A Foreshadowing of the Righteous King
Jesus in the Book of Obadiah
Have you read the book of Obadiah recently? Unless you're on a chronological reading plan, probably not. The tiniest book in the Old Testament, just 21 verses long, is easy to overlook. But don’t let its size fool you. Obadiah is a small but powerful prophetic book, filled with messianic and redemptive truths that speak deeply to the human heart and ultimately point to the return and reign of Jesus Christ, when He will make all things new.
Though rooted in a specific moment in history, Obadiah’s message carries timeless truths about pride, justice, restoration, and the promises of God, including the one first given to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3:
"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse..."
Obadiah is, in part, a declaration that God has not forgotten this covenant. Nowhere is that more evident than in the judgment pronounced on Edom for its betrayal of Israel. Their conflict (born from the sibling rivalry between Esau and Jacob) had existed for generations, but God’s justice, as revealed in Obadiah, showcases His enduring commitment to His people. What began as a family wound became a national reckoning, and through it all, God proves Himself faithful to His promise.
Edom’s Sin: A Legacy of Resentment and Pride
The nation of Edom descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, from whom came the nation of Israel. From the beginning, the brothers had a strained relationship. Esau’s bitterness over the loss of his birthright and blessing (Genesis 25 and 27) never fully dissolved, and that resentment had a generational impact.
During Israel’s wilderness journey, Edom refused to show kindness to the Israelites and allowed them safe passage through their land (Numbers 20:14-21). But the rivalry didn’t end there. Centuries later, at Israel's lowest point, the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, Edom sided with Babylon and participated in the desecration of the Holy City. Their betrayal and gloating did not go unnoticed by God:
“Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, ‘Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!’”
(Psalm 137:7)“The punishment of your iniquity, O daughter of Zion, is accomplished… but your iniquity, O daughter of Edom, he will punish.”
(Lamentations 4:21–22)
Obadiah opens with a divine indictment of Edom’s pride and cruelty. God declares regarding Edom:
“I will make you small among the nations…”
“The pride of your heart has deceived you…”
“Shame shall cover you…”
“You will be cut off forever…”
From the very beginning, Obadiah reveals God’s faithfulness to His covenant made in Genesis 12: those who curse His people will face judgment. This underscores how seriously God upholds His promises and how deeply He cares for His people (both in ancient times and today). In a world marked by injustice and betrayal, this assurance of ultimate restoration stands as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering love for His people (while this only included the Israelites back in Old Testament days, because of Jesus, we who believe are also brought into this everlasting promise today). With this foundation, the book then turns its focus sharply to Edom: the nation whose pride and treachery led them to face God’s righteous judgment.
The Day of the Lord: Judgment and Restoration
The tone of Obadiah shifts in verse 15:
“For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.”
This moment becomes the prophetic pivot, not just for Edom, but for all nations. The “Day of the Lord” is both a historic moment and a foreshadowing of what is to come, that is, the arrival of Jesus at His first coming and the final judgment and restoration at His return.
For those who reject God, like the nation of Edom, the Day of the Lord brings a sobering and tragic end. But for those who trust in Him, it is a day of hope, justice, and ultimate restoration. This profound contrast, judgment for the proud, salvation for the humble, points us to the redemptive work of Jesus, who will one day judge the nations and fully restore His people. That’s why, as His followers, we’re called to be agents of His lovingkindness, reflecting His love and mercy and helping others find the hope found only in Him. In a world that is both utterly broken and also hungry for hope and truth, it matters because eternity is real, and we’ve been given the sacred task of bringing Good News to others.
Saviors and the True Savior
Verse 21 is especially striking:
“Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.”
These “saviors” were likely God-appointed deliverers or agents of justice in Israel’s history. Yet they also serve as foreshadowings of the one true Savior, Jesus Christ, who ascended not just to Zion, but to the right hand of the Father, where He reigns forever.
The book closes with a bold declaration:
“And the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.”
This is the gospel in miniature. Every human kingdom (from Edom, Babylon, and Rome, to contemporary nations today) passes away. But God’s kingdom will stand forever, ruled by His Messiah. Jesus is the King.
What This Means for Us Today
Obadiah may be a mere 21 verses written thousands of years ago, but its message is timeless. It serves as both a warning and a promise:
Pride deceives and destroys: Like Edom, we fall when we trust in our strength, our status, or our self-made success. Pride is a path to destruction.
God sees and responds to injustice: God has not forgotten His people or ignored the cries of the oppressed. In a world marked with tragedy, this is a deeply assuring reminder.
We will all give an account: “As you have done, it shall be done to you.” (v. 15). How we live matters.
God keeps His promises: Just as He upheld His word to Abraham, then fulfilled His plan through Christ, God continues His redemptive work today.
As Paul echoes in Galatians 6:7:
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
Even when it feels like the enemy is winning, Obadiah reminds us that God's justice is not delayed; it is deliberate. His redemption is sure. In response, we are invited to examine our hearts and align our lives with His truth.
A Heart Reflection: How Should We Respond?
Obadiah is not just a historical record or a prophetic warning: it’s a mirror.
The pride that deceived Edom still tempts us today. In a culture driven by self-exaltation, bitter quarrels, and individualism (even within some corners of our faith communities), we’re quick to equate influence with impact, platform with purpose, and power with obedience. But God is calling us to something radically different: surrender, humility, and trust.
So we ask ourselves:
What truly drives my heart?
Where am I relying on my own strength rather than God's?
Do I harbor resentment or take quiet satisfaction in the struggle of others?
Am I aligning my life with God’s heart for justice, mercy, and grace?
Obadiah’s message is clear: the path of pride leads to ruin, but the way of humility leads to restoration. The right response is not merely awareness—it’s repentance. A humble, honest prayer:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart.
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
Jesus, our Savior, invites us into a kingdom not built on self-rule but on truth, grace, and justice. May we be a people marked not by personal power, but by surrendered hearts, humble obedience, and a deep longing for His coming reign.