While God is normally concerned with Israel, He is also concerned about the nations. Often during the prophecy to Israel or Judah, the prophets also speak to the nations. Obadiah is a little different. In the shortest book of the Old Testament, Obadiah does not prophesy to the nations as a whole, but rather to one specific, non-Israelite nation: Edom. The nation of Edom is the descendants of Esau, brother to Jacob (Israel). They had a relationship of rivalry that extended to their descendants. When God brought judgment on Judah, the Edomites rejoiced over their destruction. They stood and watched their destruction and handed the survivors over to their enemies. They encroached on the land of Judah, a land not given to them by Yahweh. They thought they were safe in their strongholds in the mountains, but Obadiah proclaims to them that when Israel is restored, they will be defeated. Most of Edom’s former territory is now divided between Israel and Jordan.

I would say the majority of people live in ignorance of Yahweh, much like the Edomites. They do not worship Yahweh; many do not even believe that He exists. That does not mean that God does not have a word for them. Yahweh is Creator of all things, including those people. When Christ returns, He is going to judge every person. Those who have not believed and trusted in the person of Jesus Christ, His work on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead will be guilty of their own sin. They need to hear the message of destruction that is coming for them. The responsibility to tell them, in love, of the coming Day of the Lord, belongs to those of us who are Christians. I need to be a messenger to the nations, as Obadiah was, to tell them about the coming judgment. Will you join me?