560 BC
The Prophet Obadiah, the author of the shortest book in the Old Testament (only 21 verses), prophesied against Edom, the nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. Edom had long been Israel's bitter enemy, and during the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, the Edomites had rejoiced at Judah's destruction, plundered the city, and even handed over fugitives who had fled to them. Obadiah's prophecy declares God's judgment against Edom for their violence against their 'brother Jacob': 'Because of the violence against your brother Esau your shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them' (Obadiah 1:10, 11, 14).
Obadiah's prophecy is a reminder that God holds nations accountable for their actions, and that hostility against God's people will not go unpunished. Yet the prophecy also contains a promise of restoration for Israel: 'The kingdom shall be the Lord's, and he will restore the possession of Jacob' (Obadiah 1:21). The Catholic Church sees in Obadiah's prophecy a warning against schism and division within the Body of Christ. Just as Edom, the brother of Israel, became its enemy, so divisions within the Church represent a betrayal of the bond of love that should unite all believers.
Despite its brevity, Obadiah's prophecy is rich in theological significance, demonstrating that God's justice extends to all nations and that no act of hostility against His people goes unnoticed. Key Scripture: Obadiah 1; Psalm 137:7; Lamentations 4:21-22