Obadiah

Obadiah is a descendant of Job’s friend Eliphaz, and prophesied against Edom (Esau). The Lord went to Obadiah in a vision and told him to warn the people of Esau that they would get destroyed for what they did to their brother Jacob. One of Obadiah’s famous actions was when he hid hundreds of prophets in caves away from Jezebel, who wanted to persecute them. Obadiah was smart by hiding the prophets in two different caves, so if one of the caves got discovered the others would still stand a chance to escape. Obadiah did all he could to help other prophets.

The name Obadiah means “Servant of Yahweh.” We do not know where Obadiah lived. There are many theories on when Obadiah lived. Liberal scholars say Obadiah lived in 585 B.C. Most of the evangelical scholars of present time say Obadiah lived in 845 B.C. We do know Obadiah’s work is from 845 B.C. to 400 B.C.

Obadiah is important Old Testament salvation history because he helped hide some of the other prophets in caves.

Obadiah 1:7
"All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you; those who eat your bread will set a trap for you, but you will not detect it."
Obadiah 1:15
"The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head."
Quotes are from HERE

Outline of the Book of Obadiah

I. Title and Theme
II. Edom Shall Perish
III. The Cause
IV. Judgment upon the Nations
V. Judah Shall Be Restored
The outline is from "The New American Bible"

Quick Question Quiz on Obadiah

1. Who did Obadiah prophesize against?
2. What was Obadiah most famous for doing?
3. What is the meaning of the name Obadiah?
Answers

Great Sites on Obadiah

The Minor Prophet: Obadiah
New Advent Encyclopedia on Obadiah
The Twenty-One Verses of Obadiah

Sources

The Jewish Encyclopedia. Volume 9: New York and London: Funk Wagnalls Company, 1903. page 369

Pazdan, Mary Margaret. Collegeville Commentaries: Joel, Obadiah, Haggai, Zecharaiah, Malachi (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1986)

Maxey, Al. The Minor Prophers: Obadiah. http://www.zianet.com/maxey/Proph4.htm (accessed April 7, 2008)

This website was done by a freshman at SLUH for a theology project.