Obadiah's Actions: Lawful Or Not?

The topic of whether Obadiah broke the law is an intriguing one, with the biblical figure's actions sparking much debate among scholars. Obadiah, a prophet and author of the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible, lived during a tumultuous time following the fall of Jerusalem. With 13 individuals named Obadiah in the Bible, the specific focus is on the prophet who wrote about the judgment of Edom and the restoration of Israel. Obadiah's prophecy, written around 590 BCE, condemned the Edomites for their role in the destruction of Jerusalem and foretold their downfall. However, the question of whether he broke the law arises due to his actions during this turbulent period.

Did Obadiah, the biblical prophet, break the law?

The biblical prophet Obadiah, who lived in the 6th century BC, is known for writing the shortest book of the Old Testament, with only 21 verses. Obadiah's prophecies focus on God's judgment against the Edomites, a hostile neighbour of Israel, for their part in the destruction of Jerusalem.

Obadiah is also known for his role as an officer in King Ahab's court, where he hid a hundred prophets of Yahweh in a cave and brought them food and water, saving them from persecution by Ahab's wife, Queen Jezebel.

While Obadiah's actions in hiding and protecting the prophets from harm could be seen as breaking the law of the land at the time, there is no indication that he faced any legal consequences for his actions. In fact, Obadiah is revered as a saint by several Eastern churches and is celebrated for his devotion to God and his bravery in standing up against Queen Jezebel.

Overall, while Obadiah may have technically broken the law by defying Queen Jezebel, his actions were motivated by his faith and commitment to doing what he believed was right. He is remembered as a courageous and pious figure in the Bible, and his actions ultimately had a positive impact on the prophets he saved.

What does the Book of Obadiah say about the law?

The Book of Obadiah is a book of the Bible attributed to the prophet Obadiah, one of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the final section of Nevi'im, the second main division of the Hebrew Bible. The text consists of a single chapter with 21 verses, making it the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible. The Book of Obadiah is a prophecy concerning the divine judgment of Edom, a mountain-dwelling nation, and the restoration of Israel.

In the Book of Obadiah, Obadiah describes an encounter with Yahweh, who addresses Edom's arrogance and charges them for their "violence against your brother Jacob". Edom is accused of failing to assist Israel and instead gloating over Jerusalem's destruction:

> "On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them... You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor gloat over them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster."

Obadiah's message is one of judgment against Edom for their lack of support for Israel, declaring that God will not forget His people, even in captivity. Obadiah predicts that Yahweh will wipe out the house of Esau, the founding father of Edom, and that the Edomites' land will be possessed by other nations.

The Book of Obadiah also references "the Day of the Lord", a phrase used throughout the Old and New Testaments to signify the coming of divine judgment. Obadiah declares that the Day of the Lord is near for all nations and that Israel will return victorious from exile to possess the lands of their enemies.

The date of the composition of the Book of Obadiah is disputed due to the lack of personal information about the prophet Obadiah. However, it is generally believed to have been written shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC, shaped by the conflicts between Yehud and the Edomites in the fifth and fourth centuries BCE.

Did Obadiah's actions go against the law?

The biblical prophet Obadiah is known for his actions in protecting the prophets of Yahweh from the evil King Ahab and his wife, Queen Jezebel. Obadiah hid the prophets in two caves, bringing them food and water. He also served as an emissary between Ahab and the prophet Elijah.

Obadiah's actions in protecting the prophets can be seen as going against the law, as he was acting in direct opposition to the king and queen's orders. However, it is important to note that Obadiah's motivations were religious and moral, as he himself was a devoted servant of God.

The Book of Obadiah, attributed to the prophet, is a prophecy concerning the divine judgment of Edom and the restoration of Israel. Obadiah lived during a harsh and bitter era after the capture and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. He prophesied that God would not forget His people, even in their captivity, and that God's purpose would be accomplished despite the appalling conditions they endured.

Obadiah's prophecies included a warning to the Edomite kingdom that their betrayal of Jerusalem during Nebuchadnezzar's siege would lead to their destruction. He announced judgment against Edom and their pride, declaring that God would bring them down from their high dwelling places.

In conclusion, while Obadiah's actions in protecting the prophets may have technically broken the law by defying the king and queen, his religious and moral motivations likely influenced his decision to act in accordance with his beliefs rather than the laws of the land.

Did Obadiah's prophecies break the law?

The Book of Obadiah is a book of the Bible whose authorship is attributed to Obadiah, a minor prophet. The book is a prophecy concerning the divine judgment of Edom and the restoration of Israel. Obadiah lived in the 6th century BC and authored the shortest text included as a book of the Old Testament. The text consists of a single chapter, divided into 21 verses with 440 Hebrew words.

The Book of Obadiah is based on a prophetic vision concerning the fall of Edom, a mountain-dwelling nation founded by Esau. Obadiah describes an encounter with Yahweh, who addresses Edom's arrogance and charges them for their "violence against your brother Jacob". Obadiah said that the high elevation of their dwelling place in the mountains of Seir had gone to their head, and they had become proud. He prophesied that Yahweh would bring them down and that the children of Israel would return victorious from their exile and possess the land of Edom.

Obadiah's prophecies focused on God's judgment against the Edomites, a hostile neighbor of Israel, for their part in destroying Jerusalem. Obadiah's message was that God would not forget His people, even in their captivity. Some of Obadiah's words are similar to verses in Jeremiah 49, leading scholars to believe that Jeremiah may have quoted or paraphrased Obadiah's prophecy.

While the Book of Obadiah may have been influenced by the conflicts between Yehud and the Edomites, there is no indication that Obadiah's prophecies broke any laws. On the contrary, his prophecies were in line with the religious and spiritual beliefs of the time and were considered divine revelations.

Did Obadiah's role as a governor break the law?

The name Obadiah was common in ancient Israel and Judah, with 13 men named Obadiah mentioned in the Bible. One of these was a governor and prophet who wrote the Book of Obadiah, which is the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible.

The Book of Obadiah is a prophecy concerning the divine judgment of Edom and the restoration of Israel. Obadiah is supposed to have received the gift of prophecy for having hidden the "hundred prophets" from the persecution of Jezebel, the wicked wife of King Ahab. Obadiah hid the prophets in two caves, bringing them food and water.

Although Obadiah served as the overseer of the household of the evil King Ahab, he remained a devoted servant of God. He also served as an emissary between Ahab and the prophet Elijah.

Obadiah is said to have lived in the 6th century BC, during a harsh and bitter era after the capture and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. He was most likely a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

While it is clear that Obadiah served as a governor, there is no information to suggest that this role broke the law. On the contrary, he is described as a devoted servant of God who protected prophets from persecution and served as an emissary.

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