Israel had trouble with the Herods long before the time of Christ. The Herods were the last of a line of Jew-haters known as the Edomites. These people lived high in the mountains overlooking Israel and constantly harassed them. Four times, they had taken part in assaults against Jerusalem; and anytime they could help another nation torment Israel, they would gleefully jump to the task. They were descendants of Esau, and their hatred was pointed and malicious. Obadiah preached his searing sermons to the evil Edomites.
Little is known of the personal life of the prophet Obadiah. This is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It is composed only of his scorching tirades against Edom. Although he may also have preached to Israel, these are the only messages preserved in the Bible. The crux of Obadiah's sermon is that God will bring judgment on Edom for her evil acts. They could not rely on their secure position, their wise men, or friends to save them. Judgment would fall. The prophecy was fulfilled four years later when Babylon turned on Edom, killing them without mercy. The Edomites were forever washed from the pages of history in A.D. 70 by the cruel Romans.
Nothing can stop the sure judgments of God. Too many men sow their wild oats and then pray for a crop failure. However, we always receive back what we give out. Obadiah's message is an eternal one. When one lives by the sword, he dies by the sword. Had they repented, they could have been spared the sorrow ahead. But they laughed at the prophet--and reaped their fate.
“Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.”
Obadiah 1:4 KJV
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