Obadiah 1:2

"Behold, I have made you small among the nations. You are greatly despised."

Key Reflection

Obadiah 1:2 reveals a prophetic message directed at Edom, emphasizing their diminished status among neighboring nations and their widespread disgrace. For the ancient Israelites, this statement would have carried significant weight, as it invoked divine judgment on Edom for their treatment of Judah during the Babylonian invasion, where Edom had joined in the attack against Jerusalem (Obadiah 1:12). This verse underscores the powerful nature of God’s displeasure and His ability to bring about the downfall of even a seemingly strong and influential nation.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Behold, I have made thee small -God, having declared His future judgments upon Edom, assigns the first ground of those judgments. Pride was the root of Edom’s sin, then envy; then followed exultation at his brother’s fall, hard-heartedness and bloodshed. All this was against the disposition of God’s Providence for him. God had made him small, in numbers, in honor, in territory. Edom was a wild mountain people. It was strongly guarded in the rock-girt dwelling, which God had assigned it.

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