Zephaniah: Search Me, O God

by NEELY, E. | Category: Minor Prophets? Major Issues! | Nov 2006

Zephaniah’s childhood survived Manasseh’s wicked reign; his ancestry linked him to the reigning godly king Josiah. He probably prophesied during Judah’s slight spiritual awakening before the destruction of Nineveh in 612BC. Hilkiah, the priest, had discovered a copy of the Law and a renewed enthusiasm for the keeping of the Passover ensued. Why then was a prophet of the judgement of the day of the LORD so necessary? Because an indifferent and half-hearted people refused to grasp the warnings inherent in the captivity of her sister Israel and the present opportunities for godliness; she refused to seek the LORD or His righteousness, she neglected to seek humility and to abolish the worship of idolatry! Linked with his message of impending judgement flows the comforting reminder that even in the throes of what will be universal judgement remain the covenant mercies of a loving God. He will restore His people in millennial splendour even in the midst of righteous wrath. These two major themes of the prophecy and the attendant opportunities for acceptable service should have spurred the nation on to spirituality, but apathy and lethargy consumed the people and ultimate captivity must result. The things written beforehand are also written for our learning!

The term ‘the day of the LORD’ is used more frequently in this book than in any other Old Testament prophecy. That day, though perhaps mirrored in the captivity that would befall Judah, is a day yet future, for it will not appear until the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (2 Thes.2:3ff). The Lord will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance. How dare you and I adopt the same ‘couch potato’ attitude as prevailed among God’s people Judah in Zephaniah’s day? There is a world around that is to be swept away, to be reduced to rubble, in Zephaniah’s words, and you and I hold the words of life and prosperity. ‘The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly … That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness …’ (1:14,15).

God is not indifferent to complacency. Zephaniah’s great-great-grandfather had warned a priestly people many years before: ‘My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense’ (2 Chr.29:11). Insipidness and stagnation, settling, ‘"like the dregs of wine"‘, complacency, are intolerable to God. ‘"So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth"‘ (Rev.3:16) was God’s up to the minute indictment of the nonchalant Laodicean church. Zephaniah 1:12 is current in its warning to the people of God.

God is neither inactive nor indifferent, either in judgement or in His willingness to search out and save. Running concurrent with Zephaniah’s warnings of desolation and doom is the theme of comfort, consolation and restoration. He will restore His people in the future. ‘"I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD … they shall feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid”‘ (3:12,13). Here, then, is the second compelling reason for Israel and all to serve Him. ‘Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men’ (2 Cor.5:11); ‘For the love of Christ compels us ...’ (2 Cor.5:14). Not only is judgement in righteousness assured, but also blessing in that same righteousness. The future holds great blessings for the nation that shall be ‘like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land’ (Zech.9:16), and even greater blessing for those who serve Him today. ‘Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever’ (Dan.12:3). And, ‘we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is’ (1 John 3:2).

Zephaniah means ‘Jah has treasured’. He treasures His righteousness; He treasures His Word; He treasures His people. Our treasure should be there also, and where it is, there will our hearts be also (Mat.6:21).

NEELY, E. | Nov 2006
Minor Prophets? Major Issues!