Sermon Title: The Kingdom Shall Be the Lord's
Text: Obadiah 1:1–21
Theme: God humbles the proud, defends His people, and promises a final kingdom under Christ.
Introduction: A Major Message from a Minor Prophet
Good morning, Church. Today we turn to the shortest book in the Old Testament, the book of
Obadiah. Though it is just one chapter, its message is weighty and timeless. Obadiah speaks a
word of judgment and justice, a word of warning and of hope. It confronts us with the pride that
brings down nations and individuals alike, but it also lifts our eyes to the coming Kingdom of
God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
In this sermon, we will walk through three movements in the book of Obadiah:
1. God humbles the proud
2. God vindicates His people
3. God will reign through Christ
Let us begin.
I. God Humbles the Proud (vv. 1–9)
Verse 3 declares: "The pride of your heart has deceived you."
Obadiah addresses Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. They had grown arrogant.
They lived in high, rocky fortresses and thought they were untouchable. They trusted in their
military alliances, in their wisdom, in their strength.
But God says: "Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars,
from there I will bring you down" (v. 4).
Pride deceives. It blinds us to our need for God. It makes us think we are self-sufficient. Edom's
pride made them cruel. Instead of helping their brother nation Israel in a time of crisis, they stood
aloof. They mocked. They plundered.
Gospel Connection:
Jesus warns us in Luke 14:11, "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted."
At the cross, we see the ultimate reversal. The Son of God humbled Himself, taking the form of a
servant, becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted
Him.
Where Edom boasted, Jesus emptied Himself. Where Edom fell, Christ rose. The Gospel
confronts our pride and invites us to repent and trust in the One who humbled Himself for our
sake.
II. God Vindicates His People (vv. 10–16)
Verse 12 says: "Do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune."
Edom not only failed to help Judah during their downfall—they rejoiced in it. They looted
Jerusalem. They captured fugitives and handed them over to the enemy.
God declares judgment: "As you have done, it shall be done to you" (v. 15). This is a key verse.
The day of the Lord is not just for Edom, but for all nations. God sees injustice. He repays evil.
Gospel Connection:
God's justice is real, but so is His mercy. The cross of Christ is where justice and mercy kiss.
On the cross, Jesus took the judgment we deserved. He stood in our place, bearing the wrath of
God against sin. And He rose again to offer forgiveness and life.
For the oppressed and betrayed, Jesus is the faithful Brother who defends us. He does not stand
aloof in our suffering—He enters into it. He is our refuge and our vindication.
III. God Establishes His Kingdom (vv. 17–21)
Verse 17: "But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy."
God promises restoration for His people. Though they were brought low, they will rise again.
Possession will return to Jacob. Mount Zion will be holy.
And finally, verse 21: "Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom
shall be the Lord's."
This is a glimpse of the coming Kingdom of God. Obadiah ends not with ruin, but with
restoration.
Gospel Connection:
This Kingdom is fulfilled in Christ. Hebrews 12 tells us that we have come not to Sinai, but to
Mount Zion, to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.
Jesus is the true Savior who ascended not only the earthly hill of Zion, but also the hill of
Calvary. He reigns now as King. And one day, every kingdom will bow before Him. Revelation
11:15 says, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ,
and he shall reign forever and ever."
Application
1. Are we like Edom?
o Do we trust in ourselves—our resources, wisdom, or strength? The Gospel calls
us to humble ourselves and trust in Christ.
2. Are we like Judah?
o Have we suffered injustice, betrayal, or loss? Jesus is the Brother who never fails
us. Run to Him.
3. Are we longing for the Kingdom?
o Obadiah reminds us that history is moving toward God's final reign. Let us live as
citizens of His Kingdom now—pursuing justice, loving mercy, and walking
humbly with our God.
Conclusion
Obadiah may be a short book, but it speaks a long truth: Pride will fall. Justice will prevail.
God’s people will be restored. And in the end, the Kingdom will be the Lord’s.
Let us humble ourselves before the cross, trust in Christ our King, and declare with our lives:
"The Kingdom shall be the Lord's."
Amen.
