Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 323
IMMERSED IN OBADIAH
T H E P E O P L E O F E D O M were
neighbors to the people of Judah. They
lived in the rocky, mountainous region south of the Dead Sea, a place
scarcely accessible to attacking armies. This made the Edomites complacent about their safety and security, confident and proud that no
one could harm them.
When the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, the Edomites joined
in the attack. After the city fell, they pillaged it. They even captured
people from Judah who were fleeing and either killed them or sold
them into slavery.
Two of the Lord ’s prophets warned the Edomites in very similar
terms that because they had done this, they also would be conquered
and devastated. One of these prophets was Jeremiah, who included
a denunciation of Edom in his oracles against the nations. The other
prophet was a man named Obadiah. We know nothing about Obadiah
other than the fact that he, too, delivered an oracle against Edom.
Speaking for the Lord , Obadiah told the Edomites, “You have been
deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and
make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way
up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and
build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down.”
And that is just what happened. After accepting the Edomites’ help
in their campaign against Jerusalem, the Babylonians turned against
them and devastated them so thoroughly that they ceased to be a nation. And so Obadiah’s words were fulfilled: “If thieves came at night
and robbed you . . . they would not take everything. Those who harvest
grapes always leave a few for the poor. But your enemies will wipe you
out completely!”
The first half of Obadiah’s oracle against Edom is very similar to the
first half of Jeremiah’s, though the material in Obadiah is longer and in
a slightly different order. Toward the end, the focus of the oracle shifts
to Jerusalem and a promise about its future. The exiles of Israel will
return and reclaim their ancient inheritance. God himself will come to
rule from Mount Zion.
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