There was a precious family in a certain church in Kenya. Years ago, when the mother and the two young daughters were saved, they were returning home after baptismal service. They were rejoicing as they approached the door. All were singing. The father was a fearful demon-p … More
Repent
This section begins with a summons to “seek the Lord” before the day of judgment arrives. “Seeking” the Lord could refer either to desiring from Him a word of revelation (1:6) or to turning to Him in repentance. It is the opposite, then, of either indifference to the Lord or abandoning Him. Judah was guilty of both, and the Lord had consequently turned His face (or favor) from them.
The “shameless nation” (v. 1) is called on to assemble in repentance "before you are driven away like the drifting chaff” (v. 2,). The fate of the proud is sealed; but those who “seek righteousness, seek meekness” (humility) and have hope of escape “in the day of the Lord’s anger” (v. 3). Zephaniah broadens his message now to include Philistia (vv. 4-7), Moab and Ammon (vv. 8-11), Ethiopia (v. 12), and Assyria (vv. 13-15).
If we take “Ethiopians” (v. 12) to mean Egyptians, all these people had at some time or another been oppressors of Israel. Of Philistia it is said that she shall be destroyed and left with no inhabitant (v. 5). The people of Judah will occupy her coastal plain (v. 7). Moab and Ammon will be overthrown as completely as Sodom, and Gomorrah (v. 9). At this point the prophet anticipates the time when God will prove his superiority over idols “and men shall worship Him, every one from his place” (vv. 10-11). The fate of the Ethiopians (v. 12) is briefly stated. Assyria, represented by its capital, Nineveh (vv. 13-15), a place for beasts to lie down in!”
Application
Judah had been taunted and mocked by its neighboring nations of Moab and Ammon but God heard their insults. At times the whole world seems to mock God and those who have faith in Him. When I am ridiculed I need to remember that God hears and will answer. Eventually, in God’s timing, justice will be carried out. It is never my place to try to take up revenge but to let God handle it in His own timing and in His own way.
Zephaniah 2:1-15 (English Standard Version)
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Exhortation to Repent
Zephaniah 2:1–15
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
There was a precious family in a certain church in Kenya. Years ago, when the mother and the two young daughters were saved, they were returning home after baptismal service. They were rejoicing as they approached the door. All were singing. The father was a fearful demon-p … More
This section begins with a summons to “seek the Lord” before the day of judgment arrives. “Seeking” the Lord could refer either to desiring from Him a word of revelation (1:6) or to turning to Him in repentance. It is the opposite, then, of either indifference to the Lord or abandoning Him. Judah was guilty of both, and the Lord had consequently turned His face (or favor) from them.
The “shameless nation” (v. 1) is called on to assemble in repentance "before you are driven away like the drifting chaff” (v. 2,). The fate of the proud is sealed; but those who “seek righteousness, seek meekness” (humility) and have hope of escape “in the day of the Lord’s anger” (v. 3). Zephaniah broadens his message now to include Philistia (vv. 4-7), Moab and Ammon (vv. 8-11), Ethiopia (v. 12), and Assyria (vv. 13-15).
If we take “Ethiopians” (v. 12) to mean Egyptians, all these people had at some time or another been oppressors of Israel. Of Philistia it is said that she shall be destroyed and left with no inhabitant (v. 5). The people of Judah will occupy her coastal plain (v. 7). Moab and Ammon will be overthrown as completely as Sodom, and Gomorrah (v. 9). At this point the prophet anticipates the time when God will prove his superiority over idols “and men shall worship Him, every one from his place” (vv. 10-11). The fate of the Ethiopians (v. 12) is briefly stated. Assyria, represented by its capital, Nineveh (vv. 13-15), a place for beasts to lie down in!”
Application
Judah had been taunted and mocked by its neighboring nations of Moab and Ammon but God heard their insults. At times the whole world seems to mock God and those who have faith in Him. When I am ridiculed I need to remember that God hears and will answer. Eventually, in God’s timing, justice will be carried out. It is never my place to try to take up revenge but to let God handle it in His own timing and in His own way.
Zephaniah 2:1-15 (English Standard Version)
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