Articles
Reading Zephaniah
Reading Zephaniah
Since God had saved Jerusalem from the attack by Assyria, the people had considered their city impervious to overthrow and judgment. However, during this same time we have seen the kings like Manasseh who led the whole of Judah into idolatry. They were now, , facing the threat of Babylon. They longed for the ‘day of the LORD’, thinking it would be the day when God again saved them from their enemies. Zephaniah warns that the day of the Lord was indeed coming, but it would be a day of judgment and wrath of God AGAINST THEM!
Zephaniah begins with a picture of God’s universal rule and judgment upon the earth*. In reverse order of the creation, he writes about God’s destroying what He created. He can do that! This is HIS world, HIS creation. Zephaniah then speaks of God’s coming judgment and lists many of the nations around Judah. Finally, he says that Jerusalem itself would face God’s wrath and be destroyed. This DID happen when the Babylonians came in 586 B.C.
This would NOT be the end of God’s promise to Abraham through David. God would yet bless all nations thru the seed of Abraham. There would be a remnant that would survive and be God’s people. There is always a remnant!
The ‘day of the LORD’ was also used by Joel to speak of the coming judgment when the people rejected the Messiah: ‘the great and notable day of the LORD’ (cp. Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:16-2). When Jesus came and was rejected, the consequence was the destruction of their city and nation. Their temple was destroyed, their priesthood removed, and the very law was superseded by the New Covenant. Again, there WAS a remnant who were saved, those who believed in Jesus, the church.
There is yet a ‘day of the LORD’ to come, when God will gather everyone in judgment (cp. 2 Pet. 3 ). We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2Cor. ). In Zephaniah’s day, the admonition was:
Seek the Lord,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger.
Today, we can be saved from the wrath of God by being a disciple of Jesus. We must be part of that faithful remnant who will walk humbly with the LORD. Are you part of that remnant?
Hugh DeLong
