When Josiah was King of Judah the prophet Zephaniah began to mister to his people. In chapter one he spoke of the Day of the Lord. This is a day of calamity. Men and animals will be wiped out. This statement leads me to believe it goes beyond the day when Judah and Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. Another period is predicted. In His jealousy the entire earth and everyone that lives on it will be consumed. But don’t fret. That is not the final word.

What about those Israelites that did not reject Yahweh but continued to be faithful to Him? Zephaniah 2 tells them to be humble and be righteous. Judgment of Judah and other nations is also spelled out. The cities in Philistia will suffer. Moab and Ammon will be destroyed for their abuse of Israel. Cush and Assyria will be put to the sword for their rebellion as well. The pride of all these lands will ultimately destroy them.

Jerusalem is condemned in Zephaniah chapter three and judgment of the city is discussed. The Lord’s righteousness is contrasted with the vileness of the “Holy” city. The numerous warnings by the prophets, the conquest of Samaria and Israel, and the example of Judah’s good Kings has no effect on most of the inhabitants.

There will be a remnant that will survive and return to the Promised Land. Israel must survive this exile to have the Messiah be born as the prophecy reminds us. These people will include those who are righteous. Fortunes will be restored but the established festivals will be lost.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger