Introduction to the book of Obadiah

Obadiah: The Day of the Lord Is Coming and the Lamb Has Drunk the C

The book of Obadiah is about justice. It gives a prophetic vision of the Day of the Lord, where God Himself will make right what sin has broken. It stands as a warning that no nation, no power, and no proud heart can stand against the Lord forever. Every act of violence and arrogance will be answered by the righteous Judge who sees all.

Obadiah is the smallest book in the Old Testament, and it has one main point found in the prophetic warning given to Edom: the Day of the Lord is coming, and there is a cup of wrath that the nations will be forced to drink. It is a hard message, but that does not minimize its truth. What we now know through the gospel of the kingdom of God is that there is Someone, the person of Christ, who has drunk the cup of the wrath of God on behalf of those who believe, giving them escape from what is coming. The book ends with a picture of glory, for God, who is faithful to His word, will fulfill the promise given to Abraham with a new heaven and a new earth, greater than what was gifted to humanity in Eden.

This prophecy was written against Edom, a nation that descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob. When Israel fell under attack, Edom stood by and watched. Instead of showing compassion, they gloated over their brother’s ruin, joined in the plundering, and handed survivors over to their enemies. Through Obadiah, God declares that their pride would be their downfall. The mountain of Edom, built on false security, would become a desolation. What seemed like strength would collapse under the weight of divine justice.

When this series through Obadiah was preached at FBC Chalmette, the church was in what could be considered a healthy state of being. Perfect? No. Improving? Yes. The message of Obadiah reinforced the importance of staying close to the mission given by Christ in the Great Commission and of keeping our collective eyes on the world to come, where the fulfillment of all God’s promises will be realized. The book’s prophetic warning and final vision of restoration reminded us that the church must remain faithful in its calling while it waits for the return of the King.

Obadiah is a book about divine justice, but it is also a book about grace. It shows us the cost of sin and the certainty of judgment, but it ends with the assurance that God’s kingdom will stand forever. For the believer, this vision leads us not to fear but to worship. We look to the cross and see that the Judge has already acted. The fire that should have consumed us fell on the Lamb, and because of Him, we have peace with God.

My hope is that these reflections help you see the weight and wonder of God’s justice and mercy. The Day of the Lord is coming. For some, it will be terror. For those who are in Christ, it will be joy. May Obadiah lead you to humility, to trust the righteous Judge, and to rest in the King who drank the cup so that you might live.

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