9 April 2020
I thought I would use what I’ve learned from a recent reading of the book of Zephaniah to seek to encourage us today, albeit there is only space here to share a few key verses.
The northern kingdom of Israel had already been exiled in 722 b.c., so Zephaniah’s message was directed to the southern kingdom of Judah. Although good king Josiah was reigning (640–609 b.c.), Judah’s officials,
priests and people persisted in idolatry (1v4-8). So “The word of the Lord … came to Zephaniah” (1v1) predicting a coming “day of the Lord”. This “day” would bring God’s just judgement on the sin of Judah and the pride of the
surrounding nations (2v4-15), but also there would be a future “day” ofblessing for God’s people and to the nations through them (3v9-10).
I have not selected Zephaniah in order to draw a direct link between the judgement he prophesied and our current global pandemic. That said, Zephaniah’s words continue to be relevant, challenging and encouraging in
our times also, because a final day of the Lord is in all our futures.
The following verses called Zephaniah’s first hearers to respond before the day of God’s judgement arrived (repentance was still possible) and they also show us the right response for every human today, before the final day of the Lord arrives.
1v7 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near.
2v1 Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation, 2 before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you. 3 Seek the Lord, all you humbleof the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.
Because of its sin, Judah could expect judgement ahead. But God in his faithfulness would purify his people, not abandon them. In the final chapter, Zephaniah points his hearers to a time of blessing when the faithful would
humbly trust in the Lord, grazing (ESV) and lying down like sheep in safety:
3v11 On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. 12 But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord. 13 They will do no wrong; they willtell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid. ”
Zephaniah’s first hearers were pointed beyond their imminent judgement to a day when God himself would be with his people, to save them, gather them and restore their fortunes. Here are the final verses of the book:
14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with allyour heart, Daughter Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” 18 “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. 19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. 20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the Lord.
At Easter, we remember especially that “the Lord, the King of Israel” was indeed with us. A century after Zephaniah, another prophet would predict: Zechariah 9v9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter
Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. … He will proclaim peace to the nations.
Ultimately Jesus is the reason why Zephaniah could say: 3v16 “…Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
King Jesus was the only one who could save his people and so he came as a mighty warrior to defeat sin and death. Now, all those who place their trust in Jesus have much to rejoice about and ultimately nothing to fear.
Richard Williams
