Obadiah 1:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The prophetic utterance seems to employ the term fire-bearer, indicating this shift; for by fire, it designates the house of Jacob and by flame, the house of Joseph. The house of Jacob could rightly refer to the descendents of Judah and Benjamin, while the house of Joseph may denote the inhabitants of Samaria or the ten tribes, whose rulers were often from Ephraim, and both Ephraim and Manasseh were descendants of Joseph.

The phrase about inheriting those who dwell in Nagevah (Agebah) carries this meaning. When the Babylonians departed their homeland to besiege Jerusalem, and Nebuchadnezzar battled against them, it resulted in widespread devastation that ultimately left the region in utter ruin and stripped of its people. Nevertheless, upon God's mercy for them and their deliverance from captivity, they returned to their homeland. Thus, He declares His intention to spread them out, causing them to become a vast multitude, capable of possessing the lands of neighboring nations, while Idumea would be justly constrained. A clear sign of divine blessing is this: those in Nagev, meaning those dwelling to the south, shall inherit the mountain of Esau, signifying Idumea; for it, located in the south, will be wholly claimed by the inhabitants from the southern part of Judah.

Those who reside in the lowlands, indicating those who dwell in the northernmost plains of Judah, shall inherit the strangers, specifically the Philistines or Palestinians. They will also possess the cities of Ephraim, Samaria, Benjamin, and Gilead. These territories were once bequeathed to the tribes of Israel under the leadership of Jesus, the successor of Moses. However, since these areas had been desolated prior to Nebuchadnezzar's arrival due to the Assyrians and the reigns of kings Tulo and Salmanassar, it is foretold that these lands will be inhabited again and no longer remain a wasteland as they had before.

Under leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, the house of Jacob will reclaim its rightful inheritance from those who held it before. The house of Jacob, namely Judah, will act as a fire, with Joseph’s descendants, representing the ten tribes, serving as a flame, for Joseph’s line produced Ephraim, the tribe from which the kingdom of Samaria arose. Conversely, the house of Esau, the Idumeans, who treated their brother mercilessly, will be reduced to straw. Just as fire consumes straw with ease, these two kingdoms, united as one vine as foretold by Ezekiel, will lay waste to Idumea, eradicating it entirely, leaving no one to announce their enemies' downfall to neighboring nations.

The meaning of the text resonates with the LXX translation terms, suggesting both "purveyor of bread" and within the context of the period, couriers known as ‘frumentarii’ in ancient times. Nevertheless, it is preferable to understand the Hebrew word ‘sirid’ as either the remnant, the one who fled, or the one who survived, as interpreted by various translations. This prophecy is fulfilled because the Lord has decreed it, and His commands carry the weight of realization. Another interpretation suggests that after the worldly pursuits and fleshly works are destroyed, salvation will thrive in the church for those who remain steadfast to their mother faith, where the Holy One will dwell, as Isaiah proclaims, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts,” for all who are sanctified are united with Him.

The house of Jacob, characterized by humility, will gain back those who had the inheritance; he will transform his persecutors into Christians and welcome even the Idumeans into the faith. Yet, the house of Esau will turn to straw, unable to withstand the fervid challenges presented by Jacob, whose arguments are inflamed by the divine word, as it is written, “the words of the Lord are kindled.” They will falter against the house of Joseph, denoting growth, which once provided sustenance during famine in Egypt after being sold by his brothers. In the initial confrontation, their wise arguments will amount to nothing, consumed in their pursuit of salvation—echoing Isaac’s blessing to Esau that declared Jacob lord over him and that he would serve his brother.

There will be no remnant of the house of Esau when all creation bows before Christ, whether in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, affirming that “God is all in all.” Because Esau built upon Christ's foundation using transient materials—wood, hay, and straw—the houses of Jacob and Joseph will ignite as fires, just as the Lord has declared, “I am a consuming fire,” that after the sins are purged like chaff, pure wheat may be gathered for the granaries.

All that has been discussed and will be expressed is anticipated by the Jews for the future, expecting to receive Antichrist instead of Christ, aligning with the Savior's prophecy: “I am come in my Father's name, and ye shall not receive me; but if any man comes in his own name, him you shall receive.” They erroneously believe that prophecies concerning Idumea pertain to the Roman Empire. However, we maintain that these prophecies have either been historically fulfilled under Zerubbabel or are continually being realized within the church, impacting individual souls in relation to their mortal selves. Regarding the “provider of bread,” metaphorically, it signifies that heretics will be devoid of sustenance, lacking the true grain of wheat that died for humanity and the heavenly bread. Some suggest that the LXX may have implied not “provider of bread” but “one who sows sparks.” Thus, through multiple interpretations, we conclude that heretics will not find true nourishment nor claim to possess the light of Christ, for even “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”