Obadiah

The vision of Obadiah concerns Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother (Gen. 36:1). Their hand has always been against Israel (Gen. 27:40-41). We see this in their attitude when Israel was in need (Ps. 137:7; Ezek. 35:15). They are determined to cut off Israel from being a nation (Ps. 83:4-8; Ezek. 35:10). Doeg was an Edomite (1 Sam. 21-22), as was Haman (Esther 3:1; 1 Sam. 15:8; Gen. 36:9, 12).
Although Edom, along with several other nations, may be found in the prophets as coming under the judgment of God, such is the importance of the subject that the entire book, though brief, is dedicated to Edom alone.
Edom’s disposition towards Jacob is again noticed when Jerusalem is sacked. Esau was among the enemy standing in the crossway to cut off those who tried to escape (Obad. 11, 14). So complete will God’s judgment be upon this small but proud nation, that none will remain (Obad. 18). “For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever” (Obad. 10). “The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions” (Obad. 17).