The book of Obadiah presents to us a wonderful vision of the destruction of Edom (aka Esau – Gen 25:30), that is, the man of flesh. It's a short read, yet full of prophetic Divine wonder! Edom means, “red, earthly, bloody”. The Bible is clear in type that this company is indeed typical of the man of flesh; that which continually seeks to hinder and halt the people of God on their journey into the promised land (Num 20:14-21). Edom, in his days, “revolted from under the hand of Judah…” (2 Kgs 8:20), and set up their own king. But thank God that “his days” are soon coming to an end! The man of flesh will soon be brought under! “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Rom 7:24-25). We find it interesting that at one point in time the Edomites were conquered by King David, a type of the Lord Jesus, and also a type of the extravagant worshipper (2 Sam 8:14). Even David’s offspring had control of Edom (1 Kgs 9:26)! So let it be, Lord Jesus!
The Bible tells us that this Edom was “greatly despised” (Obad 2), full of pride (Obad 3), exalted as the eagle (Obad 4), and so on. However, it also tells us of its inevitable slaughter and destruction (Obad 8-10). And why so? It is because of the hardships the man of flesh has caused the people of God; the hindrances, the strife, the turmoil (Obad 11-16). These things have indeed served their purpose, and yet are, but the time is coming when the flesh of man will verily be “cut off”. Thank God! And who shall firstly experience such a cutting off we might ask? And where shall this take place? Mount Zion! “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions” (Obad 17). Mount Zion, that is, the place of true worship where God is enthroned! There is a spiritual Zion. How strikingly similar this passage is to Joel 2:32: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.” It is in God's remnant firstfruits company that this purity will be initially birthed. The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble! There shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord hath spoken it!
The mount of Esau will truly and actually be possessed, and brought under subjection. “...Sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Gen 4:7). They, the remnant of God in the earth, shall possess the fields of Ephraim. Ephraim means, “fruitful and increasing”. They will possess the fields of Samaria. Samaria comes from a root that means, “to protect; to hedge about with thorns”. Benjamin, that is, “the sons of the right hand” (note Ps 45:9) shall possess Gilead. Gilead means, “a heap of testimony”. They shall possess the Canaanites (Obad 20). And who were the Canaanites? They were the offspring of Ham (Gen 9:22), and in relation to Nimrod (Gen 10:6-8). Thus, this company of overcomers will indeed trample the courts of Babylon. They shall also possess Zarephath. Zarephath means, “refinement, ambush of the mouth”. Oh, how I long for this testimony! Don’t you? According to our faith, let it be unto us.
“And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S" (Obad 21). These manifested sons of God will indeed be revealed to the earth, possessing their possessions, and walking in restoration. And for what purpose? To judge! To avenge the remainder of God’s people upon Edom, the man of flesh (Isa 63:1-4). To speak like-restoration to a weeping and widowed body (Lk 7:11-17; Rev 10; Ezek 37:1-7). “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:20-21).
People get ready! Jesus is coming!
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