Obadiah: Bible Character Study

Introduction

Obadiah's whole book is twenty-one verses. We know nothing about him except his name, which was common. His message is for Edom, the nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. Edom lived high in the rocky mountains south-east of the Dead Sea and thought no one could bring it down.

When Jerusalem fell, Edom stood aloof, gloated, looted and handed over survivors. Obadiah says that pride has deceived them. Though they soar like the eagle and set their nest among the stars, God will bring them down. As you have done, it shall be done to you. But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.

As you have done, it shall be done to you
(ESV)

Name means: “Servant of the LORD”
Home: Probably Judah
Role: Prophet against Edom
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Obadiah's story

Beginning
A message for Edom
A vision concerning Edom.
Turning point
The pride of your heart
Edom's lofty security is a lie.
Low point
You should not have gloated
Edom stood by and joined in Jerusalem's ruin.
Turning point
As you have done
The day of the LORD comes for all nations.
Ending
The kingdom shall be the LORD's
Deliverance on Mount Zion.

Starts as an unknown servant with a message. Ends as the voice that said the kingdom shall be the LORD's.

Where Obadiah lived and went

Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.

HomeMinistryKey momentTraditional or uncertainPinch or use + to zoom. Tap a cluster to spread it out.

Scripture says nothing about where Obadiah lived.

How Obadiah is wired

Why there's no type here

We know nothing about Obadiah except his twenty-one verses, so a type would be guesswork.

Strengths & struggles

What's good in Obadiah

Spoke for the weak against the cruel (). Held out hope for God's people ().

Where Obadiah struggles

Scripture records nothing about him.

What Obadiah wanted most

That the kingdom would be the LORD's ().

What Obadiah feared most

Scripture does not say.

Obadiah's people

Jacob

The Lord

The LORDGave him the vision ().

Family

JacobEdom's violence was against its brother Jacob (Obad 1:10).

Opposed

EdomThe nation he warned, descended from Esau ().

Family of Faith

See where Obadiah fits

AbrahamJesus

c. 600–550 BC (debated). Connected to Jesus through Jacob → The woman at the well.

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Where this points to Christ

Obadiah ends with saviors on Mount Zion and the kingdom belonging to the LORD. Jesus brought that kingdom.

Edom's sin was pride and cruelty to a brother in trouble (). Jesus told of a Samaritan who did the opposite (), and he himself came near to the people others passed by. The kingdom Obadiah promised arrives when Jesus says, The kingdom of God is at hand ().