Big Picture: Obadiah encourages the faithful remnant of Judah by showing them God’s looming judgement on Edom, a nation that had rejoiced and participated in their exile. The prophet sees that while God’s people will certainly be restored—Edom will not. More than that, Yahweh’s reign will one day be seen to cover the whole world, including Edom.

Setting: Likely between 586BC (the destruction of Jerusalem) and 553 BC (the Babylonian conquest of Edom).

Edom: The nation of Esau’s descendants located southeast of the promised land. In Hebrew, it looks a lot like the word for “Adam”, and is often used in the bible in a representative fashion for all Godless nations and fallen humanity.

1. God’s looming judgement of Edom (and all sinners)
   • The means and the sentence (1b-4)
   • The scope (5-9)
   • The charges (10-14)
2. Edom’s fate is a model for all other nations, and reminiscent of Judah’s own judgment. (15-16) 3) The differing outcomes after judgement for…
   • Edom (and all who reject God’s promise) (17-18)
   • Judah (and all who cling to God’s promise) (19-21)

The decisive factor: Grace