Zephaniah 1:14-2:15 |
We have a fair chunk to do this evening in our second study in Zephaniah. A birds-eye-view of this section gives us quite a breathtaking insight into the character of God-for example, in 2:10 he is the Lord Almighty, and in 2:11 he is the awesome Lord. He is powerful and peerless! A God who is unrivalled in his person, a God who is untouchable in his ability.
When I think of God's attributes, two words spring to mind: justice and judgment. Those are two divine traits that most folks are inclined to put on the back burner-here is a God who always does what is right, and a God who deals with men and nations who turn their backs on him-we see that in 2:10 where we read: This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the Lord Almighty. In that sense, God does what he does because he is who he is.
There's a couple of other factors well worth noting, to use a football analogy: one, God never takes his eye off the ball; and, two, he never moves the goalposts. That says something about God-it means he has a game plan and he sticks to it. He's a God who covers every eventuality; the fact is that nothing takes him by surprise. He's an all-knowing God, a God who never has a new thought. Yes, he responds to situations as and when they arise, but he doesn't make his policy on the hoof!
He's also a God who plays fair-he plays by the rules, i.e. his rules. When he deals with men and nations, God doesn't act capriciously, he's not impulsive or quirky, it's not a spur-of-the-moment knee-jerk reaction, he doesn't target people just for the fun of it-in all he does, a thread of mercy and grace is still evident. The possibility of a way back has not been withdrawn, he may have slammed the door, but he hasn't thrown away the key. We see faint hints of that in 2:3b where we read: perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.
As we work our way through this section, we'll see echoes of that from time to time. They're like stars shining on an inky black night. It brings cheer in the midst of impenetrable gloom, it tells me there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, it's bad, it's rough out there, but still there's hope!
From time to time, the prophet refers to the remnant and to the survivors (2:9). You'll notice it is always in relation to those he calls my nation or my people-that is a cryptic reference to the ancient people of God in the nation of Israel. That idea is reinforced when God refers to himself in 2:9 as the God of Israel. That means he is a God who keeps his word, he's a God who stands by his covenant-when God makes a promise, he always delivers the goods. He doesn't backtrack on any commitment that he makes.
It's all about relationship-right here, it's plain to see that, in spite of their waywardness, God still sees them as his own people. That says a lot about God's patience, God's mercy, and God's faithfulness.
It's important that we also keep in mind what I mentioned last week-Zephaniah's prophecy had a partial fulfilment in his day: the enemy did come, and the nations did present quite a challenge to the holiness of God, God dealt with them severely, he routed them, and they were left to lick their wounds. It's all there in the chapter and the history books confirm it.
There is also the long-term aspect to it for the day of the Lord is a specific reference to endtime events-most prophetic pundits call it the Tribulation, it's a period of seven years when all hell is let loose, an era which is climaxed with the second coming of Christ in power and great glory. That 'great and terrible day' (as Joel called it) is ushered in after the trumpet has sounded and the saints are called home to glory. For those who know the Lord, the best is yet to be-for those who don't know Christ as Lord and Saviour, the worst is yet to come.
That is the major focus of verses 14-18. These verses leave us in a tailspin, the language is apocalyptic, the outlook is grim. I read these verses and I see no reason to be optimistic as to the future of planet earth-it is destined for global upheaval and its peoples are pilloried by a God who is settling old scores, a God who is determined to teach man one final lesson. A quick read and you're left feeling despondent, it sends the shivers down the spine. If it does nothing else, it's a visual reminder of the phenomenal power and ability of God.
The scene is one of absolute disarray-utter chaos, blind confusion, and unbelievable carnage-it's a trail of destruction for God is on the warpath, he wreaks havoc on this old world. I like to view it from a different angle for it instils confidence in us, as the Lord's people, that God will ultimately triumph-it proves, if proof were needed, that God runs the show from start to finish. It gives us a fascinating glimpse into the sovereignty of God in the affairs of man. God rules and overrules!
The day of the Lord isn't any old day-we're not talking here about a Monday or a Tuesday; it's an event, an epoch, it's a specific time frame when God is doing something special and unique in the world.
The prophet describes it in verse 14 as great-that implies it stands out as a day that is different to all others; it's great, not in the sense that this is a moment to relish and enjoy, but 'great' because of the horrendous happenings on that day. It's one of those days that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. A day to remember, yes; but also a day to forget!
