Obadiah Part 05

In Obadiah verse 17 through the end of the book, the tone shifts from judgment to restoration, drawing a sharp contrast between the fate of Edom and the future deliverance of Israel. Verse 17 declares that while Edom faces destruction, there will be deliverance on Mount Zion, which often symbolizes not only Jerusalem but also God’s people more broadly, as seen in Joel 2:32. This establishes a hopeful promise that God preserves and restores His people even amid widespread judgment. 

Verse 18 speaks of both the “house of Jacob” and the “house of Joseph,” which may indicate the reunification of Judah and Israel—a future event also described in Ezekiel 37:19–22. While there may have been partial historical foreshadowing during the Maccabean Revolt, when Edom was subdued and absorbed, the full realization appears to lie in the future. The statement that “there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau” suggests a complete and final judgment on Edom, possibly indicating that no physical Edomites will survive into the millennial age, paralleling Jeremiah 49:17–18. However, this does not mean Edomites are excluded from future resurrection, as passages like Revelation 20:5 and 21:12 indicate that all the dead will be raised for judgment. 

Verses 19–20 describe the restoration and expansion of Israel during the millennium, as the people are regathered into the Promised Land and occupy a territory far greater than the present-day state of Israel—resembling the extent of the kingdom under David and Solomon. This expansion in all directions is echoed in Isaiah 11:14, which speaks of Israel extending its influence over surrounding regions such as Philistia, Edom, and Moab. Locations like Zarephath to the north and Gilead to the east illustrate the scope of this restoration. The reference to “Sepharad,” though uncertain, likely symbolizes distant lands to which the Jewish people were scattered, emphasizing a regathering from the farthest boundaries. 

Finally, verse 21 concludes the book with a vision of God’s ultimate kingdom. The “saviors” mentioned likely refer to those who will rule under God’s authority during the millennium, consistent with prophecies such as Daniel 7:18 and 7:22, where the saints receive and possess the kingdom. This culminates in the declaration that “the kingdom shall be the LORD’s,” a theme echoed throughout Scripture in passages like Revelation 19:6, Luke 1:33, and Psalm 22:28. This final statement ties together the central message of Obadiah: although Edom, in its pride, believed itself secure and untouchable, it will ultimately be brought low, and all nations will come under the sovereign rule of God. 

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.