For they go up to their roofs and bow down to the sun, moon, and stars. They claim to follow the Lord, but they worship Molech, too.
And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek my blessings.” Zephaniah 1: 4-6
Zephaniah lived in the same timeframe as the prophet Jeremiah. I think complacency and idolatry are the things that stand out most to me in Chapter One. You would think after time and time again of being warned of this through God’s numerous mouth pieces, that Judah would turn from their wicked ways. But aren’t we the same? Idols have been worshiped down through history. More than a statue, an idol can be anything reverenced or respected more than God. And idolatry is widespread today… trusting more in money, people, power, fame. Think about where or who you put your trust in – where your stability lies, because whatever you’re relying too heavily upon can be taken away in the drop of a dime!
“I have heard the taunts of the Moabites and the insults of the Ammonites mocking my people and invading their borders.
They will receive the wages of their pride, for they have scoffed at the people of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
The Lord will terrify them as he destroys all the gods in the land. The nations around the world will worship the Lord, each in their own land.” Zephaniah 2: 8, 10-11
Wow, what stands out to me in Chapter Two is that we are not to take vengeance upon people who scoff at and taunt us because of Christ’s righteousness in our lives. There are times when it seems the whole world is mocking God and His followers. It’s hard to not strike back or avenge, but we are to leave revenge up to God. When we are ridiculed, remember that God hears it all.
The sin in Jerusalem was the most pressing problem. The “city of God” became just as pagan and polluted as their surrounding nations. The people pretended to worship and serve God, but in their hearts they had rejected Him and continued to be complacent about their sins. They no longer cared about the consequences of turning away from God. Zephaniah made it clear that there would be judgment first, then blessing.
Their root problem was pride-an inflated self-esteem. The Bible Commentary explains it so well… “God’s people had become so proud that they would not listen to God’s voice. Do you find it difficult to listen to the spiritual counsel of others or God’s words from the Bible? Don’t let pride make you unable or unwilling to let God work in your life. You will be more willing to listen when you consider how weak and sinful you really are compared to God.”
Again, we wonder how Judah could have been so oblivious and disobedient to the things of God, especially when they’ve been warned time after time? Even their ancestors witnessed the greatness of God?? Here’s the answer, and it’s so important that we get this; they had allowed sin to so harden them that they no longer cared to follow God. The more God punished them, the more they sinned. Just know that if you’re living in disobedience to God you’re in danger of your heart growing cold, and losing all desire of God.
God never left Judah. How faithful He is! Despite ourselves, God is with us!
