It's been a while since we looked at Zephaniah, but today's section looks forward to that time when sin and the shame of that sin are removed from the people of God. Since Adam and Eve first rebelled, our sinful actions have been accompanied by a sense of shame. We know that we're doing wrong, and are ashamed at our actions. For Adam and Eve, it was hiding from God when they realised they were naked.
So how can we remove the shame that we rightly feel at what we have done? Is there some magic formula for shame-removal? Some daily prescription to take and work the shame away? Not quite. Rather, with the removal of our sin by God himself (as finally occurred at the cross of the Lord Jesus), Zephaniah looks forward to when the rebellious are themselves removed.
"On that day you shall not be put to shame
because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty
in my holy mountain." (Zeph 3:11)
The remedy for rebellion is the removal of the stubbornly rebellious, and the exchange of haughtiness for humility. Instead of the haughty, the proud ones, the LORD will leave the humble and lowly in Israel. And what is the mark of being lowly and humble?
'They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD, those who are left in Israel.' (Zeph 3:12)
That is, rather than depending on yourself for what you need and for your deliverance, the humble trust in the LORD, fleeing to him for refuge and shelter. But Zephaniah goes further. Not only do these humble, the properly shameless, trust in the LORD, this dependence issues in their changed lives.
Rather than pursuing their own agenda and own interests, by whatever means, the humble instead are marked by no injustice, no lies and no deceitful tongue. How we deal with others is so completely changed when we come to the LORD for salvation. Yet I'm only too aware that I'm a work in progress. That I'm by no means perfect - and to spend any time in a church family, you'll soon realise that we aren't finished yet. God has promised this through Zephaniah, and we come to realise that this is a picture of the redeemed community in glory, when sin has been banished forever.
When we do encounter hurtful experiences in church, we are driven to pray all the more for the day to come soon when sin is finished with, and we do enjoy this perfect community, when we will (in the words of verse 13) graze and lie down, and none shall make us afraid - a picture of peace, safety and security.
So which group of people are part of? The shameful, those who are haughty and proud in your rebellion against God; or the to-be shameless, trusting in the LORD for refuge, preparing for this sinless eternity with the people of God?
For those who will trust, the promise is sure. No fear. No shame.
Showing posts with label Zephaniah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zephaniah. Show all posts
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Pure Speech
So far in our protracted series in Zephaniah, we've seen one element of the Day of the Lord - the judgement of all people. Yet the Day of the Lord also means the salvation of God's people.
The book of Zephaniah has so far concentrated on the judgement, both of Jerusalem and the nations. The closing section of chapter 3 brings an amazing picture of restoration and salvation. Amazing, because God's salvation is not just for Jerusalem and Israel, but for people from every nation!
In the week after Pentecost Sunday, it's maybe a very appropriate time to think about the ingathering of the nations:
9 "For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering."
Remember back in Genesis 11, with the building of the first sky-scraper, the Tower of Babel? The people had tried to make a name for themselves by building the tower to reach heaven. God cursed their work, and the curse was in the form of the confusion of their language. Suddenly the workers couldn't make head nor tail of what each other was saying. The building work ceased, and the peoples dispersed, the nations separated, each with their own tongue and language.
God promises that in the end, in the day of the Lord, that curse will be overturned and reversed, that all will speak a pure speech so they can call on the name of the Lord and be saved. It's not that everyone speaks Hebrew (thankfully) - but as we see in the fulfillment of the promise, God speaks everyone's language! In Acts 2 we see the effects of the outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit, as the apostles and others are empowered to proclaim the 'mighty works of God' (Acts 2:11) in a variety of languages. So many call upon the Lord that day that around 3000 are baptised!
This spreading of the good news continues to this day, as Bible translators continue to work to reach languages which don't currently have the Scriptures. Indeed, probably most of us reading this are included among the Gentiles, the foreign people brought near in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be a blessing to the nations.
In Revelation we see the completion of this promise, in the 'great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes' together worshipping the Lord. There's no room for racism in the church - Jesus' salvation is for all nations and all peoples. We must reach the unreached and proclaim the mighty works of God to every nation. Are you reaching your own people group? Will you reach another nation? We must
go!
The book of Zephaniah has so far concentrated on the judgement, both of Jerusalem and the nations. The closing section of chapter 3 brings an amazing picture of restoration and salvation. Amazing, because God's salvation is not just for Jerusalem and Israel, but for people from every nation!
In the week after Pentecost Sunday, it's maybe a very appropriate time to think about the ingathering of the nations:
9 "For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering."
Remember back in Genesis 11, with the building of the first sky-scraper, the Tower of Babel? The people had tried to make a name for themselves by building the tower to reach heaven. God cursed their work, and the curse was in the form of the confusion of their language. Suddenly the workers couldn't make head nor tail of what each other was saying. The building work ceased, and the peoples dispersed, the nations separated, each with their own tongue and language.
