III. Judgment for the Nations and Jerusalem (Zephaniah 2:4–3:8)
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III. Judgment for the Nations and Jerusalem (2:4–3:8)
2:4-7 God the King’s judgment was straightforward for the nation of Philistia in general and for four of its cities in particular. There is a “you will be” edict for each city—abandoned for Gaza, ruin for Ashkelon, driven out for Ashdod (and at noon no less, so they better have their bags packed!), and uprooted for Ekron (2:4). The Philistines, longtime enemies of Israel, would soon be no more: I will destroy you until there is no one left (2:5). Their land would be given to the remnant of God’s people (2:7).
2:8-11 Because of their unrelenting taunting and insults against God’s people, Moab and the Ammonites will become like Sodom and Gomorrah (2:8-9). The mere mention of those two cities is enough to send chills down your spine in light of the judgment that God brought on them (see Gen 19:1-29). To oppose the Lord’s chosen people has always been a bad idea. All people will bow before him in the end (2:11; see Phil 2:10-11). Better to do it in the joy of salvation than in the terror of judgment.
2:12 The King’s message to the Cushites was short but not sweet: you will also be slain by my sword. Along with many other nations, they would be taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar in only a few years (see Jer 46:2, 9; Ezek 30:4-5).
2:13-15 Because Assyria took the ten tribes of the northern kingdom into captivity, they also receive a message of destruction. The Lord sends his message directly to the seat of Assyrian power, the city of Nineveh (2:13). It had thought to itself, I exist, and there is no one else (2:15), but this is God-talk reserved for the Lord alone (see Isa 46:9). When infinite power speaks to finite power, finite power loses the argument.
3:1-7 At this point, Zephaniah returns focus to Jerusalem, the rebellious . . . defiled . . . and oppressive city (3:1). In spite of God’s discipline, they haven’t repented (3:2). Instead, princes, prophets, and priests—all the civil and religious leaders—do harm to the people and know no shame. But the righteous Lord will not tolerate it (3:3-5). Jerusalem’s God had judged wicked nations before her eyes (3:6), which should have made her take notice and fear the Lord. Instead, her people became more corrupt (3:7).
3:8 In the end, God will gather nations and pour out [his] indignation on them, a reminder that a final day of the Lord is coming. The only way to escape his judgment is to trust in him for salvation.