The closeness of that day is spelt out vividly by the prophet, he says it is near. In fact, he makes his point when he says it two times, he brings a sense of urgency to the proceedings, it's a wake-up call to the people of planet earth. The day is coming and it's coming quickly. In other words, don't be lulled into a false sense of security. According to Paul, it will come like 'a thief in the night'. OK, it hasn't happened yet, but don't let that fool you. It's coming! And each hour is one hour closer.
When it comes, God will wipe the smile off people's faces, for the cry . will be bitter. There's going to be a lot of grief and anger when that day comes. A lot of emotion, frustration, and angst. It's a time when people won't know what to do and they'll run around like headless chickens-see verse 17. Hard cash will count for nothing in that day, it's what the insurers call an 'act of God'. They can't buy themselves a safe passage, there's no escaping the holocaust, there's no way out! They can run, but they can't hide for God's roving eye misses nothing and no one!
This is the day of the Lord's wrath in verse 18. Scary stuff! I tell you, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. This is serious. A look at verse 15 says all that needs to be said-it's colourful, expressive language but it leaves us in no doubt that this world is in for a rough ride.
It's not a case of Zephaniah wanting to fill column inches in his book, it's not a matter of him running short on something to say so he gets out his trusty old thesaurus to say the same thing in half-a-dozen ways! It's not quite like that at all! This man is under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and, so what, if he says the same thing in a handful of ways. There are times when we don't get the message first time around, so it has to be said over and over again.
Look at the words: wrath . distress . anguish . trouble . ruin . darkness . gloom . clouds . blackness. I think the message is clear: there are dark days ahead for planet earth. Trouble is brewing on the horizon, we hear the sound of distant drums. Jesus, the Warrior-King, is on his way back and, when he comes, we read in verse 18 that in the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed.
Say what you like, but that spells judgment, it speaks of doom and gloom. It tells me that God will do what it takes to guard his integrity, and protect the honour of his name. When God acts, he'll do so, not because he's blown his top, and not because he's lost it, but because there is no alternative open to him-he's a jealous God. His glory is at stake! When the Lord acts in judgment, it's swift, it's decisive, it's a killer punch: see verse 18 where we read that he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth. You can read more about this in Matthew 24 and in that great centre section of the book of Revelation.
I reckon that one message emerges from this awful period of intense retribution, and it is this: God sits on the throne. The Lord is king-he knows how to look after his own and, by the same token, he knows how to handle those who spurn his love and ride roughshod over his laws.
It's almost as if the Lord throws out an olive branch to the people in 2:1-3. At the same time, he doesn't go softly-softly. He doesn't mince his words when he labels them for what they really are-they are a shameful nation; he doesn't tone down his stern language when he faces them with the consequences of their actions-they will be blown away for that day sweeps on like chaff is the precise phrase he used; Zephaniah doesn't dilute the character of God when he refers to the fierce anger of the Lord and the Lord's wrath in almost the same breath-here is a God who is really hot under the collar. God isn't playing mind-games with these folks. This is strong, alarming, stuff.
The Lord pleads with them one more time, one final time. He's giving them a last chance. This is it! That really says something about God's marvellous grace. The day is marked in the divine schedule, according to verse 2, it is an appointed time. Yes, the date is already circled in God's diary-it won't be postponed, and it certainly won't be cancelled! There is no plan B.
That's why the Lord implores them to seek him in verse 3. If they seek the Lord, seek righteousness, [and] seek humility it is apparent from verse 3 that they will be spared the full rigours of the harshness of God's judgment. We read that they will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger-in other words, the Lord will somehow envelop them in his protecting hand. They will find shelter under the umbrella of God's mercy and grace. He will supernaturally shadow them in the eye of the storm. I can't explain it, and I don't know how he'll do it, but that's the line the prophet takes. That's fine with me, we don't have to know all the details. We can trust God to deal with the small print, it's no problem to him.
