BEN F. VICK, JR.
The shortest book in the Old Testament, which is never quoted in the New Testament, is the book of Obadiah. The author was Obadiah, a name attached to thirteen men in the Old Testament. No one can speak with certainty as to who this Obadiah was. The twenty-one verses were written to Edom, a small country located south of the Dead Sea. It was about 50 miles wide and 100 miles long, stretching from the southern end of the Dead Sea to the eastern branch of the Red Sea. There are two schools of thought as to the date of the book. One view is that it was written in 587 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar's army ransacked the city, having razed the walls, burned the palaces and the temple, and having deported the king and others. However, there is no mention of any of these things in the short book. The second view is when the Arabs and Philistines attacked Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoram around 845 B.C. (2 Chron. 21:16). This date seems more plausible to some; however, I lean toward the late date. It makes no difference because the message is the same.
Though the book of Obadiah is short, it is not without some valuable lessons. Paul wrote, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. 3:16-17.) Thus, to the Roman saints, Paul penned these words: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15:4.)
The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. Though twins, they differed in physical appearance, disposition, and later, in spiritual concerns, as two could be. Esau was born red and hairy and became a cunning hunter. He was an outdoorsman. Jacob, which means "heel-grabber," grew to be a plain man, dwelling in tents. "Plain" means gentle or a quiet sort of person. He was more of a homebody, as we might use the expression.
The writer of Hebrews calls Esau a profane man. Profane means ungodly or worldly. He sold his birthright for a pottage of lentils or a bowl of beans. He was thinking of the here and now rather than the spiritual and the eternal. So, in a moment of weakness, Jacob took advantage of him. Jacob also stole his blessing (Gen. 27). Isaac told Jacob, having thought he was Esau, "let thy mother's sons bow down to thee." (Gen. 27:29.) Esau's descendants would serve Jacob's descendants (Gen. 25: 23; 27:40.) After Jacob had stolen the blessing from him, Esau found peace in the thought that he would slay his brother (Gen. 27:41-42.) That is sad to think that one would find peace of mind in the idea of murdering or harming one's brother. But that is the mindset of a profane man.
Just as friction existed between Jacob and Esau, their descendants also had troubled times. The history of the Edomites and Israel was always stormy, even though God had told Israel not to meddle with them (Deut. 2:4- 6). Nevertheless, the Edomite was not to be abhorred (Deut. 23:7). When Israel arrived on the border of Edom, they requested permission to pass through their land. They had promised that they would not take anything but travel the king's highway; however, Edom met them at their border with the sword in hand, ready to wipe them out if they attempted to pass through their country. As history reports, Israel circled Edom to avoid a battle with her brother, Edom. King Saul made war against Edom (I Sam. 14:47). King David subdued them during his reign (I Kings 11:14-16; I Chron. 18:11-13). He put garrisons in Edom (II Sam. 8:14). God said, "Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me." (Psalms 60:8. See also 108:9, 10.) Edom became confederates of Jehoshaphat (II Kings 3:9,26). She revolted in the days of Joram (II Kings 8:20-22). Later, Edom joined forces with the enemies of Judah (Ezek. 35:5; Amos 1:11-12; Obadiah 11-16). There were also prophecies about Edom (Jeremiah 49: 7-22; Ezek. 35). She was an enemy of Israel, ultimately being subdued by the Maccabees. John Hyrcanus forced the Edomites to follow the law of Moses. The Idumeans from whom the Herods came were descendants of Edom. Isaiah the prophet wrote, "The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?" (Isaiah 21:11.) What are the things that would bring Edom down?
--To be continued