Christ as a Conqueror
G. Jeans, M. A. Obadiah 1:21 And saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's. This is a vision concerning Edom, or the Mount of Esau, or Idumea, which are different names of one and the same country, the mountainous region to the south of Judaea. It is a prophecy of ruin to the Edomites, for their treatment of their kindred nation the Jews at the time of their trouble. When the remnant of the Jews were carried into Babylon, the Edomites behaved ill to their subjugated and suffering kindred. They "stood on the other side" (vers. 11-14). Edom came to ruin; but Israel, though sorely chastised and brought low, was never to be crushed. The text shows how the difference is to be effected, and its issue. Esau should have none to help him, but shame should cover him, and he should be cut off for ever. But saviours should come up on Mount Zion, and that for judgment against Esau, and the Lord's inheritance should be preserved, and the kingdom should be His. Possibly two, or more than two, events have been purposely mixed up together in the prophet's vision. 1. Understand by the "Saviours," the great Saviour. The Maccabean princes were saviours, but the Saviour Simeon and Anna hailed is the great Saviour. 2. The purpose for which He came to Mount Zion. For judgment. (1) The distinguishing between profession and practice, between the literal and the spiritual Israel. He came that the thoughts of many hearts should be revealed. (2) The same intermixture of judgment with present imperfection in it is visible in every part of the Saviour's work on earth. The prince of this world is judged, but he is not cast out. He is not abashed. (3) It is the same with the spiritual enemies of the soul of man, and of God. Yet we see imperfection in every part, — the imperfection of non-completion. (4) He is come for judgment upon the enemies within His people, as well as without them, the old heart that holds with the world and the flesh, and is in league with the devil. And the same incompleteness during our present state we mourn over here. 3. Look at the predicted end. The kingdom shall be the Lord's. That is promised and certain. (1) The kingdom shall be His over our rebel hearts. It often seems impossible, or at least hopeless now. (2) The Gospel kingdom is, and shall be, His. (3) The kingdom over all the earth, over all that rises up against Him, is His. To this end was He born, that as a Saviour He should come to Mount Zion, to judge the Mount of Esau, and that the kingdom should be the Lord's. (G. Jeans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S. WEB: Saviors will go up on Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom will be Yahweh's.