“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head” (Obadiah 1:15 ESV).
Obadiah, a prophet whose name meant “servant of the LORD,” wrote to announce God’s judgment against Edom and to instruct and comfort Judah. He ministered in the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall around 586 BC, when Edom—Israel’s brother nation descended from Esau—had rejoiced over Judah’s destruction and even participated in her ruin. Obadiah declared that the LORD had seen Edom’s pride, violence, and betrayal and would repay them in full.
At the heart of this short prophecy stood a massive biblical theme: the “Yom YHWH” (“the day of the LORD”). Obadiah proclaimed that this day was “near,” not only for Edom but “upon all the nations.” What happened to Edom was presented as a pattern of God’s righteous rule over history. The prophet taught that the LORD personally intervened in human affairs to judge evil, humble pride, and vindicate His purposes. This theme echoed throughout the Prophets—Joel, Amos, Isaiah, Zephaniah—binding their messages together with a unified hope and warning.
Obadiah also lifted the reader’s eyes beyond immediate judgment to a greater horizon. The Day of the LORD pointed forward to the ultimate day when God’s kingdom would be fully established and “the kingdom shall be the LORD’s” (v. 21). From a whole-Bible perspective, readers can recognize that this hope finds its fulfillment in Christ, who bore judgment for sinners at the cross and will return to judge the nations in righteousness and establish His eternal reign.
The nearness of the Day of the LORD reminds us that history is quickly moving toward God’s appointed end, not drifting aimlessly. Because Christ has already borne judgment for us at the cross, we live with confident hope rather than fear. Yet this same truth presses urgency upon our hearts. The Day that brings salvation to those in Christ will bring sudden judgment to those who remain in unbelief. Therefore, we must live with sober faithfulness, humble obedience, and gospel intentionality. We are called to resist pride, trust in the Lord’s righteous rule, and faithfully proclaim the good news while the door of mercy remains open. As we fix our eyes on Christ’s return, we are compelled to live in light of this unchanging reality: the Day of the LORD is near!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that You are the sovereign Lord of history and that the Day of the LORD is certain, just, and good. We praise You for sending Your Son to bear our judgment and secure our hope. Shape our hearts to live with watchful faith and urgent love for those who do not yet know Christ. Give us boldness to share the gospel and faithfulness to walk in obedience as we await His soon return. In Jesus’ name, amen.