28th March 2026

Obadiah's Message

"But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion,

and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. 

Psalm 86:15

Today's Bible Reading:  Obadiah 1:12-15.

The book of Obadiah, is the shortest book in the Old Testament with only twenty-one verses. The name Obadiah means ‘the servant of Yahweh’. Obadiah lived in the days of the Babylonians Empire, and was a descendant of King David through Zerubbabel (1 Chronicles 3:21). Recently, I was surprised to read that the book of Obadiah, is (allegedly) the most unpopular book in all the Bible. The three key themes of Obadiah are: God will restore His people; God always keeps His promises; & God cannot allow sin to go unpunished.

In Obadiah 1:12, the prophet addresses the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, who were neighbouring relatives of the Israelites. The Edomites took pleasure in the misfortune and destruction that befell the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Obadiah's message to them is a rebuke for their ungodly attitude and actions during Israel's time of distress.

The verse teaches us important lessons about how we should respond to the difficulties and sufferings of others, especially those whom we are connected to:

The Edomites lacked compassion and empathy for their fellow Israelites. Instead of showing concern and support, they gazed upon them in their captivity and rejoiced in their destruction. As believers, we are called to have a heart of compassion and kindness towards others, especially in times of distress. We should strive to be a source of comfort and encouragement.

Let Obadiah's message challenge us to examine our hearts and attitudes. May we strive to be compassionate, humble, and supportive towards those facing distress, realizing that our words and actions have the power to impact others profoundly. By doing so, we reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate His love to the world around us.

Prayer: God of great mercy, grant me a heart of compassion. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.