Obadiah

The purpose of Obadiah is to show that God will judge those who set themselves against His children, His chosen people.

Although the Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother, Edom joined in raids with Israel’s enemies against Israel and the other chosen tribes. Their downfall came not only because of violence, but also because of pride. “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you.”

Edom lived in the clefts of the rock and in the loftiness of its dwelling place. Their city was built high in the mountains south of the Dead Sea, and the way into it was through a narrow cleft in the rock. It was a lofty place, spoken of as though it had been built among the nests of eagles and among the stars.
In the painting, you can see the eagle above, the stars, the burning city, the bodies of the dead, and the final enemy soldier gloating over the defeat. Obadiah stands mourning the whole scene.
Edom believed no one could bring it down. But God brought it down because of its sin.

The message of Obadiah is not only a warning to Edom. It is also a reminder that God sees the wrong done to His people and will not ignore it forever.

Let sorrowful believers and insolent oppressors both understand this: the troubles of the righteous will not last forever, but the judgment of the wicked is far more fearful.