Obadiah (5)

Recompense and Restoration

Introduction: One of the lessons of growing into adulthood is learning that there are consequences for our actions. Examples.

Today from Obadiah verses 15-18 we are going to see contrasting consequences. A very different outcomes between the future of Edom, and the future of Israel. Read passage.

Study Observations:

Contrasting days! The Day of the Lord will prove to bring recompence upon Edom much like the “day” they rejoiced in the ruin of Judah . Edom will receive their reward for seeking their own revenge. They will be compensated for the calamity they participated in against Judah.

The Lord reminds that, “all nations” will receive justice.

How is it that God can bring justice to all the peoples of the earth? Because He created all peoples of the earth.

Point: He is God of the nations. He created all peoples and permits all establishments of earthly power. He called out a nation in order to bring about blessing to all nations. God's sovereignty over the nations is evident in that He uses nations to come against nations (1), He makes nations small among other nations (2), and the Day of the Lord will be upon all nations. (15)He came to earth and died and rose again so that those who trust in Him might become a holy nation. He sent His disciples to the nations. Peoples from every tribe and tongue and nation will one day worship Him. And He will rule and reign over all the nations of the earth! ()

The principle of reaping what you have sown (15b) … what are the gospel implications of this principle? See

Galatians 6:6–10 ESV

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Verse 16 shows us an example of how Edom and the nations will reap what they have sown. In contrast to Mount Esau, Mount Zion will remain. It is God’s Holy mountain and His people will possess His promised land. (16,17)

What all this “drinking” business about? certainly an illustration of the wrath of God being being continually swallowed up until they are brought low. They are going to be forced to swallow up judgment that will cause them to diminish to ashes.

Lest we think this judgment from God is too harsh, or perhaps overboard on retribution let us be reminded of the Christ connection: Drinking the cup of redemption as the sacrifice for sinners.

Verse 17 reveals the further contrast to the ultimate outcome of Mount Zion compared to mount Esau. God’s people would be restored, and they were. During the reign of Cyrus King of Persia. The book of Ezra and Nehemiah records the return and restoration of Jerusalem.

In the day of their calamity Judah suffered at the hands of Edom. But on the day of the Lord, Judah will possess what is rightly theirs. The Lord would raise up His covenant people to cause Edom to become stubble. And it would be a thorough judgment. (18a)

Once again the authority for this proclamation is the Word of God. As the Lord has spoken, so shall it be. (18c) God will keep His word.

We should also notice the far future implications of this promise of God to restore His people. According to those who belong to Christ can anticipate a full restoration of Jerusalem someday.

Revelation 20:1–3 ESV

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Revelation 21:1–4 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

We will all receive just recompense with God. Will it be wrath or restoration?