Obadiah 1:21

21. With the enemies destroyed and the exiles restored, a life of permanent peace and prosperity will begin under the rule of earthly representatives of the Divine King.

Saviours The same name is given to the champions raised up by Jehovah during the period preceding the establishment of the monarchy (Judges 2:16; Judges 3:9; Judges 3:15, etc.). Nothing is said of the character and nature of these Messianic saviours; their types are the “saviours” of the Book of Judges, and in its general aspects their work may have been expected to resemble that of the latter.

Judge Rule (see on Amos 2:3). The saviours will rule on Mount Zion, the center of the kingdom of God during the Messianic age (Obadiah 1:17; Isaiah 2:2-4), but their sway will extend beyond the borders of Judah. The territory of Edom, which will be in the possession of the restored exiles (Obadiah 1:19), will be a part of the dominion of these “saviours”; but it should be noted that they will not rule over the Edomites, for they are annihilated (Obadiah 1:18).

To this climax the prophet has been moving steadily from the beginning; the arrogance and unrighteous schemes of the Edomites (Obadiah 1:1) will result in their own annihilation, and in the annexation of their territory by the despised Jews. The “saviours” in this verse correspond to the “Messianic king” of other prophetic utterances.

The kingdom shall be Jehovah’s Over these “saviours” Jehovah will be the supreme ruler; the expression of his purpose will be supreme law, obedience and loyalty to him will be the chief ambition. With reference to the Messianic significance of Obadiah 1:21 and the fulfillment of the Messianic expectations see the remarks on Micah 4:5, and at the close of chapter 5.