Obadiah 1:21
Then saviours shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.
Edom, descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, had long stood in opposition to Israel. When Jerusalem fell to Babylon in 586 BC, Edom rejoiced, aided the enemy, and blocked the escape routes of fleeing Israelites (Obadiah 1:12-14).
Obadiah pronounces judgment on Edom and promises a reversal: the captive people of God would one day return, possess their inheritance, and a divine kingdom would be established that would leave no doubt that the LORD reigns.
The Hebrew word translated saviors is moshiim, deliverers or judges, those who execute God’s justice and restore what was lost. While historically this may point to leaders like Nehemiah or the Maccabees who helped restore Israel, the prophetic trajectory of Scripture ultimately points to one supreme Savior: Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.
Mount Zion is the mountain of God, the seat of divine rule, the dwelling place of the Most High. The Psalms show us Zion’s significance (Psalm 48:1-2; 87:1-3). Zion reached its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Hebrews 12:22 declares: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels. The physical mountain of the Old Covenant becomes the spiritual reality of the New, and at its center stands Jesus.
The kingdom of God is the dynamic, saving, reigning rule of the living God breaking into human history. Jesus inaugurated that kingdom. His first recorded sermon announced it: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17). His miracles demonstrated it. His death and resurrection secured it. And His ascension established it – He is seated at the right hand of the Father, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come (Ephesians 1:20-21).
John’s vision in Revelation confirms what Obadiah said: The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! (Revelation 11:15). This is the final word of history. Every kingdom will bow before the kingdom of the LORD.
The cross appeared to be defeat. The tomb appeared to be the end. But Obadiah knew that God’s purposes cannot be buried. The kingdom shall be the LORD’s. Jesus Christ conquered sin, death, and the grave, and ascended to Mount Zion on high, where He rules as King of kings and Lord of lords.
The Saviour on Mount Zion is the one who says: Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). He judges, but He also redeems. He rules, but He also restores.
The kingdom of the world is passing away, but the kingdom of our God and of His Christ is eternal. In Christ, we are citizens of that kingdom; right now, today, in this broken and beautiful world.
We are called to live as subjects of King Jesus, extending His kingdom through love, justice, service, and proclamation.
Ask God to:
- rule over you completely; in your heart, your homes, and our communities.
- strengthen your faith to trust God’s timing and purposes.
- make you a bearer of justice, mercy, and truth in every sphere of life.