God promises that in the end, in the day of the Lord, that curse will be overturned and reversed, that all will speak a pure speech so they can call on the name of the Lord and be saved. It's not that everyone speaks Hebrew (thankfully) - but as we see in the fulfillment of the promise, God speaks everyone's language! In Acts 2 we see the effects of the outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit, as the apostles and others are empowered to proclaim the 'mighty works of God' (Acts 2:11) in a variety of languages. So many call upon the Lord that day that around 3000 are baptised!
This spreading of the good news continues to this day, as Bible translators continue to work to reach languages which don't currently have the Scriptures. Indeed, probably most of us reading this are included among the Gentiles, the foreign people brought near in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be a blessing to the nations.
In Revelation we see the completion of this promise, in the 'great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes' together worshipping the Lord. There's no room for racism in the church - Jesus' salvation is for all nations and all peoples. We must reach the unreached and proclaim the mighty works of God to every nation. Are you reaching your own people group? Will you reach another nation? We must
go!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Correction or Corruption?
The LORD is 'patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.' So writes the apostle Peter in his second letter. We see that being played out in our next chunk of Zephaniah, as God comes to the end of his gracious restraint and decrees final judgement.
Last time, you may recall, we noticed that the problem of Jerusalem was particularly fierce - the righteous LORD was in the midst of her, but she was unjust, violent, being led astray by the awful leaders. It turns out that throughout Jerusalem's history, God has been providing foretastes of the final judgement. God has been destroying other cities, judging other nations, as a warning to rebellious Jerusalem what will also come to it, but they have been paying no attention.
'I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant.' (3:6)
As Jerusalem surveys its surroundings and looks at the near nations, it can see what happens to the evil and unjust. It knows that God punishes sin - but fails to make the connection with their own sin. It's almost as if others are punished so that Jerusalem wakes up and repents, but to no avail.
'Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you. But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.' (3:7)
God offered correction, discipline to bring them to their senses so that they would repent. The people instead chose corruption - even more evil than before. Hebrews 12 speaks of the discipline of the Lord, how it is not pleasant, and yet is for our good, to make us more like our older brother, Jesus.
Yet how we receive that correction from the Lord depends on our heart attitude - will we be bitter and turn to more corruption which leads to condemnation; or will we receive the correction and turn in repentance?
Jerusalem was making its choice, and turned away. Rather than be corrected and restored, Jerusalem chose to align itself with the surrounding nations, and would end up being consumed in the final fury of God's wrath (3:8). The choice is open to us - correction or corruption?
Last time, you may recall, we noticed that the problem of Jerusalem was particularly fierce - the righteous LORD was in the midst of her, but she was unjust, violent, being led astray by the awful leaders. It turns out that throughout Jerusalem's history, God has been providing foretastes of the final judgement. God has been destroying other cities, judging other nations, as a warning to rebellious Jerusalem what will also come to it, but they have been paying no attention.
'I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant.' (3:6)
As Jerusalem surveys its surroundings and looks at the near nations, it can see what happens to the evil and unjust. It knows that God punishes sin - but fails to make the connection with their own sin. It's almost as if others are punished so that Jerusalem wakes up and repents, but to no avail.
'Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you. But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.' (3:7)
God offered correction, discipline to bring them to their senses so that they would repent. The people instead chose corruption - even more evil than before. Hebrews 12 speaks of the discipline of the Lord, how it is not pleasant, and yet is for our good, to make us more like our older brother, Jesus.
Yet how we receive that correction from the Lord depends on our heart attitude - will we be bitter and turn to more corruption which leads to condemnation; or will we receive the correction and turn in repentance?
Jerusalem was making its choice, and turned away. Rather than be corrected and restored, Jerusalem chose to align itself with the surrounding nations, and would end up being consumed in the final fury of God's wrath (3:8). The choice is open to us - correction or corruption?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Lame Leaders
While Zephaniah is a short book, throughout it, the warning of God's judgement is clear, and the reason is obvious - God's people and the whole world is failing to be and do what they should be doing. Even when we get to the third and final chapter, judgement is still the prevailing theme, right up until verse 9, when there is a dramatic change (and a wonderful surprise) - but that comes another day.
It's said that it is bad enough for a child to do something wrong - if it doesn't know any better. Much worse, however for an adult to do the same thing wrong, when they definitely know better. In this hierarchy of blame and shame, there are levels of responsibility.
It's what we see in Zephaniah too. The whole world stands condemned - Judah's enemies will face judgement. Yet as we begin chapter 3, it's clear that Jerusalem is facing judgement too - perhaps even more severe, since it should have known better. Jerusalem is the city that 'does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God' (2). This is the very city of the dwelling place of the LORD, yet its people have failed, terribly so.
