Book of Obadiah - Analysed and Explained in Summary - Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of "The Analysed Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
To the best of our knowledge we are of the understanding that this book, taken from Volumes 1, 2, & 3 of the "Analysed Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan published in 1907, and freely available elsewhere on the internet is in the public domain.
OBADIAH - THE CURSE OF COWARDICE
PART A: THE JUDGMENT OF EDOM - Obadiah 1:1-1:16
- Explanatory Introduction - 1:1
A1. The Doom Declared - Obad. 1:2-1:9
A2. The Reason Assigned - Obad. 1:10-1:16
PART B: THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL - Obadiah 1:17-1:21
B1. The Delivered Remnant - Obad. 1:17
B2. The Victorious People - Obad. 1:18
B3. The Conquering People - Obad. 1:19
B4. The Returning Captives - Obad. 1:20
B5. The Final Issue - Obad. 1:21
Introduction
There is no personal history of Obadiah, and it is impossible accurately to fix the date of his prophecy. The only ground on which it may be done is that of the capture of Jerusalem, to which reference is so clearly made. Certain passages in Jeremiah, apparently quoted from this book, make it probable that the capture referred to is that by Nebuchadnezzar. The corrected tense in verses 12-14 in the Revised Version, "Look not," instead of "Thou shouldest not have looked," would seem to indicate that the prophecy was uttered before the fall of Jerusalem, and not after it. The nation at this time was a hive of political disturbance. The people were divided into factions and parties. Fierce passions characterized these parties, and evil counsels prevailed. The whole nation was rushing headlong toward a great catastrophe. Obadiah had a vision of the attitude of Edom toward the chosen people in their calamity, and his message was delivered concerning them. It was not spoken to Edom, but to Israel, and was intended as a word of comfort for those who, loyal to Jehovah, were yet suffering with the whole nation. Its message falls into two parts: The Judgment of Edom (verses 2-16); the Restoration of Israel (verses 17-21).
A. The Judgment of Edom - Obadiah 1:1-1:16
The prophecy opens with a peculiarly dignified and authoritative introduction, which sets forth the method of communication, the value of the message, its subject, and a confirmatory coincidence.
The doom of Edom was announced in an address of Jehovah which asserted His act, declared the proud attitude of Edom, and announced the superior power of God. This was followed by the commentary of the prophet, consisting of his exclamations of astonishment, and his address to Edom, which declared that the events and men in which Edom had trusted were working Jehovah's will. This commentary was followed by a second address of Jehovah, foretelling the destruction of the wise men and the dismay of the mighty.
The reason for the doom was then stated. First broadly, Edom had done violence to his brother Jacob. In the day of Jacob's struggle Edom stood aloof, and subsequently joined the enemies. Then, in the form of a warning, the prophet indicated the attitude of Edom: in the day of disaster, "Look not"; in the day of destruction, "Rejoice not"; in the day of distress, "Speak not proudly"; in the day of calamity, "Enter not into the gate, ... look not on affliction, ... lay not hands on substance"; in the day of distress "Cut not off ... deliver not up."
While these words were spoken as a warning, they declared exactly what Edom would do, and the final word of judgment announced the doom impending.
B. Restoration of Israel - Obadiah 1:17-1:21
While the prophet saw the coming judgment, and uttered his curse upon the cowardice of the people who rejoiced in the calamity, he yet saw the day of restoration, and spoke of it for the comfort of the afflicted people. He first declared that there should be a delivered remnant in Mount Zion which should be holy. He then foretold the fact that the people would be victorious, a conquering people, possessing their own land. The final word of the prophecy is the final word of all prophecy, "The kingdom shall be Jehovah's."