Obadiah the Prophet

Obadiah the Prophet is known for writing the shortest book in the Old Testament. His book is only one chapter long. Even though it is short, it carries a strong message. He spoke on behalf of God during a very hard time.

We do not know much about his life. The Bible does not say where he was born or what his family was like. It does not tell us his job or how he became a prophet. But we know that God gave him a message, and he was faithful in sharing it.

Obadiah likely lived during a time when the people of Judah were suffering. Their city had been attacked. The Temple had been ruined. Many people had been taken away from their homes. It was a time of great sadness.

In this time of trouble, God gave Obadiah a message. He told him to speak about justice. He told him to speak about what had been done wrong. Obadiah listened and obeyed.

Some people confuse him with another man named Obadiah who served in King Ahab’s court. That Obadiah lived many years earlier. The prophet Obadiah came later. He lived during or after the fall of Jerusalem.

Even though Obadiah’s book is short, his message is clear. He reminds us that God sees what is happening and will not forget those who do wrong. He also shows us that God cares for those who are hurting.

Obadiah lived in a time of great pain. The people of Judah had lost their homes. Their holy city had been destroyed. The Temple, where they worshipped God, was in ruins. Many people had been taken far away as captives.

This was a time when many people lost hope. Some may have wondered if God had forgotten them. Some may have thought that the enemies had won. But Obadiah knew that God was still watching.

God gave Obadiah a message to speak. It was not easy to be a prophet. Prophets often had to speak words that people did not want to hear. But Obadiah was faithful. He spoke the words God gave him.

His message was mostly about Edom. Edom was a nearby nation. Instead of helping Judah, Edom had watched their fall and even joined in the harm. This hurt the people deeply. Edom had been like a brother to Israel. But in their time of need, Edom did not help.

Obadiah told the people that God saw what had happened. God would not forget the pain caused by others. God would bring justice. This gave the people hope. It reminded them that God still cared.

Being a prophet during hard times took courage. Obadiah did not look for praise. He only wanted to be faithful. He spoke truth, even when it was hard.

Obadiah’s message was mainly against the nation of Edom. Edom and Israel had a long history. They were like family. The people of Edom came from Esau. The people of Israel came from Jacob. Esau and Jacob were brothers.

Even though they were related, the nations often fought. When Jerusalem fell, Edom did not help. Instead, they stood by and watched. Some even took part in the harm. They laughed while Judah suffered. They even took some of the land for themselves.

This made the pain worse. Judah had been hurt by enemies from far away. But Edom was nearby. They could have helped. Instead, they turned against their brothers.

God gave Obadiah a message for Edom. He said their pride would bring them down. They had trusted in their strong places and their wisdom. But that would not save them. God would bring them low.

Obadiah said that what Edom had done to others would come back to them. They would not escape judgment. God had seen everything. Justice would come.

This was not a message of hate. It was a message of truth. God wanted the people to know that wrong actions matter. God is patient, but He is also just.

Obadiah’s message was hard, but it was needed. He stood up for what was right, even when others stayed silent.

Obadiah means “servant of the Lord.” That is a fitting name. He served God by speaking the message he was given. He did not serve for reward or fame. He simply obeyed.

We do not know much else about his life. He is one of the few prophets whose story is not told in detail. There is no mention of his family, his town, or how he died. All we have is his short message.

But sometimes, a short message says a lot. His name tells us that he was faithful. He stood before God, listened to Him, and spoke the truth.

His life may have been quiet, but his message still speaks. God used him in a hard time. God gave him words that people still read today.

He reminds us that even if no one knows our story, we can still serve God. We do not have to be famous to be faithful. We just need to obey.

Obadiah’s name is his legacy. He served the Lord in a dark time. That service still matters.

Obadiah is remembered in both Jewish and Christian tradition. His book is small, but it is part of the Bible. That means his voice still speaks.

The Church honors him as a prophet who obeyed God. His message was hard, but it gave hope. He reminded people that God sees everything. He reminded them that justice will come.

Obadiah’s feast day is November 19. On that day, the Church remembers his life and message. He is listed in the Roman Martyrology. This means he is honored as one of the faithful people of God.

He is sometimes seen as a symbol of quiet courage. He did not do big miracles. He did not lead an army. But he obeyed. He spoke when it was hard to speak.

His life shows that God uses people in all kinds of ways. Some preach to crowds. Some write long books. Obadiah wrote just one chapter. But it still matters.

Obadiah reminds us that serving God is always worth it. Even when the world is dark, even when people turn away, we can still stand firm. Just like Obadiah did.

He holds the record for shortest prophetic book in the Bible. Just 21 verses. You can read it during a snack break.

His name means “servant of the Lord,” which is perfect for a prophet who gets straight to the point.

We don’t know much about his background. No family tree. No home address. Just prophecy.

His message was aimed at the people of Edom, a neighboring nation who weren’t acting very neighborly.

Edom was related to Israel through Esau, Jacob’s brother. So yes, this is a really long sibling fight.

Obadiah said Edom was full of pride. Their cities were in the mountains, and they thought no one could touch them.

He basically said, “God sees your pride—and He’s not impressed.”

He scolded Edom for standing by while Jerusalem was attacked. Instead of helping, they watched. Worse, they looted the city afterward.

Obadiah said that kind of behavior would come back on them. “As you have done, it shall be done to you.”

He promised that God would restore Mount Zion, and that justice would come, even if it seemed slow.

His book is full of mountain language—Mount Esau, Mount Zion, pride falling, and God standing firm.

Some think he lived around 586 BC, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians.

Others think he lived earlier. Scholars don’t agree, and Obadiah never dated his work.

Because of that, he’s like the mystery prophet—short, sharp, and hidden in the shadows.

He’s one of the “minor prophets,” which just means his book is short—not that his message is small.

There’s another Obadiah in the Bible who hid 100 prophets in a cave during Elijah’s time. Some people think it’s the same guy, but it probably isn’t.

He’s the patron saint of short messengers, underdogs, and people who say hard truths in a short amount of time.

His symbol is a scroll, a mountain, or a straight arrow—because he doesn’t miss the target.

He reminds us that big things can come in small packages—and that God doesn’t forget justice, even when people do.