Obadiah 1:17
But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession.
But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance,

While Edom faced irreversible judgment for its violence against Judah, God promised preservation and restoration for His covenant people. Mount Zion, the place of David’s throne and Solomon’s temple, represented the earthly center of God’s rule among Israel. The promise includes the return of a remnant after exile, yet it also reaches toward the final salvation God will establish from Zion. Jesus Christ, the promised Son of David and the cornerstone laid in Zion, secures deliverance from sin and judgment for all who belong to Him.

Jol 2:32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved…
Psa 14:7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion!…
Isa 37:32 For a remnant will go forth from Jerusalem,…

and it will be holy,

Zion would no longer be defiled by invading armies, idolatry, or the unfaithfulness that had brought judgment upon Judah. God’s presence sets His dwelling place and His people apart. The restoration envisioned by Obadiah requires more than renewed national security; it involves purification and covenant faithfulness. Through Christ’s sacrifice, believers are sanctified for God, and the coming kingdom will fully display the holiness of the Lord.

Isa 4:3 Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left……
Jol 3:17 Then you will know that I am the LORD your God,…
Zec 8:3 This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion…

and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession.

Jacob’s descendants would again possess the inheritance God had given them in the land. The return from Babylon provided an initial historical fulfillment, but Obadiah’s surrounding prophecy anticipates a broader restoration in which Israel’s enemies are judged and the Lord openly reigns. God’s gifts and calling concerning Israel remain sure, and His faithfulness to the patriarchal promises points to the certainty of His final kingdom.

Jer 30:3 For behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD…
Isa 14:1-2 For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob;…
Amo 9:14-15 I will restore My people Israel from captivity;…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mount Zion
A significant hill in Jerusalem, symbolizing the presence of God and the spiritual center for the people of Israel. It represents God's kingdom and His promise of deliverance and holiness.

2. House of Jacob
Refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. This term emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites, highlighting their identity as God's chosen people.

3. Deliverance
The act of being rescued or set free. In this context, it refers to God's promise to save His people from their enemies and restore them to their rightful place.

4. Holiness
The state of being holy, set apart for God's purposes. It signifies purity, dedication, and the presence of God among His people.

5. Reclaiming Possession
The act of taking back what was originally theirs. This implies restoration and fulfillment of God's promises to His people.
Teaching Points
God's Promise of Deliverance
God is faithful to deliver His people from their adversaries. This promise is a source of hope and assurance for believers today.

The Call to Holiness
As God's people, we are called to live holy lives, set apart for His purposes. Holiness is both a gift and a responsibility.

Restoration and Reclamation
God restores what is lost and reclaims what is rightfully His. This encourages us to trust in His restorative power in our lives.

The Importance of Spiritual Heritage
The house of Jacob represents a spiritual heritage that believers are part of through faith in Christ. We are called to honor and uphold this heritage.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God's plan includes justice and restoration for His people. We can trust in His sovereign will and timing.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of deliverance on Mount Zion in Obadiah 1:17 encourage you in your current life circumstances?

2. In what ways can you pursue holiness in your daily life, reflecting the holiness mentioned in this verse?

3. How does the concept of reclaiming possession relate to areas in your life where you seek restoration or renewal?

4. What connections do you see between the deliverance promised in Obadiah and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ?

5. How can understanding your spiritual heritage as part of the "house of Jacob" influence your identity and actions as a believer?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joel 2:32
This verse also speaks of deliverance on Mount Zion, emphasizing God's promise of salvation for those who call on His name.

Isaiah 4:2-4
These verses describe the holiness and purification of Zion, aligning with the theme of holiness in Obadiah 1:17.

Amos 9:11-15
Amos speaks of the restoration of Israel, similar to the reclaiming of possession mentioned in Obadiah.
Safety, Sanctity, and SufficiencyA.C. Thiselton Obadiah 1:17
The True Church; Or, the Community of the Good: 1. a Beneficent PowerD. Thomas Obadiah 1:17
Holiness on Mount ZionG. Cubitt.Obadiah 1:17-20
Mount Zion and its BlessingsJohn N. Norton.Obadiah 1:17-20
The Church Delivered, Purified, and PrivilegedJohn Campbell.Obadiah 1:17-20
The True Church, or the Community O the GoodHomilistObadiah 1:17-20
People
Benjamin, Canaanites, Esau, Jacob, Joseph, Obadiah, Teman
Places
Edom, Esau, Gilead, Jerusalem, Mount Esau, Mount Zion, Negeb, Samaria, Sepharad, Shephelah, Teman, Zarephath
Topics
Deliverance, Escape, Heritage, Holiness, Holy, Inheritance, Jacob, Kept, Mount, Possess, Possessed, Possessions, Safe, Zion
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Obadiah 1:17

     6634   deliverance
     9220   day of the LORD

Obadiah 1:1-21

     5263   communication

Obadiah 1:16-17

     1065   God, holiness of

Obadiah 1:17-21

     9145   Messianic age

Library
Obadiah
The book of Obadiah--shortest of all the prophetic books--is occupied, in the main, as the superscription suggests, with the fate of Edom. Her people have been humbled, the high and rocky fastnesses in which they trusted have not been able to save them. Neighbouring Arab tribes have successfully attacked them and driven them from their home (vv, 1-7).[1] This is the divine penalty for their cruel and unbrotherly treatment of the Jews after the siege of Jerusalem, vv. 10-14, 15b. Nay, a day
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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