A Teaching Outline for the Book of Obadiah

As the shortest book in the Old Testament, one would think that Obadiah would be among the more familiar passages of Scripture. Sadly, such is not the case. And because Obadiah was preaching primarily to an ancient pagan nation (one of only two minor prophets who did so—the other being Jonah), some might see little of value in this short prophecy. But again, such is not the case.

The historical setting for Obadiah takes us to the 9th century BC, in which Jehoram, king of Judah, followed in the idolatrous footsteps of many of his predecessors (cf. 2 Chron. 21:4-16). Like the kings of Israel in the north, Jehoram “made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot and led Judah astray” (2 Chron. 21:11). According to God’s judgment, not only did the nations of Edom and Libnah revolt against the southern kingdom (cf. 2 Chron. 21:10), but the Lord also “stirred up” the Philistines and Arabs to attack its capital—Jerusalem—just as the prophet Elijah warned (cf. 2 Chron. 21:12-16). During the attacks from these nations, all of King’s Jehoram’s prized possessions were taken, a majority of his family was captured, and he himself was run out of town (cf. 2 Chron. 21:17).

As descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, the Edomites surely knew of the promised blessings of the Abrahamic covenant. Thus, their response to the disaster in Jerusalem should have been that of support and aid for their “brother” nation. Yet, they did just the opposite: not only did they mock and applaud Judah’s defeat (cf. Obad. 1:12), but they even attacked fleeing survivors and celebrated in the desolate city of Jerusalem (cf. Obad. 1:14, 16). Sadly, such hostility was nothing new; Edom had opposed the Israelites for centuries (cf. Num. 20:14-21).

In response, Obadiah was commissioned by God to preach imminent judgment upon the Edomites—not necessarily to bring about their repentance, but Judah’s comfort. After all, God wanted His people to remember not only that He would curse those who curse His people (cf. Gen. 12:3), but that He was “not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever” (2 Chron. 21:7). In other words, Judah was floundering, but not forgotten.

Based on those covenant promises, Obadiah made it clear that Edom’s pride in victory would be short-lived, the security they felt in their mountainous terrain was but an illusion, and ultimately the nation would be “cut off forever” (Obad. 1:3, 10). In fact, just as Edom watched foreigners carry away Judah’s wealth, God’s retributive justice would make sure Edom suffered in the same way: “O how Esau will be ransacked, and his hidden treasures searched out!” (Obad. 1:6). The first two aspects of Obadiah’s prophecy were vividly displayed centuries later when the Romans defeated both Jews and Edomites (known as Idumeans at the time) in 70 AD. While individual Edomites undoubtedly survived that Roman onslaught, the nation as a whole crumbled.

But Obadiah didn’t stop there. He used the occasion to explain that Edom’s judgment was but a preview of judgment coming upon all nations: “For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations” (Obad. 1:15). In the Day of the Lord (which begins immediately after the Rapture of the Church), God will bring every nation to justice. Just as Edom drank wine in Jerusalem in celebration of Judah’s defeat, so too will all nations one day drink in Jerusalem—but rather than consuming wine, they will be consuming the very wrath of God (cf. Obad. 1:15-16, Jer. 25:15-28). In the end, Israel would possess all that was taken from them, triumphing over Edom and every other nation fully and finally, and entering the Millennial Kingdom under the rule of King Jesus (cf. Obad. 1:17, 21). Thankfully, according to God’s grace in the Gospel, all who believe in Christ—whether Jew or Gentile—are fellow heirs of this glorious inheritance (cf. Eph. 2:12-13, Rom. 1:16).

To those who long for justice in the world, Obadiah’s prophecy delivers in three primary ways. First, it teaches us is that the unrepentant enemies of God will not escape judgment, no matter how secure they may feel at the moment. Second, it comforts us to know that the people of God will not endure suffering forever, no matter how difficult their lives are at the moment. Third, and finally, it reminds us that the promises of God are to be trusted, because God will guarantee that they come to pass at just the right moment. May God bless you as you unravel these important truths to your disciples, verse by verse. The following outline is offered to help.

A Day of Ruin for Edom (Obadiah 1:1-14)

Judgment Declared (Obad. 1:1-4)

Judgment Described (Obad. 1:5-9)

Judgment Defended (Obad. 1:10-14)

The Day of the Lord for the World (Obadiah 1:15-21)

Retribution (Obad. 1:15-16)

Redemption (Obad. 1:17-18)

Restoration (Obad. 1:19-21)