At the highest level of blame, though, we find the leaders of the people. In quick succession, Zephaniah declares the Lord's verdict on the leaders of his people: 'Her officials are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.' (3-4)
What a disaster - the very leaders of God's people are leading them astray, disregarding and breaking the very law they should be teaching and upholding. Especially since the contrast is immediately provided - the LORD within her 'is righteous, he does not injustice.'
It is clear that leaders are particularly responsible for their conduct and behaviour - but that doesn't let everyone else off the hook! Judgement was coming, not just because of the leaders, but because of the sins of everyone.
Yet these words addressed to the leaders of God's people are particularly apt to ask of today's leaders. Are we leading people home, or to destruction? Are we devouring God's people? Are we fickle and treacherous? Do we profane what is holy and do violence to God's law?
Little wonder James should say that not many should become teachers, because we will be judged with greater strictness (3:1). Please do be praying for your church leaders - for faithfulness, humility, grace, and dedication.
It's said that it is bad enough for a child to do something wrong - if it doesn't know any better. Much worse, however for an adult to do the same thing wrong, when they definitely know better. In this hierarchy of blame and shame, there are levels of responsibility.
It's what we see in Zephaniah too. The whole world stands condemned - Judah's enemies will face judgement. Yet as we begin chapter 3, it's clear that Jerusalem is facing judgement too - perhaps even more severe, since it should have known better. Jerusalem is the city that 'does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God' (2). This is the very city of the dwelling place of the LORD, yet its people have failed, terribly so.
At the highest level of blame, though, we find the leaders of the people. In quick succession, Zephaniah declares the Lord's verdict on the leaders of his people: 'Her officials are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.' (3-4)
What a disaster - the very leaders of God's people are leading them astray, disregarding and breaking the very law they should be teaching and upholding. Especially since the contrast is immediately provided - the LORD within her 'is righteous, he does not injustice.'
It is clear that leaders are particularly responsible for their conduct and behaviour - but that doesn't let everyone else off the hook! Judgement was coming, not just because of the leaders, but because of the sins of everyone.
Yet these words addressed to the leaders of God's people are particularly apt to ask of today's leaders. Are we leading people home, or to destruction? Are we devouring God's people? Are we fickle and treacherous? Do we profane what is holy and do violence to God's law?
Little wonder James should say that not many should become teachers, because we will be judged with greater strictness (3:1). Please do be praying for your church leaders - for faithfulness, humility, grace, and dedication.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Wasteland World
Total Wipeout. Zephaniah is continuing to declare the word of the LORD, and his sights are now turned on the surrounding nations. So far, judgement is promised on Jerusalem, but with hints of world devastation. In the rest of chapter 2, Zephaniah declares God's judgement on Judah's enemies.
The Philistines (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron), the Cherethites, the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Cushites, and Assyria - south to north, west to east, God's judgement is coming, and the peoples will be wiped out and the land laid waste.
Again, it's a scene of apocalyptic proportions, with the lands becoming deserted, desolate, and destroyed. Moab and Ammon will even end up like Sodom and Gomorrah, nettles and salt pits. Why will all this happen?
Zephaniah gives three reasons. First of all, there's the sin of idolatry - the nations have been worshipping false idols, bowing down to their own gods. Gods who, elsewhere are described as blocks of wood, deaf, dumb, mute, powerless and useless.
'The LORD will be awesome against them; for he will famish all the gods of the earth, and to him shall bow down, each in its place, all the lands of the nations.' (11)
All the praise given to those idol gods will be removed from them - they will be famished, starved of attention and praise - and every knee will bow and praise the LORD, the one, true and living God. It reminds us of Philippians 2 - how one day every knee will bow - that of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and of everyone else - and all tongues will praise King Jesus.
Secondly, the nations have indulged in pride. This was particularly the case with Nineveh, that great city of the Assyrians (who had conquered the kingdom of Israel). Having conquered, Nineveh said to herself that "I am, and there is no one else." Nineveh prided itself in its security and prosperity, but that security will come to an end when the LORD acts against the city.
Thirdly, the nations were taunting and reviling God's people. This was particularly the case with Moab and the Ammonites. They eyed up the promised land, and boasted that they would take it. They harrassed and hassled the people of God. They made life difficult for the people of the covenant.
God's response is to make their lands desolate, like Sodom and Gomorrah. Indeed, more than that - while judgement falls on the nations, God promises that there will be a 'remnant of my people'. That the LORD has not broken his covenant love with his people, even though they will be punished for their own rebellion. The remnant of the people will possess the seacoast, will inhabit the houses of Ashkelon.
