Questions for thought:
1. We hear today how God is a God of love. How does the prophecy recorded by Zephaniah show that He is also a God of vengeance?
2. Israel was being punished for not obeying the commands of the Lord. How is that similar to what happens today?
3. Why does God sometimes punish His followers who are straying?
We have just looked at Nahum’s prophecy where he told of the upcoming destruction of Nineveh. Zephaniah is similar to Nahum in his prophecy, except he deals with several nations surrounding Judah. Zephaniah appears to have been of royal descent being a descendant of King Hezekiah. Some scholars say he probably wrote during the end of Josiah’s reign which ended around 609 BC while others believe his prophecy was earlier and may have contributed to the improved state of Judah concerning idol worship. If historians are correct in their belief that Zephaniah prophesied in the later years of King Josiah, then Judah had gone from being covered in idolatrous practices into a reform where many of these practices had ceased, but Judah still had not removed all of Baal worship. God’s previous prophecies concerning her destruction were still in effect.
Zephaniah began his writing with strong words from the Lord. In 1:2-3, the Lord was again promising to destroy man and beast from off the face of the earth. In chapter 1 the prophet warned of the punishment that was forthcoming. He had words for those who continued to worship false gods. Apparently, there were those of that day just like today who were saying God is not going to do anything to us. Note in 1:12-13 the promise to those who were saying in their hearts the Lord was not going to do anything.
This coming of the Lord in vengeance was called the “great day of the Lord” in verse 14. Many times, in scripture such a phrase is referring to some huge calamity coming upon God’s people and not necessarily to the end of the world. In this case, it would be the captivity of Judah. Through the rest of chapter 1 that calamity is described.
In chapter 2 the people are again called to repentance as they have been in so many of the other prophecies. Zephaniah says in 2:3 for them to seek the Lord so they might be hidden in the day of His anger. Then beginning in verse 4 and continuing through chapter 2 pronouncements are made against Judah’s neighbors. They too will see and feel the wrath of God. (Since Nineveh is in this list, the prophecy of Zephaniah must have been before the destruction of Nineveh.)
In chapter 3 the Lord made it very clear as to why Jerusalem was to be punished. In verse 2 we read “she obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.” That is very similar to what we see today in God’s people who will not obey the words of the book, will not receive correction, will not trust in God, and will not draw near to God by doing what He has commanded. Then the prophet went on to condemn the other classes of people, the princes and judges and prophets in much the same way. They had refused God’s word and done violence to the law.
In 3:4-6 we read how the Lord who is just and does no iniquity brings judgment to light. He had punished in the past with the hope of people fearing and returning, but now it was becoming too late for a return. In verse 8 the coming destruction is sure, but just as in previous prophecies, the last part of the chapter shows there would be a remnant of Israel who continued to serve the lord (verse 13), and they would be blessed. Even thought they would be included in the upcoming captivity, they would prevail in the end (verses 19-20).
Just as in the previous prophecies, we see a God who wants to save. He is punishing His people out of love for them. He knows what they need to do and He is providing them time and opportunity to do such. If they continue in rebellion, being pure, He has no choice but to punish but even so, those who would come to their senses in Israel could be redeemed. The same is true for us today.
Next time, we will see what Habakkuk had to say.
Christian Women's Responsibility in Sharing God's Word 