Zephaniah  1-3
Original Post:  August 13, 2014


Zephaniah prophecies doom for Judah and the surrounding area.   The reason for this is simple, the people in Jerusalem have forgotten God, and have worshiped idols instead.   The countries surrounding Judah have mocked God, and oppressed Judah, and all of Israel in the past.

This judgment is not because of something they have done recently, because recently they have been serving God under the direction of Josiah.   In fact, the penalty is not to be paid until after Josiah, the righteous king has passed away.

It is in Zephaniah we see the word to the very popular praise chorus "our God is mighty to save".

Here are a few of my thoughts based on this quick read...

1.  Godliness motivates God to hold off judgment.   If we as a people are righteous, then perhaps God will not bring about a disaster in our day.   However,  those who worship false gods, or who deny the Creator will have a day of recompense, and it cannot be avoided, save by repentance.

2.  Even when God wipes mankind from the face of the earth he leaves a remnant, and those who are left have been spared because they were humble.

3.  When God speaks of a judgment against His people, He also reminds them that He is willing and able to strengthen and bless them.   I am sure He does this to encourage them to be strong and faithful, so that they may inherit the blessings after the time of punishment has passed.   It tells me that God's character is one of love, not vengeance.    God will avenge, and He does become angry....but his truest  motivation toward us is one of love.

4.  When God brought punishment on other nations, He hoped that His people would apply the lesson to themselves and not go down the same path.   Sadly, they did not.    In some respects, the United States seems to be repeating history here.

5.  This passage seems as if parts of it could be applied to the great and final day of the Lord's judgment, rather than to the one that happened in the past.  For instance 3:15  "never again will you fear any harm" certainly hasn't come true yet.  

PR