The Minor Writing Prophets VIII: Obadiah - an advisor

This week in our series we come to Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament. It is only one chapter by a prophet that we know little about, including when he lived. Many scholars suggest that this prophecy likely came in the aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem in 587BCE to the Babylonians. In any case, as Obadiah declares his oracle against Edom for how they treated Judah, he offers some advice for us to consider as well.

First, Obadiah suggests that we should not be prideful. The Edomites lived in a setting in which they believed they were safe from attack. They took pride in their defenses, yet Obadiah declares that God would bring them down to size. We too should be careful of boasting and becoming prideful, after all "Pride comes before a fall."

Second, Obadiah advises that we should not gloat and be boastful especially when someone is experiencing misfortune. While Judah was being overrun by Babylon, Edom took advantage of their weakness and did things against Judah. The way of the world is to take advantage of and revel in the misfortune of others, especially those that we do not particularly like. But that should not we our way. We should not "kick a guy when he is down."

Third, Obadiah suggests that what we have done will be done to us. Edom had mistreated Judah and now Obadiah was declaring that this would come back on them. They would now experience what Judah had experienced. We have heard it said that "you reap what you sow." And Jesus tells us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Obadiah declares the word of the Lord against Edom. In the process, he offers some advice for how we too should live.