Indeed, even while the LORD is disciplining us, even while the rod is being wielded, there is the promise of restoration:
For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes. (7)
God will not forget his promises, and will therefore restore the fortunes of his people. In the aftermath of Zephaniah's time, it was primarily seen in the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and Judah. God had not abandoned his people or forgotten his promise. With us, we have seen the raising of Jesus, the fortunes restored, and the great hope that is now certain and ours through the resurrection.
God will discipline us, chastening us - but it is for our good and our growth, making us more like Jesus. (Hebrews 12:3-13). Ultimately, Zephaniah 2 points us to the ultimate day of the Lord, when sin will be dealt with, and the rebels will be consigned to hell, and the people of God, that full remnant, will inherit and inhabit the new heavens and the new earth. No longer will God's people face opposition and persecution, because sin and sorrow will be no more. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
The Philistines (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron), the Cherethites, the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Cushites, and Assyria - south to north, west to east, God's judgement is coming, and the peoples will be wiped out and the land laid waste.
Again, it's a scene of apocalyptic proportions, with the lands becoming deserted, desolate, and destroyed. Moab and Ammon will even end up like Sodom and Gomorrah, nettles and salt pits. Why will all this happen?
Zephaniah gives three reasons. First of all, there's the sin of idolatry - the nations have been worshipping false idols, bowing down to their own gods. Gods who, elsewhere are described as blocks of wood, deaf, dumb, mute, powerless and useless.
'The LORD will be awesome against them; for he will famish all the gods of the earth, and to him shall bow down, each in its place, all the lands of the nations.' (11)
All the praise given to those idol gods will be removed from them - they will be famished, starved of attention and praise - and every knee will bow and praise the LORD, the one, true and living God. It reminds us of Philippians 2 - how one day every knee will bow - that of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and of everyone else - and all tongues will praise King Jesus.
Secondly, the nations have indulged in pride. This was particularly the case with Nineveh, that great city of the Assyrians (who had conquered the kingdom of Israel). Having conquered, Nineveh said to herself that "I am, and there is no one else." Nineveh prided itself in its security and prosperity, but that security will come to an end when the LORD acts against the city.
Thirdly, the nations were taunting and reviling God's people. This was particularly the case with Moab and the Ammonites. They eyed up the promised land, and boasted that they would take it. They harrassed and hassled the people of God. They made life difficult for the people of the covenant.
God's response is to make their lands desolate, like Sodom and Gomorrah. Indeed, more than that - while judgement falls on the nations, God promises that there will be a 'remnant of my people'. That the LORD has not broken his covenant love with his people, even though they will be punished for their own rebellion. The remnant of the people will possess the seacoast, will inhabit the houses of Ashkelon.
Indeed, even while the LORD is disciplining us, even while the rod is being wielded, there is the promise of restoration:
For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes. (7)
God will not forget his promises, and will therefore restore the fortunes of his people. In the aftermath of Zephaniah's time, it was primarily seen in the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and Judah. God had not abandoned his people or forgotten his promise. With us, we have seen the raising of Jesus, the fortunes restored, and the great hope that is now certain and ours through the resurrection.
God will discipline us, chastening us - but it is for our good and our growth, making us more like Jesus. (Hebrews 12:3-13). Ultimately, Zephaniah 2 points us to the ultimate day of the Lord, when sin will be dealt with, and the rebels will be consigned to hell, and the people of God, that full remnant, will inherit and inhabit the new heavens and the new earth. No longer will God's people face opposition and persecution, because sin and sorrow will be no more. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Seek and Hide
A very short chunk of Zephaniah today, and yet a blink of encouragement and good news in the midst of the building gloom surrounding the fearsome and awesome day of the Lord, when God will judge Israel and the nations.
Zephaniah 2:1 continues in the stream of gloom - promising the burning anger of the LORD. The prophet calls for the shameless nation to gather together, yet it seems that even an assembly of the people of Israel will be able to change things. The purpose and course of God's wrath is set - it is the LORD's anger. The capital letters LORD is the covenant-making and covenant-keeping LORD, who will fulfill the covenant perfectly, either through rewards and blessing for those who obey, or through curses and punishment for those who disobey. Israel and Judah have turned aside, so the covenant calls for their punishment.
A bleak situation indeed. One we're becoming very familiar with in Zephaniah's book. Yet at this moment when things seem to be so dark, so set, so certain, there is a glimmer of hope. 2:3 says this:
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
who do his just commands;
seek righteousness; seek humility;
perhaps you may be hidden
on the day of the anger of the LORD.
Even in the face of certain judgement, there is the offer of grace. Even to hardened rebels, there is the final opportunity of mercy in this instance. Firstly, there is some seeking, and then there may be some hiding.
The humble of the land are being addressed - those who know their place, who are not lifted up or full of themselves. Those who, on hearing of the problem of sin, are convicted and repentant, rather than being brazen and stubborn. They are urged to seek the LORD, to seek righteousness, and humility. They are to seek out how to be right with God, to be in a right relationship with God and therefore live out of that right relationship.
