B. Israel Will Possess the Land (vv.19-21)

Four times in vv.19 and 20 Obadiah uses the words “will possess,” a key phrase from v.17 that refers to the restoration of Israel and the triumph of Jehovah in righteous judgment.

When the Jewish captives returned from Babylon they found the Edomites had taken over much of the area of southern Judah. Under pressure from Nabatean Arabs from the desert, the Edomites had moved up the Negev, as far north as Hebron, just twenty miles south of Jerusalem (Earle, 38). In the time of Christ the area was known as Idumea.

No enemy of Israel was more persistent in avarice than Edom. Edom always vented hatred and anger (Smith, 178).

But all the land would be possessed by those who returned from Babylon. The places named in vv.19 and 20 suggest the length and breadth of the land so that the Edomites would have no territory at all. Being completely consumed they would have no need of land or possessions.

Finally the prophet declares that the kingdom will be the Lord’s. This appears to be either a reference to Israel’s rule from Mount Zion or to some future day after the Edomites were gone and forgotten.

The lessons of Obadiah are several and varied, including the following:

1. “‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Ro 12:19). This may not be one of the highest principles of hope, but there is a cosmic truth—a cause and effect relationship between sin and its end—that must be noted.

2. Sin brings its inevitable result. As one sows so shall he reap. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6:7).

3. Obadiah’s prophecy is a declaration of God’s everlasting opposition to brotherly hate (Ro 12:10; Heb 13:1).

4. Pride is deceitful, and a haughty spirit goes before a fall. Pride leads to vanity and a sense of independence from God (Pr 16:18).

5. Even if one stands aside and watches injustice without raising a voice, one shares with the instigator in the wrongdoing (Pr 29:27).

6. In the time of judgment, God provides a means of escape for those who will turn to him. God always has the last word (Lk 21:36).