“In that day,” declares the Lord, “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?” (8). Obadiah prophesied against “Edom”, the nation descended from Esau whose land bordered Israel’s. They had “gloated” over Israel’s misfortunes (12) and thought themselves secure (3). But Obadiah looked forward to a day when God would turn the world’s assumptions upside-down, and those secure in their power and worldly wisdom would come to nothing (16,19), while exiles would return home.

“But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy” (17). Reaching out for God’s deliverance – Mount Zion - means letting go of false sources of security, so that our refuge in is Him alone (Hebrews 12:22-24).