Obadiah Introduction
Introduction
Jerusalem was the capital city of Judah. The nation of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem 586 years before Jesus was born. At the same time the people of Edom came into Jerusalem. They stole things that belonged to the Israelites. They also stopped people from Judah as they were running away from the soldiers of Babylon. They gave these Israelites to the soldiers of Babylon. These soldiers either killed the Israelites or took them away as slaves.
These were terrible things for the people of Edom to do. The people of Edom were from the same family line as the people of Israel. The people of these two nations were related to each other. And they were neighbors! The people of Edom should have helped the people of Judah. Instead, they hurt them.
The prophet Obadiah was in Judah while all this happened. In his first speech Obadiah condemns the Edomites for their mean treatment of the helpless Israelites. He then tells the people of Edom that they will be destroyed. The last part of Obadiah’s speech brings hope to the Israelites. He states that God is with them. God will bring back their nation of Judah. Obadiah promises the Israelites that in the end the kingdom will belong to God.
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Obadiah Introduction: NIrV
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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
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Obadiah Introduction
Introduction
When Judah’s capital city of Jerusalem fell to the Babylonian army in 587/6 BC, those in the neighbouring kingdom of Edom joined in looting the city. They intercepted fleeing Judeans and turned them over to the Babylonians to be executed or enslaved. They showed no compassion even though they were related to the Judeans. Edom was descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob, who was the ancestor of the Israelites.
The prophet Obadiah seems to have been among those who remained behind when the Judeans were taken into exile. His oracle first rebukes the Edomites for their ruthless treatment of their helpless neighbours and foretells their destruction. He then assures the people of his community that God would restore their fortunes. He assures Judah that in the end, the kingdom will be the Lord’s.
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®
Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.