Obd 17 | KingComments | STEP | The word “but” with which this verse begins indicates the contradiction between the previous verses and what follows now. After the judgment on Edom and the nations that possess the same spirit as Edom with respect to God’s people, in the prophecy now follows the announcement of the kingdom of God. The establishment of God’s kingdom is related to the exaltation of Israel as head of the nations ( ). Opposite the extermination of the nations is the salvation that is given to God’s people. The center of this salvation, this redemption, is “Mount Zion”. That is the mountain where God will dwell among His people and from where He will reign ( ). This verse contains the merciful promise to Israel that he will be restored. To anyone who acknowledges God’s judgment as right, i.e. confesses his guilt and repents, God points out a place where one can escape judgment. That place is Zion. All who are there are the true people of the LORD. For them, Zion is a sanctuary, a mountain where God dwells, together with those who have confessed their sins. God sees them as cleansed, for He imputes to them His righteousness on the basis of the work of His Son, Who died for the sins of everyone who confesses them. They can therefore be in God’s presence. God’s sanctuary also means protection against any threat from the enemy. Whoever is there is inviolable, for who can stand up against God? There is not only protection. There is more. After the enemy has been judged, the people who have sought refuge on the mountain of God will be repossessed of their possessions. How all this will work is written in . Judah and Israel will take possession of the nations, destroy Edom and extend their borders in all directions. The Israelites scattered among the nations will return in their extended inheritance. describes the end result: judgment on Edom and the reign in the hands of the LORD. In a spiritual sense, Mount Zion stands opposite Mount Sinai ( ). Sinai is the mountain of the law, with which judgment is connected. Zion is the mountain of grace, with which blessing is connected, which is evident from all the Scriptures where this mountain is spoken of, also here in Obadiah. Obadiah speaks of a literal mountain, with which earthly blessing is connected. Israel, the twelve tribes, will receive that blessing when Christ will reign over the earth as King. But for us, Christians, it is a spiritual mountain and the heavenly blessing attached to it. We should interpret the text “but you have come to Mount Zion” ( ) in that sense. We are connected with a heavenly Christ. By this we are separated from the law and the whole religious system that is connected to it. The letter to the Hebrews is one great plea for letting go of the earthly religion, because He Who was the center of it, Christ, has been rejected. He is now in heaven. Spiritually speaking, Mount Zion does not mean possession on earth, but possession in heaven for everyone who is connected to Christ. For the Christian, coming to Mount Zion is connected with taking possession of spiritual blessings. God has given His own “everything pertaining to life and godliness” ( ). He “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ” ( ). They possess in Christ “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” ( ). Christians possess immeasurably much. Unfortunately, many do not take possession of these treasures, they show no interest in them at all. Some have bookcases with beautiful reading, but they don’t read in them. They have brothers and sisters in the faith, but they do not enjoy fellowship with them. They are absorbed in the things of the world, in their profession, in their hobby. But there is an opportunity to really take possession of what we have received, to come to Mount Zion, that is, to come into God’s presence and share in His holiness.

‏ Obadiah 17

Mount Zion for Israel

The word “but” with which this verse begins indicates the contradiction between the previous verses and what follows now. After the judgment on Edom and the nations that possess the same spirit as Edom with respect to God’s people, in the prophecy now follows the announcement of the kingdom of God. The establishment of God’s kingdom is related to the exaltation of Israel as head of the nations (Deu 28:13). Opposite the extermination of the nations is the salvation that is given to God’s people.

The center of this salvation, this redemption, is “Mount Zion”. That is the mountain where God will dwell among His people and from where He will reign (Joel 3:17a). This verse contains the merciful promise to Israel that he will be restored.

To anyone who acknowledges God’s judgment as right, i.e. confesses his guilt and repents, God points out a place where one can escape judgment. That place is Zion. All who are there are the true people of the LORD. For them, Zion is a sanctuary, a mountain where God dwells, together with those who have confessed their sins. God sees them as cleansed, for He imputes to them His righteousness on the basis of the work of His Son, Who died for the sins of everyone who confesses them. They can therefore be in God’s presence.

God’s sanctuary also means protection against any threat from the enemy. Whoever is there is inviolable, for who can stand up against God? There is not only protection. There is more. After the enemy has been judged, the people who have sought refuge on the mountain of God will be repossessed of their possessions.

How all this will work is written in Oba 1:18-20. Judah and Israel will take possession of the nations, destroy Edom and extend their borders in all directions. The Israelites scattered among the nations will return in their extended inheritance. Oba 1:21 describes the end result: judgment on Edom and the reign in the hands of the LORD.

In a spiritual sense, Mount Zion stands opposite Mount Sinai (Heb 12:18-22). Sinai is the mountain of the law, with which judgment is connected. Zion is the mountain of grace, with which blessing is connected, which is evident from all the Scriptures where this mountain is spoken of, also here in Obadiah.

Obadiah speaks of a literal mountain, with which earthly blessing is connected. Israel, the twelve tribes, will receive that blessing when Christ will reign over the earth as King. But for us, Christians, it is a spiritual mountain and the heavenly blessing attached to it. We should interpret the text “but you have come to Mount Zion” (Heb 12:22) in that sense. We are connected with a heavenly Christ. By this we are separated from the law and the whole religious system that is connected to it.

The letter to the Hebrews is one great plea for letting go of the earthly religion, because He Who was the center of it, Christ, has been rejected. He is now in heaven. Spiritually speaking, Mount Zion does not mean possession on earth, but possession in heaven for everyone who is connected to Christ. For the Christian, coming to Mount Zion is connected with taking possession of spiritual blessings.

God has given His own “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2Pet 1:3). He “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ” (Eph 1:3). They possess in Christ “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). Christians possess immeasurably much.

Unfortunately, many do not take possession of these treasures, they show no interest in them at all. Some have bookcases with beautiful reading, but they don’t read in them. They have brothers and sisters in the faith, but they do not enjoy fellowship with them. They are absorbed in the things of the world, in their profession, in their hobby. But there is an opportunity to really take possession of what we have received, to come to Mount Zion, that is, to come into God’s presence and share in His holiness.