Obadiah, one of the twelve Minor Prophets, has the sketchiest history of all the biblical prophets. It is believed that he prophesied between 588-583 B.C. and his predictions were directed against the Edomites (descendants of Esau) for helping to pillage Jerusalem with the heathen foe.
His name means, "servant of God" or "worshiper of Yah". The Book of Obadiah, which is attributed to this ancient prophet, contains only one chapter (which describes Obadiah's prophetic vision) and is the shortest book of all the biblical prophets.
Jewish Tradition
The Talmud relates that Obadiah was a convert to Judaism from Edom (Esau) and a descendant of Eliphaz (the friend of Job). Jewish scholars identify this ancient prophet with being the servant of King Ahab. The Talmud also says that Obadiah was chosen to prophesy against Edom because he himself was an Edomite. Being in the company of godless people such as Ahab and Jezebel, he seemed the most suitable person to prophesy against the descendants of Esau.
According to some theologians, it is believed he received the gift of prophecy for having hidden "100 prophets" in two different caves, so that if those in one cave should be discovered those in the other cave might escape the persecution of Jezebel (1 Kings 18:3-4).
While Obadiah was considered a very rich man, his wealth was expended in feeding the poor prophets. Eventually he had to borrow money at interest from Ahab's son, Jehoram of Israel, in order to continue his support of the prophets he had hid. It was said that Obadiah's fear of God was one degree higher than that of Abraham; and if the house of Ahab had been capable of being blessed, it would have been blessed for Obadiah's sake.
Christian Tradition
According to some Christian beliefs, it is said that Obadiah was born in Sychem. (Shechem). He later became a court official in charge of the household of the King; a steward and manager of the palace and all its affairs. He was the third centurion sent out by Ahaziah of Israel against Elijah. Ahaziah, king of Israel and the son of Ahab and Jezebel, ordered Obadiah to find Elijah after prophesying that the king would not leave his sick bed.
Obadiah was an anxious prophet and part of Obadiah’s anxiety and uncertainty was caused by the fact he was not sure of God’s will or of what was going on. He needed the motivation of Elijah’s leadership through the example and encouragement of the prophet.
While King Ahaziah sent Obadiah out to capture Elijah, God would use Elijah in the life of Obadiah to strengthen his faith and broaden his capacity for ministry. Christian scholars date his ministry to be around 588-583 B.C., while other Christian theologians pinpoint the date to 586 B.C.
Obadiah's Vision
As God's messenger, Obadiah predicted great doom for the Edomites. He warned that they would be cut as under:
"Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him. There will be no survivors from Esau. The Lord has spoken." ~ Obadiah 1:18
He also enlightened of a time when the Jews would again rule over all the lands formerly under King David's control:
"But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance." ~ Obadiah 1:17
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Obadiah is regarded as a saint by several Catholic, Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christian churches and has feast days to celebrate this ancient prophet's memory. In Judaism, Obadiah is considered a “later prophet” and, in the Masoretic Text, Obadiah's writings is chronologically placed in the Tanakh under the section Nevi'im in the last category called The Twelve Prophets.
According to an old tradition, Obadiah is buried in Sebastia, at the same site as Elisha and where later the body of John the Baptist was believed to have been buried by his followers.
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