On All the Nations

“For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations.  As you have done, it will be done to you.  Your dealings will return on your own head.”  Obadiah 1:15

 The Book of Obadiah was possibly the earliest of the prophetic books of the Old Testament and is certainly the shortest, with its single chapter. Its theme is God’s coming judgement on the Edomite nation, not only because of their general wickedness, but particularly because of their abusive treatment of their Israelite relatives (Jacob’s brother Esau was the father of the Edomites).

The prophecy of Obadiah contains the first mention (chronologically) of the coming “day of the Lord.” Although it appears at first to focus especially on the Edomites, it is really looking far ahead to the end times, when the judgements of that day will be “on all the nations.” There have been many percussive and partial fulfillments of this prophecy, as nation after nation has been brought down throughout history under God’s judgmental hand. Edom, in particular, has long since banished as a nation.

There is a great day coming, however (actually a period of time), called in the Bible “the day of the Lord” (also “that day,” “the great day of His wrath,” and other such terms), when all the nations (that is, the “Gentile nations,” including the US) will be judged by the God Who created them, Who died to redeem them, and Who has been repudiated by them. “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.” (Rev 19:15).

Our own heathen nation has been spared thus far because of our biblical foundations, our care for God’s people, Israel, and our missionary efforts, but these are fast disappearing, and our time, like that of Edom, will surely come.