Random Verse from Obadiah
21 verses across 1 chapter.
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Obadiah 1:3KJV
Drawing from 21 verses
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, just one chapter of 21 verses, and it packs a sharp message into that small space.
The book is attributed to a prophet named Obadiah, about whom we know almost nothing beyond his name, which means servant of the Lord.
His message targets Edom, the nation descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob. When Jerusalem was attacked, Edom stood by, gloated, and even helped the invaders, betraying a brother nation in its worst moment.
Obadiah announces that Edom's pride will be its downfall. The nation felt untouchable in its high mountain strongholds, but no height puts anyone beyond God's reach.
The book ends with hope for God's people: deliverance on Mount Zion and a future where the kingdom belongs to the Lord.
Obadiah's themes are surprisingly current. It speaks to betrayal by people close to you, the quiet arrogance of feeling secure, and the deep human need to know that wrongs will not stand forever.
A random verse from Obadiah gives you a taste of a book most readers skip right past. It is a reminder that God notices how we treat people when they are down, and that he is the final judge of history.
Use the picker above to draw one of Obadiah's 21 verses. It may be the shortest prophetic book in the Bible, but it does not whisper.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is Obadiah so short?
- It carries a single focused message: judgment on Edom for betraying Judah, and hope for God's people. One chapter was enough. Its 21 verses make it the shortest book in the Old Testament.
- What can I learn from a book about Edom?
- Obadiah warns against pride and against standing by while others suffer. It also comforts anyone who has been wronged, because it insists that God sees injustice and will set things right.