Correction, Love, and Restoration – Zephaniah 2:1-3
Correction, Love, and Restoration – Zephaniah 2:1-3
The Prophet Zephaniah warns his fellow Israelites and neighboring nations of the coming judgment of the Lord. Zephaniah’s poetic work ties God’s justice and hope together promising the people of God correction, love, and restoration.
Timeline
Zephaniah was the Great-Great Grandson of King Hezekiah
He would have the third most royal blood in his veins behind King David and Solomon.
Final decades of the southern kingdom (see 2 Kings 22-23)
Northern Kingdom is Samaria
Southern Kingdom is Judah
King Josiah wanted to bring real change to the land by removing idols and worshiping God alone.
Israel was too far gone and King Josiah’s pride led him to die a tragic death on the battlefield. (see 2 Chron. 35: 20-25)
Zephaniah saw all of this coming.
Three Main Parts of Zephaniah:
Judgment on Jerusalem (1-2:3)
Judgment on Other Nations and Jerusalem Again… (2:4-3:8)
Hope for the Nations and Jerusalem (3:9-20)
Judgment on Jerusalem
“I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. Zephaniah 1:2-3
“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Genesis 1:3-4
“Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect —before the day passes away like chaff—before there comes upon you the burning anger of the Lord, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the Lord. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.” Zephaniah 2:1-3
Even if there is chaos, destruction, and death around, be faithful because God is faithful. He will never leave or abandon you.
Judgment on Other Nations and Jerusalem Again… (2:4-3:8)
For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod's people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the Lord is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left. Zephaniah 2:4-5
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27
‘“Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.” Zephaniah 3:8
Let our love for God match our character and actions in our home, our neighborhood, and place of work.
Hope for the Nations and Jerusalem (3:9-20)
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:17-20
Zephaniah contains very intense images of God's correction and Love.
Correction: A passion to rescue his world from human evil and violence.
He brings this correction to restore. In order to create a world where everyone can flourish in safety and peace because of his love.
“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5
“While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Spiritual Practice:
Are you living separated from God?
Does God recognize you?
Accept his Correction, Love and restoration.
Make disciples.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
