution and Justice (Obadiah 1:15)
- The theme of divine retribution is evident as Obadiah declares that Edom will face consequences for its actions. The principle of justice is emphasized: "For the Day of the LORD is near for all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your recompense will return upon your own head" (Obadiah 1:15).

4. The Day of the LORD (Obadiah 1:15)
- This theme extends beyond Edom to all nations, indicating a time of divine intervention and judgment. The "Day of the LORD" is a recurring biblical motif representing God's decisive action in history.

5. The Fate of Nations (Obadiah 1:16)
- Obadiah speaks to the broader fate of nations that oppose God and His people. The prophecy warns that nations will drink the cup of God's wrath: "Just as you drank on My holy mountain, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and gulp down and be as if they had never been" (Obadiah 1:16).

6. Restoration of Israel (Obadiah 1:17)
- In contrast to Edom's destruction, there is a promise of deliverance and restoration for Israel. "But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession" (Obadiah 1:17). This theme highlights hope and renewal for God's people.

7. The Kingdom of the LORD (Obadiah 1:21)
- The book concludes with a vision of God's ultimate sovereignty and the establishment of His kingdom. "The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will belong to the LORD" (Obadiah 1:21). This theme underscores the ultimate triumph of God's rule.1. Deliverer (Obadiah 1:17)
- Description: The verse speaks of deliverance on Mount Zion, which Christians interpret as a reference to the ultimate deliverance brought by Jesus. "But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession." This deliverance is seen as a type of the salvation Jesus provides.

2. Judge (Obadiah 1:21)
- Description: The verse mentions saviors coming to judge the mountains of Esau. "Then saviors will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom will be the LORD’s." Jesus is often seen as the ultimate judge who will bring justice and righteousness, fulfilling this role in the eschatological sense.

3. King (Obadiah 1:21)
- Description: The closing verse of Obadiah speaks of the kingdom belonging to the LORD. Christians interpret this as a reference to the messianic kingdom established by Jesus. "And the kingdom will be the LORD’s." Jesus is seen as the King who will reign over this kingdom.

While Obadiah does not directly mention Jesus, these themes are interpreted by Christians as foreshadowing the roles and work of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.1. Prophecy of Destruction of Edom
- Prophecy: "The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Lord GOD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD, and an envoy has been sent among the nations to say, 'Rise up, and let us go to battle against her!' Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you will be deeply despised." (Obadiah 1:1-2)
- Fulfillment: Historically, Edom was conquered by various nations, including the Babylonians and later the Nabateans, leading to its decline and eventual disappearance as a distinct nation.

2. Prophecy of Edom's Betrayal and Judgment
- Prophecy: "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be cut off forever." (Obadiah 1:10)
- Fulfillment: Edom's betrayal of Judah during the Babylonian invasion led to its judgment. The Edomites were eventually absorbed into other cultures and ceased to exist as a separate entity.

3. Prophecy of the Day of the LORD upon All Nations
- Prophecy: "For the Day of the LORD is near for all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your recompense will return upon your own head." (Obadiah 1:15)
- Fulfillment: This prophecy speaks to a broader theme of divine justice that applies to all nations, not just Edom. The principle of retribution is seen throughout history as nations that acted unjustly faced consequences.

4. Prophecy of Restoration of Israel
- Prophecy: "But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession." (Obadiah 1:17)
- Fulfillment: The return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple can be seen as a partial fulfillment of this prophecy. The ultimate fulfillment is often interpreted in eschatological terms, relating to the end times.

5. Prophecy of the Kingdom will be the LORD's
- Prophecy: "The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will belong to the LORD." (Obadiah 1:21)
- Fulfillment: This prophecy is often viewed in a future eschatological context, where God's ultimate sovereignty and the establishment of His kingdom are realized.

1. The Judgment of Edom  ( 1:1⁠–⁠14 )

a. The Destruction of Edom  ( 1:1⁠–⁠9 )

b. The Sin of Edom  ( 1:10⁠–⁠14 )

2. The Day of the LORD for All Nations  ( 1:15⁠–⁠21 )

a. Destruction of the Nations  ( 1:15⁠–⁠16 )

b. The Deliverance of Israel  ( 1:17⁠–⁠21 )