By The Book - Obadiah

by Wayne Blank

Obadiah consists of a single chapter, the shortest book of the Old Testament (see Old Testament Fact File). It deals with Edom and its impending doom (Obadiah 1:1-16), and the restoration of Israel (Obadiah 1:17-21).

The Temple There are 4 falls of Jerusalem on record -

1. By Shishak in the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25-26)

2. By the Philistines and Arabians in the reign of Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:16-17)

3. By Joash, the king of Israel, during the reign of Amaziah (2 Kings 14:13-14) (see Kings of Israel and Judah)

4. By the Babylonians (see Ancient Empires - Babylon), under King Nebuchadnezzar. In Obadiah 1:11-14 he writes of this fall as something that already happened. Apparently, the Edomites were allied with the Babylonians against Israel. This provides the reason for God's judgment against Edom.

The people of Edom were descended from Esau, Jacob's brother (Genesis 25:30, 36:1-8), so by taking the side of Israel's enemies, they were taking the side against their own family.

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