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Mountains of Edom

Reflections on Obadiah

How does God look upon Edom? Why?
God looked upon Edom with despise and disdain because of his pride, his inaction while his brother is plundered, his participation over the ruin and misfortune of the house of Jacob by gloating and rejoicing over their calamity, even handing them over to their enemy.

The things in which the people of Edom put their confidence:
Their ‘lofty dwelling’, allies, their wise and mighty men.

What will be their punishment? On what basis? (Gen 25:19-34)
The punishment of Edom will be that they will be completely obliterated, even by their own allies! God had already foretold before their birth and declared his love for Jacob, and that Esau (Edom) will serve Jacob. As it turned out, it was Esau who despised his birthright as the eldest son and lost his inheritance over some bread and stew. Edom (descendants of Esau) was going against God’s expressed will by participating in the violence against the descendants of Jacob.

What should be your attitude toward the disaster of other people (even those who have wronged you) and other nations?
Do not stand aloof and do nothing (v11), do not gloat, rejoice or boast over their ruins(v12), do not loot - take advantage of the situation and make some quick money (v13), do not assist in making their suffering worst (v14).

Contrast Edom’s future with the promises given to God’s people.
Following the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, Edomites totally disappeared from history.
In contrast, God’s people shall inherit no less than the kingdom of God!

List the attributes of God which Obadiah’s vision revealed.
God will avenge his people eventually, His words will stand, He is faithful to his people, His kingdom will one day come in its fullness.

“the kingdom shall be the LORD’S”—The prophecy of Obadiah ends on this note of triumph. The final kingdom of peace under the Messiah will come to Jerusalem (Daniel 2:44; 7:14, 27; Zechariah 14:9; Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15; 19:6). (Illumina)