It's not something that we can just do once and think that we've finished it. Rather, seeking righteousness and humility is an upside down turn around for us, something that has to be continually worked at (building on the finished work of Christ).
For those who seek righteousness and humility, who obey the LORD's commands, there is a remarkable answer. Normally we think of hide and seek, but here is it seek and hide: those who have sought the LORD may be hidden on the day of anger.
Remember, earlier we had the image of the LORD searching Jerusalem with lamps to punish the complacent - there was no hiding place for the wicked. Yet here, there may be a hiding place for those who seek righteousness, those who are in right relationship with God - precisely because they will have been hidden from the wrath.
It's like the picture of a nuclear bunker - the world is destroyed in a nuclear explosion. Plant life, animal life, humans, all wiped out, apart from those who are hidden from the blast in the bunker. But where is this hiding place? Where is it that is the place to be hidden when the wrath of the LORD is unleashed?
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)
God himself is the only hiding place, the only secure place in the day of wrath. For Christians, after the cross, we can see that as Jesus himself bore our sins on the tree, bearing our punishment, paying our debt, he is indeed the hiding place - within that spear-pierced side. Jesus protects us from his wrath, and we who shelter there are safe. Indeed, as the old hymn says:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
Seek the LORD, and you will be hidden in him.
Zephaniah 2:1 continues in the stream of gloom - promising the burning anger of the LORD. The prophet calls for the shameless nation to gather together, yet it seems that even an assembly of the people of Israel will be able to change things. The purpose and course of God's wrath is set - it is the LORD's anger. The capital letters LORD is the covenant-making and covenant-keeping LORD, who will fulfill the covenant perfectly, either through rewards and blessing for those who obey, or through curses and punishment for those who disobey. Israel and Judah have turned aside, so the covenant calls for their punishment.
A bleak situation indeed. One we're becoming very familiar with in Zephaniah's book. Yet at this moment when things seem to be so dark, so set, so certain, there is a glimmer of hope. 2:3 says this:
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
who do his just commands;
seek righteousness; seek humility;
perhaps you may be hidden
on the day of the anger of the LORD.
Even in the face of certain judgement, there is the offer of grace. Even to hardened rebels, there is the final opportunity of mercy in this instance. Firstly, there is some seeking, and then there may be some hiding.
The humble of the land are being addressed - those who know their place, who are not lifted up or full of themselves. Those who, on hearing of the problem of sin, are convicted and repentant, rather than being brazen and stubborn. They are urged to seek the LORD, to seek righteousness, and humility. They are to seek out how to be right with God, to be in a right relationship with God and therefore live out of that right relationship.
It's not something that we can just do once and think that we've finished it. Rather, seeking righteousness and humility is an upside down turn around for us, something that has to be continually worked at (building on the finished work of Christ).
For those who seek righteousness and humility, who obey the LORD's commands, there is a remarkable answer. Normally we think of hide and seek, but here is it seek and hide: those who have sought the LORD may be hidden on the day of anger.
Remember, earlier we had the image of the LORD searching Jerusalem with lamps to punish the complacent - there was no hiding place for the wicked. Yet here, there may be a hiding place for those who seek righteousness, those who are in right relationship with God - precisely because they will have been hidden from the wrath.
It's like the picture of a nuclear bunker - the world is destroyed in a nuclear explosion. Plant life, animal life, humans, all wiped out, apart from those who are hidden from the blast in the bunker. But where is this hiding place? Where is it that is the place to be hidden when the wrath of the LORD is unleashed?
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)
God himself is the only hiding place, the only secure place in the day of wrath. For Christians, after the cross, we can see that as Jesus himself bore our sins on the tree, bearing our punishment, paying our debt, he is indeed the hiding place - within that spear-pierced side. Jesus protects us from his wrath, and we who shelter there are safe. Indeed, as the old hymn says:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
Seek the LORD, and you will be hidden in him.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Day of Distress
We're continuing our series in Zephaniah, and again, the prophet is promising darkness on the great and terrible day of the Lord. As we begin to look at Zephaniah 1:14-18, let's remember that the prophet is telescoping - there are two horizons in focus at the same time - the impending destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of Babylon, and the last day of the world, the Day of the Lord when time shall cease and Jesus will judge the world.
Verse 15 describes in vivid detail what the day will be like:
15 A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.
Wrath, distress, anguish, ruin, devastation, darkness, gloom, clouds, thick darkness, trumpet blast and battle cry. In the terrible sights and sounds of the battlefield, Zephaniah communicates what the day of judgement will be like. You see, most people have a hazy sense of (unfounded) hope that when you die, you automatically are welcomed into heaven, no matter how much of a scoundrel you were.
