Zephaniah 1:14-2:3

Judah and Jerusalem are in deep trouble.  Their idolatry and covetousness (the covetous man IS an idolater, Eph. 5:5) is bringing upon them the day of the LORD.  (Jeremiah saw the same thing, prophesying about the same time in Israel’s history, Jer. 6:13).  There have been judgments from God in the past in the form of pestilence and famine and loss of life at the hands of Israel’s enemies.  But these will be seen as minor compared to the great day of the LORD that is coming.  Meditate on the fearfulness of that day as depicted in v14-16. 

Then consider two further thoughts about that day.

·        It will bring great personal distress on men (v17).  There will be affliction with deep pain and there will be no way out.  That is the sense of this word.  And do not think that God is being painted as an angry or loveless Sovereign.  The passage is clear: it is because they have sinned against the LORD. 

·        It was inevitable, impossible to avoid (v18).  This was what we learn from 2 Kings 23:26-27.  Even the great revival under Josiah would not stay the LORD’s hand but for the lifetime of Josiah.

Jeremiah said: Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense, says the LORD (Jer. 3:10).  This is why Zephaniah could point out the great sin of the people in a time when there appeared to be revival.

Thus the prophet calls the nation to repentance.  Those in idolatry must first seek the LORD.  The meek (2:3, the poor and needy) are the ones most likely to hear and obey this call.  And they are also called to seek righteousness, seek humility.  This search is not just an intellectual quest to answer questions and find logical reasons to follow God.  It is ordering one’s desires and longings so that they no longer seek happiness in materialism but in God alone.  This search will always lead us to the word of the LORD.

Meditate on Isa. 55:6-7.  This is where the seeking of the LORD must lead us.

⁶ Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.