Who’s Kingdom Is It? Obadiah

Obadiah 1:21 (ESV Strong's)

Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion

to rule Mount Esau,

and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.

Who’s Kingdom Is It?

Obadiah is a message sent to the country of Edom (descendants of Esau, Jacobs ... Israel .. older brother).  When Israel was wandering in the wilderness they requested to pass through the land of Edom. Even though they promised to eat nothing, not top or take anything, Edom refused them passage.   God saw this and would punish them for it. Obadiah is that prophecy of punishment.  The “feud” between Edom and Israel was based upon Esau’s bitterness because Jacob stole his birthright.   He just never go over it.  To the day of Obadiah’s prophecy his descendants have not move passed that offense.   God sent this destruction upon them to teach us about how we treat our brothers.   Yet, there is something special in the last verse of this prophecy.  Obadiah states that “saviors” (probably, better, survivors) would return to the land of Israel.  They would once again be there to dwell in the land.  But, note the last line:

“... and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”  

The capitalization of LORD means that this is the Hebrew name of God: Yahweh.   This is the most holy name of God for the Hebrews.  What Obadiah says, to end his prophecy, is that the kingdom (Israel) is Yahweh’s kingdom.   Edom thought the land was their land.   Just as all nations think the “land” is their land.  But, it is not. It is God’s kingdom.  God is the sovereign ruler of all kingdoms.   We may not recognize it, or affirm it, or even admit it, but God is the sovereign ruler of ALL kingdoms.   They are but pawns in His violent game vs evil and sin.   We can rejoice that God sees when others mistreat us and we can be assured that He will do what needs to be done to promote His kingdom.