Those who have been delivered will go up on Mount Zion in order to rule over Esau’s mountain. Then the Lord will reign as King!
Into the Text
The minor prophet books can be hard to read. Most deal with God’s call for the nations of Israel and Judah to repent of their idolatry and turn back to God, or they are messages of judgment for sin. But there is one other thing that is common within the minor prophets: most of the books end with a message of hope. We see that here in Obadiah.
Similar to what we discussed in Week 1 in the book of Joel, Obadiah also describes the coming Day of the Lord. It would be a day of judgment for the people of Edom. However, Obadiah also states that this judgment would come to all people (1:15) if they continue to act like Edom. But God also states that he will preserve a remnant, a group of people who remain faithful to Him (1:17).
Obadiah shows us the relationship of God’s justice and faithfulness. As He is holy, God cannot let sin go unpunished. Sometimes, we see the consequences of sin right away. At other times, we won’t see it until God makes all things new one day. God is perfectly just in all that He does.
However, God is also forgiving and faithful. God made a way through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for people to be forgiven of their sins and made right with Him. All that is required is faith (Romans 6:23; 10:9-10). God faithfully preserves His children and will keep them to the end.
No matter what we face this side of heaven, we serve a victorious King. We do not need to fear nor be dismayed, for we have a sure and steady God who is good and right in all that He does.
Prayer
God, thank you that you are just and faithful. Thank you for the messages of hope tucked into the minor prophets. May I see the hope found in Christ each day as I eagerly await His return. Amen.