Concise Bible Dictionary:
There is nothing in this prophecy to fix its date. The whole of it relates to Edom or the Edomites. Edom (Esau) is characterized in scripture by his deadly hatred to his “brother Jacob” (Obad. 1:10). His pride is spoken of, exalting himself as the eagle, setting his nest in the firmament of heaven, and seeking his safety in the high caves of the rocks, which well answers to their habitations in Idumea.
Part of the prophecy may refer to the time when Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylon. In Psalm 137:7-8, Edom is associated with Babylon as against Jerusalem. Obadiah 1:12-14 of the prophecy exactly describe the manner of a people like the Arabs when a city was captured. There are seven reproaches against them: they helped to pillage the place, stood in by-places to cut off any that escaped, and delivered them up to their enemies. These intimations of their assisting in the destruction of Jerusalem have led to the prophecy being usually dated B.C. 587, the year following the destruction.
The prophecy, however, probably looks onward to the last days, when Israel, restored to their land, will be attacked by Edom, and kindred nations (Psa. 83). Idumea will be their rendezvous, and the sword of the Lord will be filled with blood (Isa. 34:5-6). Obadiah depicts the Jews themselves as God’s instruments for the destruction of Esau; which agrees with Isaiah 11:14 and Daniel 11:41. “Upon mount Zion shall be deliverance....the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble” (Obad. 1:17-18). The destruction shall be complete: “every one of the mount of Esau” shall be cut off by slaughter; “there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau” (Obad. 1: 9,18). Their land shall be possessed by Israel, for God’s ways are retributive. The prophecy ends with “the kingdom shall be Jehovah’s.”
Bible Handbook:
587 B.C. – 21 Verses
This, shortest of all the prophetical writings in the Old Testament, announces the doom of the Lord upon Edom, the land possessed by the descendants of Esau — Jacob’s brother. Edom will be utterly destroyed in the future deliverance of Judah, and her judgment will be executed by the victorious hosts of Jehovah — the Jewish people (Ezek. 25:14; Isa. 11:14). The pride and arrogancy of the Edomites, secure in their mountain fastnesses and rocky dwellings, is the subject of verses 3 and 4; their destruction would be full and entire, and their friends and confederates would aid in their unsparing doom (verses 5-7); their wisdom in allying themselves with the successful invaders of Judah, would be baffled and all, yea, individually they would be cut off by slaughter (verses 8-9). Language could not be conceived more precise or definite intimating judgment which would clear the land of the Edomites, and utterly exterminate the whole race and house of Esau, than is supplied in verse 18; only be it remembered that this final judgment is yet future, that the people against whom the Lord hath indignation forever is not extinct; they will reappear in the closing days, as will all the nations in their representatives. To man, nations and peoples referred to in that important and early chapter, Genesis 10, have entirely passed off the scene, but not so to God. All collective and individual responsibility has to be answered for in the future; on this earth all the nations who have played their part, will come up in the closing days in their descendants or representatives, and will have meted out to them the judgment due. The land and possessions of Edom and of the Philistines and Canaanites will yet be fully occupied by restored Israel (verses 19-20); the blessed and glorious conclusion of all is stated in verse 21; the world-kingdom of Christ will secure righteousness, power, and glory.
The ground of these judgments upon Edom, the ancient and bitter enemy of Israel, is given us in the touching verses 10-14, in which God rehearses the doings of Esau to His beloved people. It is a serious thing to meddle with the saints of God; they are as the apple of His eye. To do them a wrong is to enter into a controversy with God Himself; to do them a blessing is to merit His hearty commendation.
Esau, the brother of Jacob, thus in a certain external relationship to God began his history by profanely despising the God of blessing (Heb. 12:16-17), and in the course of his descendants we see manifested the most inveterate hatred to Israel. They actively assisted the Babylonians in their attacks upon Jerusalem, seizing the property of the Jews, cutting off their retreat from the city and delivering up those whom they captured, besides proudly rejoicing over the distress of the people and desolation of the city. The Psalmist thus prays: “Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof” (Psa. 137:7). Edom is also prominent in the scenes of the last days, being first named in the wicked confederacy of the nations purposing to cut off the very remembrance of Israel from the earth (Psa. 83:4-18). The land of Edom will also witness to the Lord’s vengeance upon the nations; there they will assemble and there be utterly destroyed — Isaiah 34 giving us the details. Edom’s desolation will be “perpetual,” even as she had a “perpetual” hatred to Israel (Ezek. 35).
It is interesting to note in reference to Jacob and Esau (Rom. 9:13) that the Lord’s call of and love to Jacob are fully expressed in the first book of Scripture, but “Esau have I hated” in the last book of Old Testament Scripture — that is, the race descended from Jacob’s twin brother had fully developed their character, ways, and doings before God records His hatred of them.
Note
Mr. Kelly in his Lectures Introductory to the Study of the Minor Prophets, remarks: “What has been employed to prove a late date is invalid, from forgetting that the prophetic vision presents things future, as already seen. For present time with a prophet is when a prophecy is accomplished, not when it is given. I believe he (Obadiah) was early, not late.”
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