Yet Zephaniah doesn't allow for much of that false hope here. The warning is absolutely clear - darkness and ruin. Orange said that 'the future's bright, the future's Orange' - but Zephaniah's future is bleak.
Why is the future so bleak? Was Zephaniah just having a bad day and taking it out on everyone else? Surely God isn't like this? We have the fuzzy cuddly picture of God who is only ever and only always love, but Zephaniah is crystal clear in his vision of God - the holy God, the God who cannot abide sin - our sin.
17 I will bring distress on mankind,
so that they shall walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD;
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
The reason for this terrible day of the Lord, the outpouring of his wrath is because of our sin. God is perfectly justified in reacting this way, in acting in judgement, because of our rebellion and sin. Indeed, God's anger is his natural response to sin. Distress is coming to mankind. Our situation is serious.
Yet for many in the UK, and in the prosperous West, we think that we don't need to worry about anything - nothing can harm us, because of our wealth. That money is the cure to all our problems, the way to protect and secure us. Just look at the 'credit crunch' though - our money was no cure then - rather it was the very root of the problem, as many loved money and sought to make as much as possible, under volatile circumstances.
Zephaniah is under no illusions, though. Money will not be a help on that day:
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the LORD.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Neither silver nor gold will be much use to save and deliver when Jesus unleashes his wrath against sin. The one thing that many in our nations trust in, and it will be useless on that day. What a wake-up call, not just to the nations, but also to Christians - our money will not save us!
Can we not be awakened to see that money is a good servant but a poor master? That we can and should by all means use money to further the work of the gospel, but that it will never save us, nor anyone else.
As chapter 1 of Zephaniah ends, God promises to make a full end of all the inhabitants of the earth. The danger signs abound. The wrath of God is being revealed against all sin and sinfulness. Money will not save us. Later Zephaniah will speak further of how to be saved, how to escape the wrath, but for now, the mention of silver and gold not saving us brings to mind how Peter describes our salvation, our way of escaping the day of distress and destruction:
'Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.' (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Verse 15 describes in vivid detail what the day will be like:
15 A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.
Wrath, distress, anguish, ruin, devastation, darkness, gloom, clouds, thick darkness, trumpet blast and battle cry. In the terrible sights and sounds of the battlefield, Zephaniah communicates what the day of judgement will be like. You see, most people have a hazy sense of (unfounded) hope that when you die, you automatically are welcomed into heaven, no matter how much of a scoundrel you were.
Yet Zephaniah doesn't allow for much of that false hope here. The warning is absolutely clear - darkness and ruin. Orange said that 'the future's bright, the future's Orange' - but Zephaniah's future is bleak.
Why is the future so bleak? Was Zephaniah just having a bad day and taking it out on everyone else? Surely God isn't like this? We have the fuzzy cuddly picture of God who is only ever and only always love, but Zephaniah is crystal clear in his vision of God - the holy God, the God who cannot abide sin - our sin.
17 I will bring distress on mankind,
so that they shall walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD;
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
The reason for this terrible day of the Lord, the outpouring of his wrath is because of our sin. God is perfectly justified in reacting this way, in acting in judgement, because of our rebellion and sin. Indeed, God's anger is his natural response to sin. Distress is coming to mankind. Our situation is serious.
Yet for many in the UK, and in the prosperous West, we think that we don't need to worry about anything - nothing can harm us, because of our wealth. That money is the cure to all our problems, the way to protect and secure us. Just look at the 'credit crunch' though - our money was no cure then - rather it was the very root of the problem, as many loved money and sought to make as much as possible, under volatile circumstances.
Zephaniah is under no illusions, though. Money will not be a help on that day:
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the LORD.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Neither silver nor gold will be much use to save and deliver when Jesus unleashes his wrath against sin. The one thing that many in our nations trust in, and it will be useless on that day. What a wake-up call, not just to the nations, but also to Christians - our money will not save us!
Can we not be awakened to see that money is a good servant but a poor master? That we can and should by all means use money to further the work of the gospel, but that it will never save us, nor anyone else.
As chapter 1 of Zephaniah ends, God promises to make a full end of all the inhabitants of the earth. The danger signs abound. The wrath of God is being revealed against all sin and sinfulness. Money will not save us. Later Zephaniah will speak further of how to be saved, how to escape the wrath, but for now, the mention of silver and gold not saving us brings to mind how Peter describes our salvation, our way of escaping the day of distress and destruction:
'Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.' (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Complacency
Yesterday, we began an overview study of the book of the prophet Zephaniah. He foretold that God was going to engage in some 'spring cleaning', sweeping both the rebellious city of Jerusalem and the rebellious world clean. The rest of chapter 1 continues to unfold what the Day of the Lord will be like:
7 Be silent before the Lord GOD!
For the day of the LORD is near;
the LORD has prepared a sacrifice
and consecrated his guests.
