The first few verses of the book of Obadiah identify him with YHWH through the title and role of prophet. The role of prophet here is one who speaks for God, but is a concept the bible borrows from other places. Originally God wanted to speak directly to his people (Exodus 1:19) but per Israel’s request he spoke to them through Moses. The people understood figures that spoke for the king in order to inform them of his word. There would have been figures like this in Egypt taking on a leadership role and communicating to the propel the will of the king. As referenced above, this type of politically organization was not necessarily God’s desire for his people. Through Abraham’s original call narrative, it’s evident God wanted more of a familial organization, and continues to try to reunite Israel with himself, helping them understand who he is in order to achieve an authentic relationship with him. It seems that being politically aligned can distance or distort ones authentic understanding and
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He depicts Edom (the descendants of Esau) as prideful and reprimands them for not opening their borders to the Israelites when Babylon came on the scene. “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.” (Obadiah 1:10) Obadiah works to unify Israel by identifying Edom as a common enemy. However, Babylon was really the one who inflicted violence. Edom did not open their borders as it would have turned Babylon against them, and they had already surrendered achieving a type of peace Israel did not. Obadiah paints Edom, a reasonable target that could be overcome by Israel as an enemy, while Babylon was the rightful target but not logical for Israel to fight and overcome. Obadiah proclaims that the violence that will come upon Edom through Israel to be judgment from
He depicts Edom (the descendants of Esau) as prideful and reprimands them for not opening their borders to the Israelites when Babylon came on the scene. “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.” (Obadiah 1:10) Obadiah works to unify Israel by identifying Edom as a common enemy. However, Babylon was really the one who inflicted violence. Edom did not open their borders as it would have turned Babylon against them, and they had already surrendered achieving a type of peace Israel did not. Obadiah paints Edom, a reasonable target that could be overcome by Israel as an enemy, while Babylon was the rightful target but not logical for Israel to fight and overcome. Obadiah proclaims that the violence that will come upon Edom through Israel to be judgment from