The punishment for Edom (Ob 1:2-1:4)

“I will surely make you

Least among the nations.

You shall be

Utterly despised.

Your proud heart

Has deceived you.

You live

In the clefts

Of the rock.

This dwelling is

In the heights.

You say in your heart.

‘Who will bring me down

To the ground?’

Though you soar aloft

Like the eagle,

Though your nest

Is set among the stars,

From there,

I will bring you down.’

Says Yahweh.”

Yahweh’s oracle in Obadiah was addressed to Edom itself.  Yahweh was going to make them the least of the nations of the world.  They would be utterly despised.  Their proud hearts had deceived them.  They lived high in the rocks.  They thought that no one could bring them down to earth.  They could soar like an eagle, since their nests were in the high stars.  However, Yahweh was clear.  He was going to bring them down.