Edom's Anti-Semitism

OB

Obadiah (1)

Chronological Summary

I. His ministry

A. He was the Jewish superintendent of the palace during the reign of wicked King Ahab (1 Kings 18:3).

B. He was a secret (and somewhat timid) believer who had hidden and fed 100 prophets of God in two caves during the bloody purge of Jezebel (1 Kings 18:3–4).

II. His mission—He was sent on a mission by Ahab to find water during a terrible drought (1 Kings 18:5–6).

III. His meeting (1 Kings 18:7–16)

A. En route, Obadiah met Elijah the prophet.

B. After some fearful objections, he granted Elijah’s request and arranged a meeting between the prophet and Ahab.

Statistics

First mention: 1 Kings 18:3

Final mention: 1 Kings 18:16

Meaning of his name: “Servant of Jehovah”

Frequency of his name: Referred to seven times

Biblical books mentioning him: One book (1 Kings)

Occupation: Chief assistant to King Ahab (1 Kings 18:3)

Important fact about his life: He was Ahab’s steward who once hid 100 prophets from Jezebel and met Elijah (1 Kings 18:7–13).

Obadiah (2)

Chronological Summary

I. The house of Edom, to be reduced by God (Obad. 1–16)

A. Edom’s contempt for God

1. Their thankless heart (1–10)

2. Their treacherous hand (10–14)

B. Edom’s condemnation by God (15–16)

II. The house of Jacob, to be restored by God (17–21)

A. They would occupy the land of God.

B. They would obey the Lamb of God.

Theological Summary

I. Obadiah wrote the shortest Old Testament book.

II. He may have been the first of the minor prophets.

III. He was one of three prophets who wrote exclusively to a non-Jewish nation.

A. Habakkuk wrote to Babylon.

B. Nahum wrote to Assyria.

C. Obadiah wrote to Edom.

Statistics

First mention: Obadiah 1:1

Final mention: Obadiah 1:1

Meaning of his name: “Servant of God”

Frequency of his name: Referred to one time

Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Obadiah)

Important fact about his life: He predicted the divine destruction of Edom (Obad. 1–14).

Harold Willmington, Willmington’s Complete Guide to Bible Knowledge: OT People, Willmington’s Complete Guide to Bible Knowledge. (Tyndale House Publishers, 1990).ADIAH