Zephaniah 2 - Introduction

God's Wrath Coming Upon The Nations

Zephaniah Two

Zephaniah called upon his people to repent before the Day of the Lord came upon them. The people had become callused to evil and they had lost all sense of shame. Continuation in sin brings you to the point where you do not even blush at sin. Jeremiah 8:12 says, "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD." It was not too late for God's people if they would (1) Humbly obey the LORD, (2) Come and worship Him, and (3) Do right and be humble. Those that turn to the Lord will be hidden from His wrath. Zephaniah had total respect for the sovereignty of God. He believed that if the people would repent and seek the Lord that "it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger."

God also pronounced sure and certain judgment upon the heathen nations that had rejected Him. In a graphic way God's judgment against the nations that surrounded His people was set forth. Located to the west was the Philistine. They would face God's wrath. Moab and Ammon were to the east. They were as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah and would therefore receive severe punishment. Ethiopia to the south would also be destroyed. Assyria to the north would soon to be destroyed. All nations will be judged by how they have responded to God's people and to God's commandments.