The next big section runs from verse 4 through to verse 15. It's a catalogue of what God will do to the nations round about Israel-Philistia, Moab and Ammon, Cush, and Assyria. Their days are numbered, their future is bleak. Again, it's all because they did their own thing and rejected the word of God. Every one of them embraced a way of life that was alien to the truth of Scripture, all of them deliberately set a course of action that was diametrically opposed to the law of God. Basically, we know from verse 11 that they were into idolatry big time and, allied to that, they gave God's people a terrible time by insulting and mocking them, we see that in verses 8 and 10.
These people groups get their comeuppance. They thought they would get off Scot-free. They reckoned they could treat the Lord's people whatever way they liked but, now, they're finding out, it doesn't work that way! The Lord will let them go so far and no further-there comes a point where the Lord draws a line in the sand and says: 'enough is enough'. Again, it's the name of the Lord that is at stake-it's his honour that is being dragged through the mud. There's no way that he will tolerate that, he just won't stand for it! So they pay the price. And it's a high price at that.
The words that Zephaniah uses are so descriptive; I mean, this guy is unbelievable when it comes to language. Take a look at verse 4: Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon left in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be emptied and Ekron uprooted. Not particularly promising, is it-it tells me these places don't have a bright and rosy future! They're for the chop! When the Lord strikes in judgment, there won't be much left. They don't stand much of a chance for the prophet tells us that the word of the Lord is against them! When God is against you, you're on a hiding to nothing, you're on your last legs.
It's obvious that some of these nations were guilty of taking God's people to the cleaners, they were rogue states. They had an eye on the assets of the Promised Land, they made all kinds of threats in an attempt to unnerve the locals. They wanted to get their hands on the good things of Canaan so they verbally abused the people of God-they called them all kinds of names and taunted them from sun-up to sun-down.
Well, their decline is spelt out so dramatically by Zephaniah - he uses phrases like I will destroy you and none will be left in verse 5; they will end up like Sodom and Gomorrah, a place of weeds and salt pits, a wasteland for ever in verse 9; in one fell swoop, the Lord will eradicate all the gods of the land in verse 11; one group, the Cushites, will be decimated when they are slain by [his] sword in verse 12; Nineveh will be wiped off the map and left as dry as the desert in verse 13. See what I mean, when God moves in judgment, it's pretty comprehensive, there are not too many stones left standing.
Some of these places felt they were immune from a divine intrusion into their affairs-they were smug, complacent, and arrogant. Nineveh is one such example in verse 15-they had a reputation as a carefree city that lived in safety. They felt they were the greatest attraction in the region, the place to be, and the place to be seen to be. Location, location, location-it was the most desirable place on planet earth, in their eyes. Well, when the hand of the Lord touches them, there ain't much for them to shout about-there's nothing much left but rubble and ruin. The place is razed to the ground. There's a hollowness in it all, there's an eerie sound from the screeching owls in empty buildings, there's a haunting echo. The fact is, the higher they are the further and the harder they fall. You can't shake your fist in God's face and expect to get off lightly.
Men will know that something big has happened-they will be all too aware that someone greater than them has intervened, someone has vented his indignation against them in such a way that they are left gobsmacked. There's a sense of bewilderment and a palpable feeling of abandonment in their lives. For them, this is the 'big one'-the day when God struck back! That's a message we need to get across in today's world-the Lord is king, God is still on the throne but, one day, he's coming back to judge the world.
Let me finish off this evening on a more upbeat note. The dark clouds are there, no doubt about that-but there's always a silver lining. And behind the darkest cloud, the sun still shines. I can't help but see a tender touch to this section in Zephaniah, we have to look hard to find it, but it's there-I spoke earlier of the shelter of the Lord in verse 3-if you look down at verses 6 and 7, there is something else worth marking in your Bible. It is a picture of rest and contentment in the place where God puts his people-they are the remnant, they're the ones the Lord has a special interest in, he looks after them, he meets their needs.
I love the promise where it says that the Lord their God will care for them, he will restore their fortunes. That tells me the Lord isn't in the business of short-changing his people, it does not matter how tough it is, the Lord compensates us with lavish portions of his amazing grace. We have a sense that the Lord is with us, he will care for us, he will restore his people. That's a ministry that our God specialises in-he picks us up when we are down, he mends broken hearts, he heals fractured lives, he revives, he restores, he rejuvenates. None of us are beyond his reach and none of us are beyond his grace. As the song says: it reaches me!
What a chapter! Judgment is inevitable, Jesus is invincible!
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