Our new friend this month is Obadiah, a prophet who was
probably writing around 580BC although my KJV Study Bible indicates a possible
alternative date of ca 848BC.
The Bible mentions the name Obadiah 20 times, but all but
two of these refer to other chaps, not our prophet.
Mr. Obadiah has an arresting opening paragraph:
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. (Obadiah
1:1 KJV)
The NLT translates the Hebrew text like this:
This is the vision that the Sovereign Lord revealed to Obadiah
concerning the land of Edom.
We have heard a
message from the Lord that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say, “Get
ready, everyone! Let’s assemble our armies and attack Edom!”
The reader of this short book will note a focus on the country of Edom*, located south of the Dead Sea. Wikipedia
gives a "theoretical" map - reproduced below.
A short video explaining the topography of ancient Edom (now part of Jordan) is helpful. It's pretty rugged terrain and it was roughly 110 miles (117 kms)
north to south. (As a comparison, the distance from Brisbane CBD to
Maroochydore is about 103km.)
So, why the animosity between two neighbouring countries?
Why did Edom’s trust in the following (noted in my Study Bible) irk Israel?
- 1. Geographical
security (vv. 3-5)
- 2. Diplomatic
treaties (v. 7)
- 3. The counsel
of her famed wise men (v. 8 & Jer. 49:7)
One recent writer gives the reader something to hang on to
when reading this rather difficult book:
“It helps to
understand that [the Minor Prophets] were writing in deeply distressing times,
when they believed that the life of their people was at stake.” (See "Obadiah—Spiritual Forth-teller"
by Michael William Hamilton in The Christian Science Journal May 2008).
As I ponder how animosity can arise between neighbours,
relations, and neighbouring countries, I am reminded of something written by
Mary Baker Eddy:
Nothing will be
lost, however, by those who relinquish their cherished resentments, forsake
animosity, and abandon their strongholds of rivalry.
(The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, Mary Baker Eddy, p.
40:11–14)
Julie Swannell
*Edom is mentioned 97 times in the Bible – more research opportunities!
