The Battle Within: The Battle Begins

The first 3 or 4 posts on Obadiah will really not touch much on the book, but give a background on Edom and their relationship with the Israelites.  I felt it important to share this background information and the family dynamics it created because it plays a role in how we look at the book of Obadiah and how it applies to us today. So stick with this, we will get to the good stuff quick enough, “So, Let’s begin!” 

The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom (We have heard a report from the LORD, And a messenger has been sent among the nations saying, “Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”) Obadiah verse 1.

All stories or texts of the Bible deserve, or rather need to be viewed considering the context in which they were written.  Obadiah is no exception.  On the surface, the book of Obadiah is a prophecy against the nation of Edom.  The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, who were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah.  Esau was the first-born and thus being the oldest male child was entitled to the birthright.  In our modern-day system of wills and trusts, Esau, being the oldest would be heir of the fortune, or debt of his parents upon the death of Isaac. Often, the father in his old age would transfer the birthright to his oldest son before his death.  This meant that he not only would be in control of the family fortune, but he was also expected to be the spiritual leader of the family.

There is one catch even during her pregnancy her twin sons fought in the womb (see Genesis 2:22).  She prayed unto God that God would tell her why this battle seemed to be raging within her in.

God heard her prayer and answered by telling Rebekah “Two nations are in your womb; two Peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other and the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:24). Indeed, when she gave birth, twins were born.  The first came out red and was hairy like a garment, so they called his name Esau.  Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel so his name was called Jacob.

Genesis 25:27-28 tells of an interesting childhood and of a house divided: “So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

In our next post, we will look a little deeper at this family and how this all plays a role in what happens within Obadiah.

NOTE:  Over the next few weeks, posts on Obadiah will be posted on Mondays and Thursday with a 13 week series on I and II Peter posted on Saturdays.  On off days Tuesdays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sunday, I may occasionally post something, but it will not be on Obadiah or Peter unless to answer a question or a comment that has been raised.  I hope you will all enjoy.

All Bible texts in this series on Obadiah, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James © 2010 by Andrews University Press; Berrien Springs, Michigan