The Lord gave Zephaniah a message of warnings for evil doers and promises of blessings to those who trust in Him and honor Him with good deeds. Zephaniah’s name means “Hidden by God.” The Lord speaks to Zephaniah of being hidden from His wrath against sin during the day of disaster.
“I will stretch out My hand against… those who have turned back from following the Lord, and have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him.” [1]
The Lord speaks of coming with a whip for the complacent people who say in their heart, “The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil.” Many years later, the Lord physically entered their temple with a whip and turned over their money tables. The Lord had told Zephaniah, “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath.” [2]
The Lord had a word for the meek doers of justice among them, “Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” [3] Stay the course! A new day is coming, but there’s some dark days to get through first.
The Lord warned the Palestinians for their sins against His people, “Gaza shall be forsaken… the word of the Lord is against you…” “This they shall have for their pride because they have reproached and made arrogant threats against the people of the Lord of hosts. The Lord will be awesome to them, for He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth; people shall worship Him, each one from his place, indeed all the shores of the nations.” [4]
Zephaniah detailed the deeds that compelled the Lord to act against people, “Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city! She has not obeyed His voice. She refused correction. She has not trusted in the Lord. She has not drawn near to her God.” “Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people.” They did not want to be like their Creator. Zephaniah detailed to them what the Lord is like. “The Lord is righteous in her midst. He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light. He never fails.” [5]
The end goal of the Lord’s actions is to bring about a change in the hearts of people. “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, the daughter of My dispersed ones, shall bring My offering.” [6] He will bring together people who love to worship Him in the beauty of holiness.
“For then I will take away from your midst those who rejoice in your pride, and you shall no longer be haughty in My holy mountain. I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.” [7] The remnant of God’s people shall reflect His values.
The Lord will bring about a day of singing, gladness and rejoicing for those who love Him. “Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!” “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” [8]
[1] Zephaniah 1:4, 6
[2] Zephaniah 1:11-12, 18; John 2:13-17
[3] Zephaniah 2:3
[4] Zephaniah 2:4-5; 10-11
[5] Zephaniah 3:1-2, 4-5
[6] Zephaniah 3:9-10
[7] Zephaniah 3:11-13
[8] Zephaniah 3:14, 17
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