The day of the Lord

In Obadiah 1-9, the prophecy of judgment that will come upon Edom was recorded, and in verses 10-14 the reasons why judgment would come were written. Today’s passage (v 15-16) is a prophecy concerning when that judgment will take place. The time when that judgment will ultimately be fulfilled is “the day of the Lord (Yahweh).” (1) “The day of the Lord” is the day when God’s judgment comes upon Israel and the nations. It comes as a precursor to the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennium). The order is that all sins will be judged and then the Messianic Kingdom will be established. (2) In Revelation, “the day of the Lord” is known by the term the seven-year “Tribulation.” However, in the Old Testament, the term “the day of the Lord” is the most common, and the prophets also use that term.

The sin of plundering from Jerusalem

(1) The day of the Lord is drawing near not only upon Edom but upon all the nations. (2) Edom will be dealt with by God in the same way it dealt with Israel. Surely it will reap what it has sown. (3) Edom and the peoples of the nations celebrated victory on the holy mountain, Jerusalem. Which is what is means by “Drank.” (4) Therefore, they will “drink continually.” This time it will not be celebratory wine, but the cup of God’s vengeance, the cup of wrath, that they will drink. As a result, they will end up in a miserable state, just as it says: “And become as if they had never existed.” (5) Zechariah 12:2-3 says the following, and this too conveys the same message as Obadiah: “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes staggering to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about on that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will injure themselves severely. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Let us take this Scripture to heart. Blessed are those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem.