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{{dod-september}} The Book of [[Obadiah]] is the shortest book in the [[Bible]] (21 verses), written by [[Obadiah]] , whose name means "the servant of the [[Lord]]." It was written about 586 b.c., and contains Edom's condemnation, because of her treachery toward Judah; the prophecy of her utter destruction; and the salvation of Judah in the Day of the [[Lord]]. The book was written in [[Jerusalem]], at the time when [[Jerusalem]] was being destroyed by the [[Babylon]]ian armies. The book deals with Esau, [[Jacob]], Edom, and [[Israel]].
The [[prophet]] presents a twofold message. Verses 1-16 consider [[God]]'s vengeance on Edom. In verses 10-14 [[Obadiah]] names some of the sins of Edom, and in verse 15 we note that [[God]] would treat the Edomites just the way they had treated the [[Jews]]. Violence would fall upon them and their own confederates would betray them (verses 10,11).
In chapter 3 we have a lesson in [[God]]'s power. As [[Jonah]] went to Nineveh to preach, [[God]] gave him the message he was to proclaim to the people. Chapter 4:11 says there were more than 120,000 persons who could not discern between their right hand and their left hand. Nineveh was the center of the rising empire of [[Assyria]]. The faithfulness of [[Jonah]] to preach the message [[God]] had given him brought a great change in the city. From the king to the lowest citizens, there were expressions of fear and repentance, and [[God]] forgave their sins. This was undoubtedly one of the greatest revivals in history, and it shows what the [[Lord]] can do with a frail human instrument who will preach His message.
Chapter 4 again shows the rebellion of [[Jonah]] . Instead of being happy and rejoicing at what had taken place, [[Jonah]] was angry at the people and at [[God]]. This proves that it is possible to serve the [[Lord]], and yet not [[love]] people. [[Jonah]] is so unlike [[Jesus]] in this chapter, for [[Jesus]] looked upon the city of lost souls and wept.