Obadiah 1-9: The Destruction of Edom
1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
4 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.
5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?
6 How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.
8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
9 And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
The first nine verses of Obadiah promises a conclusion to the animosity between Edom and Israel which began centuries earlier with their progenitors, Jacob and Esau. The contention between them over the birthright started a never-ending conflict. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, Genesis 32:28, and Genesis 26:1 tells us: “Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.”
What is coming upon Edom is from God. In his vision, Obadiah is told that God would send a messenger to marshall nations to come against Edom. When the Lord has planned something nothing can stop it. Edom’s destiny is sealed. The destruction of Edom is clear from verses 2 and 4. “I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised,” and “I [will] bring thee down.”
Edom was a highly defensible entity. Its main stronghold was the capital of Edom, the area of Pet
ra. Petra was virtually impregnable. The Siq, the main entrance into Petra, was one mile in length and very narrow, making it difficult for armies to attack the city.
Understanding the layout of Petra one can fathom the pride and arrogance of Edom when it stated, “…thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?”
Pride is perhaps the foundational sin of man. But, as with Edom, “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee…”
There is no place a nation or man can hide from God. When His time of judgment has arrived there is no diverting it. “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,” vs. 4.
Verse 5 compares the coming destruction of Edom with that of a robber at night and a gatherer of grapes. A robber will take what he wants and leave the rest. The harvester of grapes would always leave some behind. But, God’s destruction will be complete. Nothing will be left of Edom when He is through. The hidden things of Edom, vs. 6, is known by God and revealed in His destruction.
Verses 7-9 detail the “tools” God will use to destroy Edom. Edom’s friends, speaking of the Nabateans, will turn on her. The nations will revolt against her. But, make no mistake, God is the destroyer of Edom, vs. 8-9, and her wise and mighty men.
Edom’s destruction is certain. It is unescapable. The next section, vs. 10-16, tell us why Edom is doomed. It is the same reason for the doom and destruction of nations throughout history – anti-Semitism!