Pride Brought Low (1:1-4): Edom enjoyed natural fortifications. Its highlands rose southeast of the Dead Sea in three great steps of sandstone cliffs to a height of more than 5,000 feet. A maze of mountains, cliffs, chasms, rocky defiles, and stony plateaus, with arable land mostly on the east and in its wider defiles, Edom was easily defended. In Obadiah’s time, it was densely populated, with abundant water in its gorges and ample food for all. It thought itself secure and independent, superior to its conquered brother-nation Judah.

1–4 But cliffs and mountains are no barrier to the God who has made them. Significantly, God is named ʾ a dōnāy Yahweh in verse 1, “Lord Yahweh,” and is Lord over Edom. Obadiah therefore reports what he has heard in his vision: A messenger has been sent to unna…