Understanding the Book of Obadiah: Historical Context and Background

It’s the shortest book in the Old Testament—only twenty-one verses—and I don’t think I’ve heard it preached or taught. According to my guest, Jonathan Gibson, associate professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, the message of this short book is “the realization of the Lord’s sovereignty and the role reversal of Edom and Judah on the day of the Lord.”

Essential to understanding and teaching the book is its connection to the narrative of Jacob and Esau as Obadiah applies events in the individual biographies of Esau and Jacob to Edom and Judah. Rather than teaching Obadiah as a warning against human pride, Gibson suggests that the book should be presented as as the outworking of God’s covenant promise to Abraham to bless those who blessed him and curse those who dishonored him.

Books by Jonathan Gibson

• From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective (Editor with David Gibson)
• Reformation Worship: Liturgies from the Past for the Present
• The Moon is Always Round

Recommended Resources on Obadiah

• NIV Proclamation Bible
• ESV Expository Commentary, Volume VII with commentary on Obadiah by Max Rogland
• The Minor Prophets, Volume Two edited by Thomas Edward McComisky, with commentary on Obadiah by Jeffrey J. Niehaus
• Obadiah message by David Cook
• Obadiah message by Christopher Wright
• Obadiah lecture (RTS) by Richard Belcher