Obadiah

And He was a convert of Edom (a.k.a. Esau), and he prophesied about Edom.

Edom is traditionally considered to be the ancient Romans, and also the Western world (which emerged from the Roman civilization).

The last verse of the prophecy has a happy ending. Esau will be judged, and the rulership will be the Almighty’s.

Preceding verses seem to describe current events very accurately.

Verse 1: The nations proclaim a war against Edom.

A trade war between the US (the main power of the West) and the world has started.

2: The nations despise Edom.

Many people are very upset with the US.

3: Edom considered itself way up there, exclaiming: “ Who will bring me down to earth.”

The US considered itself a superior superpower.

4: G-d proclaims that even if Edom is high like an eagle, and its nest is among the stars, He will bring them down.

The symbol of the US is an eagle.

The space station is high up among the stars.

5: Robbers stealthily stole from you (Edom); how were you silent. They plundered everything.

Trade imbalances, outsourcing factories, foreign aid etc. has put the US 36 trillion dollars in debt.

6: How were Esau’s secrets searched out and revealed?

China coerced US companies (who wanted to manufacture in China) to reveal trade and technological secrets.

7: Your (Esau’s) allies enticed you at the border, your food wounded you, there was no discernment.

Trade imbalances meant that Americans bought food etc. from other countries (since it was cheaper). So US manufacturers and workers suffered.

8: G-d will eliminate wise men from Edom, and rationale from Esau.

The US didn’t seem to have any wise people, to counsel against the self-harm.

9: Your (Esau’s) warriors were frightened of the south, which caused a slaughtering of people from the mountain of Esau.

American guards on the southern border with Mexico, did not stop fentanyl from coming into the US. This resulted in many deaths.

10: The cause (of Esau’s downfall) was the plundering of your brother Jacob.

The violence which Esau inflicted on Jacob throughout the centuries, was the cause for Esau’s downfall.

(The Hebrew word for plundering — ‘Hamas,’ might also be referring to Hamas’ attack on October 7. The US (under Biden, gave weaponry, but nevertheless) greatly restricted Israel’s counter attack.

11: You (Esau) stood from afar when strangers captured his (Jacob’s) possessions, came into his gates, and plotted against Jerusalem; you (Esau) were just like them.

Although the US sent weapons, they didn’t send troops to help Israel.

12: Don’t look, on the day that your brother (Jacob) was delivered to a foreign enemy, and don’t rejoice when children of Judah were lost, and don’t talk a lot on the day of their sorrow.

The US administration (under Biden) lectured Israel, and reportedly were happily considering that October 7 could lead to a two-state solution.

13: Don’t come into the gate of My nation on the day of their loss, don’t look at their affliction on the day of their misfortune, and don’t stretch out (your hand) on their possessions on the day of their misfortune.

Biden visited Israel, but he lectured them, warned them not to stop the aid, not to attack certain places etc., and he delayed or stopped some weaponry.

14: Don’t stand by to cut off their fugitives, and don’t imprison their survivors on their day of sorrow.

By hampering Israel’s military efforts, and insisting that Israel give aid etc, Biden limited Israel’s offensive, bolstered the enemy, and cut off Israel from rescuing hostages.

15: For the day of G-d over all the nations is close, as you have done shall be done to you.

The nations condemned Israel, demanded a ceasefire. Now it looks like there will be a ceasefire in Ukraine (despite Russia still being a threat), and the US might not defend Europe.

And there is a US trade war, as the US befriends Russia. European nations wanted weapons to Israel stopped, now weapons to Ukraine (and possibly to Europe) are being stopped by the US.

So Europe and others are now receiving what they wanted to impose on Israel.

By Divine providence, the US, under Trump, is being very supportive of Israel. The future looks bright.

Indeed verse 18 alludes metaphorically to a refinement of Esau, where fire (of holiness) removes impurities. This also fits in with explanations in Chassidus, that in the end of days Esau will be refined.

There are more verses. Some are a bit obscure. The bottom line is, that Obadiah’s description seems to match many past and recent events. This encourages optimism that the complete Redemption with Moshiach is close.

May it happen very soon.