Day 31 – Wednesday -- The Book of Obadiah

Day 31 – Wednesday

The Book of Obadiah

Obadiah is a 291 word essay full of bitterness and anger. Vengeance is on Obadiah’s mind. (We don’t know who Obadiah was, but he was writing after the fall of Jerusalem—586—and before the fall of Edom in 553.)

It’s all about Edom—a small nation southeast of Jerusalem. Remember the twins, Jacob and Esau? The Edomites are descendants of Esau.

What is Obadiah so mad about? When the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in 586, some Jews escaped and headed south—to Edom (about a four day trip). But instead of being hospitable like a good brother should, the people of Edom captured some of the Jews and sent them back, and killed others. And they looted the destroyed cities around Jerusalem.

Refugees of war should be shown hospitality, shouldn’t they?

Some would say this is the most unchristian book in the Bible since it is all about revenge. All Obadiah wants is for God to pay back the Edomites for their cruel behavior towards the war refugees. Is vengeance ever a good thing, or a proper thing? Jesus tells us to love our enemies and bless those who persecute us. But was he speaking of national concerns or just personal relationships?  (Neither the Protestant Revised Common Lectionary nor the Sunday lectionary of the Catholic Church include a reading from Obadiah during the three year cycle.)

Verse 15: As you have done, it shall be done to you. Sort of flips the Golden Rule upside down, doesn’t it?

Verse 21: and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s. This is what we all want, isn’t it? “Thy kingdom come.”

Well, sweet retribution finally came. In 553 BCE King Nabonidus of Babylon sent his army to crush Edom. The Edomites who flee and resettle are later called Idumeans. A Jewish ruler named John Hyrcanus defeats the Idumeans in 120 BCE and forces them to convert to Judaism. Fifty years later, out of a converted family of Idumeans is born Herod the Great, who becomes ruler over Jerusalem, working under the authority of the Roman Empire. During his reign a baby is born, named Jesus.


What do you think? Is vengeance ever the proper course of action?
Doesn’t fairness require that one who does you wrong should have wrong done unto them also?