(8) Obadiah

The prophecy of Obadiah presents the judgment of Edom. Most of the points in the summary are not seen in this book because they are not related to the judgment of Edom, with which Obadiah deals. But the little that is mentioned shows us how and when Edom will be judged. This small book of Obadiah shows that the judgment of Edom fell in three phases,#25# ending with its total annihilation from the face of the earth.

Verses 1-14 were fulfilled historically in the time of Nebuchadnezzar. He gathered a great coalition of armies from various nations (Jer. 34:1; 2 Kings 24:2) of which Edom was a part. After having passed through the land of Israel and taken Jerusalem (vv. 11,12), he deceived Edom and another of his confederates (v. 7), entering their countries and plundering them. Verse 1 is a call that echoes among the ranks of the pagan Arab Confederation led by Nebuchadnezzar to turn against Edom. Verse 2 is the result -- Edom is made small in number. Verses 3-4 tell why: its pride. Verses 5-9 show who will execute the judgment: its own confederation. Verses 10-14 expose their guilt for having helped in the destruction of Jerusalem. Although this happened in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, it has prophetic application to the time when the King of the North will pass through the land of Israel on his journey toward Egypt (Dan. 11:40-43). He will practice the same treachery against some of his Arab confederates, and Edom will receive its first blow on that occasion. This is point no. 2 of the summary.

The prophecy of Obadiah then passes over the next few points of the summary, since they are not related to Edom. Verses 15 and 16 speak of the time when Edom will receive the second blow. The pagan nations that follow Russia will gather in Edom while making preparations to invade the land of Israel. As the Russian hordes advance toward the land, the Lord will roar from Zion (He will then have returned and will be in Zion at that occasion) treading the Winepress of His wrath upon them. He will reach as far as Edom (Isa. 34:1-8, 63:1-6). The Lord's judgment on the pagan nations then gathered will be so terrible that the land of Edom will be devastated (Isa. 34:9-15). This event will cause the Edomites to suffer yet another defeat (their second blow). This is point no. 6.

After the Lord has trodden the Winepress of His wrath in Edom, He will lead the armies of the newly regathered Israel in a mighty conquest (Isa. 11:14; Jer. 51:20-23; Mic. 4:13, 5:5-8; Ps. 108:7, 118:10-12). On that occasion, Israel will be given the opportunity to extinguish any remaining Edomite until the last of them is eliminated from the land (vv. 17-21). This is point no. 7.