The book of Obadiah is a one chapter prophecy aimed as retribution at the nation of Edom for the treacheries it perpetrated again the Jewish nation, Judah, when the First Temple was destroyed. It is a prophecy that does not mince words. It speaks of vengeance. Its malice toward this duplicitous nation is tangible, as we note in the following verses:
“If thieves were to come to you, marauders by night, they would steal no more than they needed. If vintners came to you, they would surely leave some gleanings. How utterly are you destroyed! How thoroughly searched out (nehpesu) is Esau, how ransacked (niv’u) his hidden treasures (matzpunav).” (Obadiah 1:5-6)
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Author: Rabbi Mordechai (Mitchell) Silverstein
Keywords: Edom, Esau, Evil inclination, Rome, Yetzer hara, Satan, Devil, Obadiah
Bible reference(s): Obadiah 1
Source: “The Book of Obadiah.”
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.