Context for Zephaniah 2:1-3:7
God’s judgment extends beyond just Jerusalem and Judah, ultimately to all people. It is God’s will that all people conform themselves to His will, and failure to do so ultimately brings His wrath.
Many people tire of reading the Old Testament, especially the prophets, because of the constantly depressing message of God’s judgment. Of course, that evaluation of the message misses the constant promise of God’s redemption for those who listen, but the message of judgment is unmistakable and difficult.
That message is also there for us as a reminder that our walk of faith is not easy. Far too quickly, we can find ourselves under assault by the devil, the world, and our own sinfulness, each one eager to rip away from us God’s free gift of grace. God’s message of judgment to the faithful is to watch out so that we do not become guilty of the same sin that so many before us have.
While God’s message of judgment is difficult, it is also cleansing, as it allows us to look at our lives honestly by the measure God will use. God’s message of judgment is not one of conforming to some arbitrary behavior, but one of conforming to faith in Him and in the righteousness that comes by that faith. By using that message of judgment as our guide, we are driven closer to God through the Word and the Sacraments to the strengthening of our faith and the realization of our promise of Heaven.
-=DLH=-
