You who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, you say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?”Obadiah 3 · ESV
Kid mode on · simpler words
A.Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, one chapter aimed at Edom. Edom was the nation of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. The index files the book in its judgment passages beside Ezekiel 35 and Amos 1.Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, just one chapter. It is aimed at Edom, the nation that came from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. So the whole book is really about two brothers.
Mike BickleB.Edom lived high in the rock clefts and felt untouchable. Carved into the cliffs of Petra, they looked down on everyone and said in their hearts, “Who will bring me down?” Pride had talked them into thinking they were safe.Edom lived high up in the cliffs and felt safe from everyone. Their city was carved into the rock, so they looked down on other people and said, “Who could ever bring us down?” Their pride tricked them into feeling untouchable.
ESV textThough you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD.Obadiah 4 · ESV
C.“Though you soar like the eagle, from there I will bring you down.” The higher the perch, the longer the fall. No cliff is tall enough and no nest is high enough to be out of God's reach.“Even if you fly as high as an eagle, I will bring you down.” The higher you climb, the farther you fall. No cliff is tall enough to hide from God, no nest is high enough to be out of His reach.
ESV textD.The real charge is family betrayal. When Jerusalem was sacked, Edom stood at the crossroads, cheered, looted the city, and cut down the ones trying to flee. “Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob.”The real crime is betraying family. When enemies attacked Jerusalem, Edom stood by, cheered, joined the looting, and blocked the people trying to escape. God says it was violence done to their own brother Jacob.
Mike BickleFor the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.Obadiah 15 · ESV
E.“As you have done, it shall be done to you.” The day of the LORD is near on all nations, and Edom's own deeds circle back onto its own head. The measure they used on their brother is the measure God returns.“What you did will be done back to you.” The day of the LORD is coming for every nation, and the harm Edom did comes right back on their own heads. The way they treated their brother is the way they get treated.
ESV textObadiah is a warning about safe-feeling pride. Edom trusted its high rock and its old grudge, gloated over a brother's ruin, and forgot that the day of the LORD comes for the proud too. What you do to the fallen is what returns to you.Obadiah is a warning about proud people who feel safe. Edom trusted its high cliffs and its old grudge, laughed at a brother's ruin, and forgot that God's day comes for proud people too. How you treat someone who is down is how you will be treated.