John Calvin Commentary Obadiah 1:6

"How are [the things of] Esau searched! how are his hidden treasures sought out!" — Obadiah 1:6 (ASV)

He confirms the former sentence—that the Idumeans trusted in vain that their riches would be safe, because they had hidden and deep recesses. Even when a country is plundered by enemies, the conquerors do not dare to go to dangerous places; when there are narrow passes, they avoid them, because they think that some evil design is there.

Therefore, conquerors, fearing hidden places, plunder only those that are open and always carefully consider whether their advance is safe. But Idumea, as we have said, had hidden recesses, because its rocks were almost inaccessible, and there were many suitable places there for hiding and concealing its riches. The Prophet, however, says that all this would be useless; and so that he might more effectively rouse them, he speaks with astonishment, as if about something incredible.

How have been sought the things of Esau, and his hidden places thoroughly searched! Who could have thought this? For they could have concealed their treasures in rocks and caverns, and from there repelled their enemies. But all their attempts would be in vain: how could this possibly be? Here then he awakens the minds of people, so that they might acknowledge the judgment of God; and at the same time he scorns the vain confidence with which the Idumeans were puffed up; and furthermore, he strengthens the minds of the godly, so that they might not doubt that God would perform what He declares, for He can indeed penetrate even to the lowest depths.

In short, the Prophet implies that the faithful would not be acting wisely if they measured God’s vengeance, which was impending over the Idumeans, by their own understanding or by what usually happens. This is because the Lord would make a thorough search, so that no hiding places would escape His sight, and then all their treasures would be exposed as prey to their enemies.

From this we learn that just as people in vain seek hiding places for themselves to be safe from dangers, so too they conceal their riches in vain, because the hand of God can penetrate beyond the sea, land, heaven, and the lowest depths. Nothing then remains for us but to always offer ourselves and all that we have to God.

If He protects us under His wings, we will be safe in the midst of innumerable dangers; but if we think that subterfuges will be of any use to us, we deceive ourselves. The Prophet now adds—