Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.

The book of Zephaniah is a mere three chapters and should be read in one sitting. It is scary to read, to say the least. It warns the Jewish people (Judah and Jerusalem) of God’s impending judgment because they have turned their backs from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him. Judgment is also pronounced on the surrounding nations for their pride and for insulting and mocking the people of the Lord Almighty. The Jews are God’s chosen people so it begs the question: If God would judge his own people, what makes the rest of us so smug that we daily ignore him? Zephaniah does hold out hope for the preservation, deliverance, and restoration of the remnant of God’s people: “But I will leave within you the meek and humble who trust in the name of the Lord.” (Chapter 3)

God sees us today in our rebellion and he has made provision in Christ for our salvation and restoration to fellowship with himself. Rejection of his incredible love leaves us wide open for judgment. This is what the Holy Spirit said to me following my reading of Zephaniah:

“For when I have set my love upon my people, it follows that I shall always bring them out of their captivity again and again. I punish them for their wickedness but it does not mean that I do not love them. It is so that they will live holy. I demand righteous living. I cannot afford for my name to be constantly blasphemed by the impurity of their lives. I am a God of holiness. My people must live in a way that honors my name. They cannot live like everyone else. Because of my holiness I am compelled to bring them into judgment so they will repent.”