Obadiah, A Man of Quiet Courage (Part one)

Obadiah might not be the most well-known figure in the Bible, but his story is deeply impactful, especially when we think about the kind of faith it took to live out God’s will in such dangerous times. His life was turned upside down when Jezebel, the wicked queen, began hunting down and killing the prophets of the Lord. Queen Jezebel had long been an enemy of God, and her reign alongside her husband, King Ahab, was one of the darkest periods for Israel.

Jezebel had a deep hatred for the true prophets of Israel. She didn’t just oppose them or disagree with their message. She wanted them dead. She saw their message as a threat to her power, and she was willing to do whatever it took to silence them. Ahab, her husband, though not as bold as Jezebel in his evil, didn’t stop her. Together, they led Israel into idol worship, encouraging the people to turn from the one true God to the false god Baal. And with each false prophet they raised up, the voices of God’s true prophets grew quieter, until Jezebel began actively hunting them down.

This is where Obadiah’s story takes a sharp turn. He was a steward in Ahab’s court, a man of trust and responsibility, but also a man of God. Obadiah feared the Lord deeply, even though he was working in the palace of one of the most wicked kings in Israel's history. While most people in Ahab’s court would have bowed to the pressure of Jezebel's influence, Obadiah quietly stood his ground. But when Jezebel began killing the prophets of God, Obadiah’s world changed. He could not stand by and watch this injustice unfold.

With incredible courage, Obadiah took action. He went to great lengths to protect the prophets, hiding one hundred of them in caves. He provided them with food and water, at the risk of his own life. To help them escape certain death, Obadiah put everything on the line, knowing that if Jezebel found out, it would mean his execution. But he didn’t hesitate, because he trusted God and knew that this was the right thing to do. Imagine the weight of this decision! Every time he brought food and water to those caves, he did so knowing the danger that awaited him if he was caught.

At this moment, Obadiah was not making grand speeches or standing in front of crowds—he was serving quietly, in the shadows. But in the eyes of God, his courage was unmatched. This wasn’t a moment for glory or public recognition. His bravery was seen only by God, but it was just as vital to God’s kingdom. Obadiah’s actions were a reflection of his deep faith and loyalty to God, a loyalty that would not be swayed by fear or danger.

But Obadiah’s journey didn’t end there. Once Jezebel’s threat had passed, Obadiah’s role would shift again. God wasn’t done using him. You see, while Obadiah had been hiding God’s prophets in caves, God had a bigger message for him to deliver. The descendants of Esau, the people of Edom, had long been enemies of Israel. They had stood by while Israel suffered, even rejoicing at their downfall. And when Israel was attacked by foreign enemies, Edom didn’t just sit back; they helped the invaders, mocking Israel’s misery.

But God wasn’t going to let Edom’s wickedness go unpunished. And it was Obadiah who was chosen to deliver the message of God’s judgment against them. Edom had been so proud of their high cities and mountain strongholds, believing they were untouchable. They thought that no one—especially not Israel—could ever bring them down. But God was going to show them just how wrong they were. Through Obadiah, God told Edom that their pride would be their downfall, just like their enemies would fall.

The message was simple but clear: “Though you soar like the eagle and set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” (Obadiah 1:4). This was God’s way of saying that no matter how high or safe they thought they were, nothing could protect them from God’s judgment. Edom’s pride would be their undoing, and they would be brought low. Obadiah was bold in delivering this message of judgment. He knew that this wasn’t just a warning; it was God’s will. But even with the gravity of the message, Obadiah trusted God, standing firm in faith.

Yet, Obadiah’s message wasn’t all about judgment. There was also hope, especially for Israel. The same God who was bringing down the proud Edomites was also lifting up Israel. In the midst of this destruction, God promised that Israel would be restored. “But on Mount Zion, there shall be deliverance, and it shall be holy,” (Obadiah 1:17). This was a promise that even though Israel was suffering now, there would come a day when they would rise again. Their enemies would fall, and God’s justice would reign.

In Obadiah’s story, we see two kinds of courage: one is quiet, hidden from the world, and the other is bold, standing up against the enemies of God. Obadiah didn’t choose the path of public recognition. Instead, he chose to serve quietly in the shadows, protecting God’s prophets and risking his life to do so. But when the time came to speak God’s judgment, he did so with great boldness and faithfulness, knowing that God was with him.

The beauty of Obadiah’s story is that it shows us that God uses us in different ways. Sometimes, we are called to speak loudly for God, to call out the wrongs in the world and proclaim His truth. Other times, we’re called to act in quiet, hidden ways, doing the work that no one else may notice but God. Both are essential in God’s plan. Whether we stand in the spotlight or work in the background, faithfulness is what counts. Obadiah’s life reminds us that our service to God is not about how visible we are, but how faithful we are to Him, no matter the task.

Obadiah’s courage, whether in protecting the prophets or delivering God’s message to Edom, challenges us to ask ourselves: How can we be faithful in the task God has called us to, even when it’s difficult, dangerous, or unseen by others? Whether we’re standing before kings or quietly serving behind the scenes, God sees all, and He uses each act of faithful service for His glory.

 

 

Image done by Leonardo.ai at my instruction

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