Zephaniah 2:12-15

Judgment against Ethiopia and Assyria -- Zephaniah 2:12-15: The Ethiopians had also made light of God's people. They likewise would feel the vengeance of divine wrath. God completed His circle of Judgment by looking north to Assyria. He would make this once prosper nation desolate. It would be a fit habitation only of animals and birds. "The Lord will reach to the north to crush Assyria and overthrow Nineveh." Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. Nineveh had felt strong and secure. Assyria proves again that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18) The destruction would be so complete that only noisy ravens would be heard inside its buildings at night. The beautiful cedar would even be removed from the buildings. This sad description was given of Nineveh in Zephaniah 2:15, "This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand." Only the owls and raves would stand as sentinel in the watchtower overlooking this once great city. Zephaniah simply mentions the coming Judgment. He does not deal with the reasons for the Judgment because that was dealt with in detail by Amos, Isaiah and Nahum.