8And on the day of the LORD’s sacrifice— "I will punish the officials and the king’s sons
and all who array themselves in foreign attire.
9On that day I will punish
everyone who leaps over the threshold,
and those who fill their master’s house
with violence and fraud.
10"On that day," declares the LORD,
"a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second Quarter,
a loud crash from the hills.
11 Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar!
For all the traders are no more;
all who weigh out silver are cut off.
12At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
those who say in their hearts,
'The LORD will not do good,
nor will he do ill.'
13Their goods shall be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them."
Three times in these verses, the message of the Lord is that he will punish the wicked - those who array themselves in foreign attire (which isn't a prohibition on Italian designerwear, but rather on siding with the rebellious, courting the surrounding nations and being like them, rather than being God's holy, distinct people), who fill the Lord's house with violence and fraud, and the complacent.
Let's think about these complacent for a moment or two. 'those who say in their hearts, 'The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.'' These inhabitants of Jerusalem, these covenant people are complacent because they think that God is himself complacent. They have forgotten what their God is like - the majestic, powerful, speaking, sovereign, saving Lord. They instead think that God will neither do good or ill, he just doesn't care and won't act one way or the other.
What a shock, then, when they are addressed by the speaking, saving LORD's prophet, who declares that the LORD will not only act, but will judge and punish their complacency. There will be no hiding place - the image of the Lord searching the city with lamps - no hidden corner or dark place escapes his reach and sight.
The complacent ones will suffer ruin and futility - they have gone to all that work of building houses, planting vineyards, and storing up goods - but they will never enjoy them.
But hang on - these very things that Zephaniah proclaims were promised centuries before. Indeed, as Zephaniah declares these things in Jerusalem, the people should have been paying attention, remembering the Law, and realising that these were the promised curses which accompanied the disobedience of God's rule:
'You shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it. You shall plant a vineyard, but you shall not enjoy its fruit.' (Deuteronomy 28:30)
Yet even this condemnation from God's word is not enough to stir them up to repentance. Rather, their complacency continues, and their punishment is certain. Is there a possibility that we too could be complacent? Could we also have lost our awareness of who God is and what he will do (and has done)?
We're complacent when we think that God doesn't care about our sin, or that God won't punish rebellion - so we don't worry about our ongoing sanctification. We're complacent when we think that God won't cast sinners into hell - and so we don't engage in evangelism. We're complacent when we think that God is not active in his world today - so we sit back with our ticket to heaven without getting stuck in to his work today. We're complacent when we think that God will not do good - so we don't expect him to answer our prayers, so we don't pray.
God, our majestic, powerful, speaking, sovereign, saving, judging Lord does not want us to be complacent. Will you step up for God and cooperate in his mission today?
7 Be silent before the Lord GOD!
For the day of the LORD is near;
the LORD has prepared a sacrifice
and consecrated his guests.
8And on the day of the LORD’s sacrifice— "I will punish the officials and the king’s sons
and all who array themselves in foreign attire.
9On that day I will punish
everyone who leaps over the threshold,
and those who fill their master’s house
with violence and fraud.
10"On that day," declares the LORD,
"a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second Quarter,
a loud crash from the hills.
11 Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar!
For all the traders are no more;
all who weigh out silver are cut off.
12At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
those who say in their hearts,
'The LORD will not do good,
nor will he do ill.'
13Their goods shall be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them."
Three times in these verses, the message of the Lord is that he will punish the wicked - those who array themselves in foreign attire (which isn't a prohibition on Italian designerwear, but rather on siding with the rebellious, courting the surrounding nations and being like them, rather than being God's holy, distinct people), who fill the Lord's house with violence and fraud, and the complacent.
Let's think about these complacent for a moment or two. 'those who say in their hearts, 'The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.'' These inhabitants of Jerusalem, these covenant people are complacent because they think that God is himself complacent. They have forgotten what their God is like - the majestic, powerful, speaking, sovereign, saving Lord. They instead think that God will neither do good or ill, he just doesn't care and won't act one way or the other.
What a shock, then, when they are addressed by the speaking, saving LORD's prophet, who declares that the LORD will not only act, but will judge and punish their complacency. There will be no hiding place - the image of the Lord searching the city with lamps - no hidden corner or dark place escapes his reach and sight.
The complacent ones will suffer ruin and futility - they have gone to all that work of building houses, planting vineyards, and storing up goods - but they will never enjoy them.
But hang on - these very things that Zephaniah proclaims were promised centuries before. Indeed, as Zephaniah declares these things in Jerusalem, the people should have been paying attention, remembering the Law, and realising that these were the promised curses which accompanied the disobedience of God's rule:
'You shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it. You shall plant a vineyard, but you shall not enjoy its fruit.' (Deuteronomy 28:30)
Yet even this condemnation from God's word is not enough to stir them up to repentance. Rather, their complacency continues, and their punishment is certain. Is there a possibility that we too could be complacent? Could we also have lost our awareness of who God is and what he will do (and has done)?
