Just before God unleashes His fury against Israel and Judah by bringing them into Babylonian captivity, God uses the prophet Zephaniah to preach to the hypocrites. Nobody likes a hypocrite - one who says one thing but does another.
This particular message was given during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah. You can read about those interesting days in 2 Kings 22-24. While there were numerous prophets in Israel and Judah at that time, Zephaniah's name is only mentioned once or twice. According to 2 Kings, he was a priest of the "2nd rank" (or one who was just below the high priest) and who served in Solomon's Temple.
Unfortunately for Zephaniah, he saw the best of times and the worst of times. When Josiah led the nation, he made sure God was first and foremost in the minds of the people. I'm sure Zephaniah loved it! It was like a spiritual revival during those days - kind of like a return to the old days like when King David was on the throne! God was loved and worshipped then!
But, the spiritual revival didn't last long. Soon after the death of king Josiah, the people began to rebel against God. With the revival winding down, many people were still worshipping God, but they were also beginning to worship the gods of the nations around them. This was when God called upon Zephaniah to preach to people begging them to repent and come back to Him.
Therefore, his preaching is primarily addressed to a people who were simply hypocrites. And God can't stand a hypocrite! Who can?
As we read today's passages, we immediately see in the first few verses the hypocrites God is calling judgment to.
1. To those who worship Him, as well as the false god Molech (1:5). Their allegiance was divided!
2. To those who used to worship God, but now they no longer was interested in Him (1:6)! They started off well, but ended in spiritual disaster.
3. To those who are ok with their sins and are indifferent to the Lord and His will (1:12).
Oh my! How many professing Christians do you know who fill these categories? Do you know of anyone who is only half-heartedly committed to the Lord? Do you know of any professing Christian who used to worship God but is no longer interested in the things of God? Or how about a professing Christian who lives a life of indifference about the things of God?
Zephaniah's message could be easily preached in many of our churches today! Our churches today are full of hypocrites - people who profess to love Jesus, but where the love of the world abounds more in them.
God Provides An Escape!
I'm often amazed at how merciful God is! As we get into chapter 2, we read how God begs the people to turn to Him so that He can protect them from the judgment that's to come. Listen to what He says here in 2:2:1-3 -
"Gather together—yes, gather together,
you shameless nation.
2 Gather before judgment begins,
before your time to repent is blown away like chaff.
Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls
and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins.
3 Seek the Lord, all who are humble,
and follow his commands.
Seek to do what is right
and to live humbly.
Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you—
protect you from his anger on that day of destruction."
But what did the people do? Did they repent? No! They did what people do today...they ignore God's warnings!
Not only is Zephaniah's prophecy against the nation of Israel and Judah, but against all of the nations surrounding them who've been found guilty of worshipping false gods.
Why is God casting judgment? The reason is found in 2:11 - "The Lord will terrify them as he destroys all the gods in the land. Then nations around the world will worship the Lord, each in their own land."
God is wiping the slate clean! He's starting over. He wants the world to know and worship Him!
In chapter 3, God points out certain people who are to blame for the spiritual corruption...
- The nation's leaders - arrogantly seeking self gain!
- The nation's judges - for their injustice!
- The nation's prophets - many who seek personal gain for their prophecies!
- The nation's priests - who have defiled God's Holy Temple with their sinfulness!
In 3:8-13, God tells of the future millennial reign of His Son, Jesus Christ. It will be a time when God destroys His enemies and sets up His Kingdom on Earth.
In those days, God says that pride will no longer abound! People will walk humbly before God and before each other.
Wow! What a day that will be, when at last Jesus we will see. He will rule and reign forever!
If you're life is indifferent to the Lord or you feel you're living a life of hypocrisy...stop! Return to the Lord! Give Him your whole heart before it's too late!!!
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