The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation—7

     As we conclude our consideration of Obadiah’s prophecy concerning Edom, we come now to the final five verses. They read as follows: “But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions. The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor to the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken. Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau, and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines; they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zerephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb. Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (Obadiah 17-21)

     These verses have proven difficult to interpret. This is evidenced by the sheer amount of differing views concerning whether what is discussed is to be understood spiritually, physically, or a combination of both. Proceeding with John’s statement that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10b) at the forefront of my thinking, I believe that verses 17-21 are primarily messianic in nature and it is with that understanding that I continue.

     While Obadiah consistently predicted that Mount Esau would be utterly abased, escape would be found in Mount Zion. This escape was not for Jacob’s physical descendants only, but for all the redeemed of all the nations through Jesus Christ (Luke 1:31-33).

     Judas Maccabeus greatly wounded Edom when he led an attack that killed more than twenty thousand of them. Later, John Hyrcanus subjugated them and forced them to accept Judaism (134-104 BC), though they never did so more than nominally. However, Judah’s conquest against Edom was not the complete fulfillment of Obadiah’s prophecy. It is imperative that we consider the messianic conquest through our Lord (Numbers 24:15-24; Amos 9:11-12). Take a moment to read Acts 15:15-18 to see James specifically declare that the prophecy of Amos finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

      My understanding is that the inclusion of the Gentiles into the kingdom of our dear Lord equals the ultimate fulfillment of both the prophecies of Amos and Obadiah. This messianic fulfillment means that if anyone from Esau escaped they would only be able to do so at mount Zion under the rule and reign of the Messiah.

      Obadiah went on to say that the deliverance promised to the exiles was to come through “saviors” (Verse 12). Following the messianic understanding of these verses, such saviors would have come in the form of apostles, evangelists, and teachers who went about spreading the good news of the kingdom and offering salvation to “whosoever will.” 

      The message of Obadiah ends as the Bible itself ends in the book of Revelation: God’s people are triumphant against all opposition through His strength and faithfulness. Finally, all enemies of righteousness will be destroyed and only the godly will remain.

     How wonderfully blessed we are to serve a God whose power and wisdom remain unmatched and unmatchable! How grateful we should be that this awesome God is on our side and will fight for us and with us provided we stay on His side. There is simply no outside force in existence that has the power to snatch us from the hands of God (John 10:29). Let this knowledge move us to greater and continued faithfulness.

       Edom was a terribly ungodly people. They were arrogant, prideful, hateful, and contemptible of both people and God. They were given years to repent and change their ways but never did. The time they were graciously granted by God served only to move them from bad to worse (2 Timothy 3:13). Finally that nation was destroyed because of their terrible sins. Individuals make up a nation. Let us do our part to ensure that as long as we still live there will be faithful saints in this country.