We're complacent when we think that God doesn't care about our sin, or that God won't punish rebellion - so we don't worry about our ongoing sanctification. We're complacent when we think that God won't cast sinners into hell - and so we don't engage in evangelism. We're complacent when we think that God is not active in his world today - so we sit back with our ticket to heaven without getting stuck in to his work today. We're complacent when we think that God will not do good - so we don't expect him to answer our prayers, so we don't pray.
God, our majestic, powerful, speaking, sovereign, saving, judging Lord does not want us to be complacent. Will you step up for God and cooperate in his mission today?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
A Clean Sweep
It's the time of the year for spring cleaning. The windows can be opened to let the spring sunshine in and some fresh air through the house. The house can be tidied and cleaned from top to bottom. A fresh start for the spring and summer.
As we begin to look at the book of the prophet Zephaniah, we find that God has promised a spring clean as well. Zephaniah is a prophet in Jerusalem, during the days of Josiah (1:1), but the clean sweep isn't far away:
"I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth," declares the Lord. "I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth," declares the Lord. "I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests, those who bow down on the roofs to the host of the heavens, those who bow down and swear to the Lord and yet swear by Milcom, those who have turned back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him." Zeph (1:2-6)
Jerusalem was dirty, not with dust or grime, but through the sins of the people. Jerusalem was a mess. The people who were God's people had turned away, following other gods, led astray by the false priests, the idolatrous priests. They had 'turned back from following the Lord' and weren't seeking him any more. Instead, they were running after false gods and idols, Baal and Milcom.
Jerusalem would be swept clean. The judgement was sure and would be carried out.
Looking back from our position in history, we can see how this was accomplished. Jerusalem fell to the army of Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar. The temple and city were left in ruins, a clean sweep, as it were.
Yet it appears as if the prophet's warning wasn't fully accomplished. After all, while Jerusalem was swept clean, the whole earth hasn't been swept clean. The beginning of those words of warning declares that God will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth. That hasn't happened yet. Nor has mankind been swept away from the face of the earth. That hasn't happened yet.
No, but just as the sweeping clean of Jerusalem happened, so one day the sweeping clean of the whole earth will also happen. Just as those who sinned in Jerusalem were punished, so also will all who sin on the whole earth be punished. Zephaniah (in the next verse 1:6) describes the time of the (coming) fall of Jerusalem as the day of the Lord. From our perspective in history, we also wait for the day of the Lord, when the risen, reigning Lord Jesus will return as King and Judge, and the earth will be judged and cleansed, before new heavens and new earth are formed, where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3: 13).
The clean sweep of the sinful will shortly begin. Will you stand firm or be swept away?
As we begin to look at the book of the prophet Zephaniah, we find that God has promised a spring clean as well. Zephaniah is a prophet in Jerusalem, during the days of Josiah (1:1), but the clean sweep isn't far away:
"I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth," declares the Lord. "I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth," declares the Lord. "I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests, those who bow down on the roofs to the host of the heavens, those who bow down and swear to the Lord and yet swear by Milcom, those who have turned back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him." Zeph (1:2-6)
Jerusalem was dirty, not with dust or grime, but through the sins of the people. Jerusalem was a mess. The people who were God's people had turned away, following other gods, led astray by the false priests, the idolatrous priests. They had 'turned back from following the Lord' and weren't seeking him any more. Instead, they were running after false gods and idols, Baal and Milcom.
Jerusalem would be swept clean. The judgement was sure and would be carried out.
Looking back from our position in history, we can see how this was accomplished. Jerusalem fell to the army of Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar. The temple and city were left in ruins, a clean sweep, as it were.
Yet it appears as if the prophet's warning wasn't fully accomplished. After all, while Jerusalem was swept clean, the whole earth hasn't been swept clean. The beginning of those words of warning declares that God will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth. That hasn't happened yet. Nor has mankind been swept away from the face of the earth. That hasn't happened yet.
No, but just as the sweeping clean of Jerusalem happened, so one day the sweeping clean of the whole earth will also happen. Just as those who sinned in Jerusalem were punished, so also will all who sin on the whole earth be punished. Zephaniah (in the next verse 1:6) describes the time of the (coming) fall of Jerusalem as the day of the Lord. From our perspective in history, we also wait for the day of the Lord, when the risen, reigning Lord Jesus will return as King and Judge, and the earth will be judged and cleansed, before new heavens and new earth are formed, where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3: 13).
The clean sweep of the sinful will shortly begin. Will you stand firm or be swept away?
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