We meet with many of this name in Scripture. The name is evidently derived from Habad, a slave, or labourer; and the Jah being connected with it, renders the name Obad-jah, the Lord's servant, or slave or labourer. In a gospel-sense this is very blessed; for as slaves were purchased, so believers are said "to be bought with a price," and therefore, above all men, are called upon to "glorify God in their body and in their spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:20) But Peter, the apostle, makes a beautiful contrast between the purchase of the slaves of men, and the purchased of the Lord. "Forasmuch (saith he) as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19)
We have no less than five men of the name of Obadiah in the first book of Chronicles, 1 Chronicles 3:21; 1 Chronicles 7:3; 1 Chronicles 8:38; 1 Chronicles 9:16; and 1 Chronicles 12:9;and one in the second book of the Chronicles, 2 Chronicles 17:7. There is another of this name, Nehemiah 10:5; and a principal man he was in signing the covenant. And we must not forget in this enumeration, the faithful Obadiah in the days of Ehjah. (See 1 Kings 18:1-46.) But the most important to us among the Obadiahs of the Scripture, is the one whom God the Holy Ghost raised up for a prophet and hath given to the church, even to this hour, this man's labours. See the prophecy of Obadiah. I do not presume to say as much, but I humbly would ask, whether the close of his man's vision hath not respect to the latter day glory, in a blessed event yet to be fulfilled. (See Obadiah 1:17-21)