The Promise of Redemption: Understanding Obadiah 1:21
"And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S." - Obadiah 1:21
In the short but powerful book of Obadiah, we encounter a profound glimpse into God’s justice and sovereignty. Obadiah 1:21 declares, "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S." This verse encapsulates a message of hope and retribution, grounded in God's unwavering authority over all creation.
To fully appreciate this verse, we must first understand its background. Obadiah prophesized during a tumultuous time for Israel, a period marked by exiles and oppression, particularly at the hands of their neighbors, including Edom, the descendants of Esau. Edom’s pride and indifference towards Israel's suffering were highlighted throughout the prophecy, leading to a picture of a nation that had turned away from its brother, Judah, during their time of need. This betrayal stirred God's righteous anger, resulting in the prophetic assurance of judgment upon Edom and the promise of restoration for Israel.
When Obadiah speaks of "saviours" coming from Mount Zion, he is referring not only to earthly leaders but ultimately to the deliverance that God Himself would provide through chosen vessels. The Mount Zion mentioned here is symbolic of God’s throne and His rule among His people. The mention of saviours implies a plurality of those who will rise to deliver Israel, suggesting a community of God's anointed leaders who would rise up from Zion. This is a significant theme throughout Scripture where God increasingly raises leaders — judges, kings, and eventually, Jesus Christ, the ultimate saviour — to fulfill His redemptive plan.
The term "judge the mount of Esau" serves as a stark reminder of divine justice. It underscores that God will hold nations and individuals accountable for their actions. Esau, representing the forces of pride and hostility against Judah, would not escape judgment. Esau’s downfall symbolizes the judgment coming upon those who oppose God and His people. It is a powerful reminder for believers today to examine our hearts and ensure that we are not harboring a spirit of pride or animosity. God’s judgment is impartial and aligns with His righteous character, and it serves to reassess our attitudes toward others, especially those we consider adversaries or rivals.
Finally, the verse concludes with a triumphant proclamation: "and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S." This declaration reinforces the sovereignty of God over all realms, both spiritual and earthly. Israel may have faced destruction and despair, but God promised that His kingdom will ultimately prevail. The reign of God is absolute, and His purposes will not be thwarted. As believers, this assurance provides profound hope; it reminds us that regardless of our circumstances, God is in control, and His kingdom will come. Obadiah’s vision culminates in the assurance that through every trial and tribulation, God’s hand is at work, orchestrating not just judgment but restoration and victory.
As we reflect on Obadiah 1:21, let us find solace in the reality of God's justice and His kingdom. This short book against the backdrop of oppression invites us to trust in Him for deliverance and justice in our lives. Are we experiencing oppression, facing adversaries, or living through troubling times? Let us remember that the Lord reigns, and His justice will prevail. May we be instruments of His peace and righteousness in a world riddled with conflict and pain. As we wait for the coming of our true King, let us proclaim His kingdom with hope as we live in anticipation of His ultimate justice and restoration.
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Obadiah 1:21 - "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S."
"And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S." - Obadiah 1:21
1 Chronicles 3:21 - "And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah."
1 Kings 18:3 - "And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:"
Obadiah 1:4
"And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah." - 1 Chronicles 3:21
Obadiah 1:1 - "The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle."
1 Chronicles 12:9 - "Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,"
"And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:" - 1 Kings 18:3
1 Chronicles 27:19 - "Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:"
Obadiah 1:6 - "How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!"
1 Kings 18:16 - "So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah."
Obadiah 1:17 - "¶ But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions."
Obadiah 1:2 - "Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised."
Obadiah 1:4 – "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."
Obadiah 1:8 - "Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?"
Obadiah 1:4 – "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."
1 Chronicles 7:3 - "And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men."
Obadiah 1:10 - "¶ For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever."
"Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third," - 1 Chronicles 12:9
1 Chronicles 9:16 - "And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites."
1 Chronicles 9:44 - "And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel."
Obadiah 1:9 - "And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter."
1 Chronicles 8:38 - "And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel."
Obadiah 1:19 - "And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead."
1 Kings 18:6 - "So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself."
Obadiah 1:20 - "And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south."
Obadiah 1:4 - "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD."
1 Kings 18:7 - "¶ And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?"
"The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle." - Obadiah 1:1