Zephaniah 3:1-20.  Yesterday’s reading focused on the fact that God will judge evil in the world.  We saw that he is in control to the ends of the earth.  Today’s reading starts out by bringing the predictions back home, literally for the inhabitants of Judah, or at least Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is the rebellious city though we are not specifically told that.  The city is rebellious and dirty (spiritually dirty that is).  It is clear that the city in view should have know about God, that God had given these people rules to live by but they did not listen (v. 2).  Notice the “big picture” idea we talked about yesterday in verse 2 when it mentions getting close to God.  But the people of this city didn’t do it.  Everyone is guilty, the princes, the judges, the prophets, and the priests.  This is a very appropriate picture of Judah before Josiah began to clean up his kingdom spiritually (see “Intro to Zephaniah”).

In contrast look at the “big picture” ideas in verse 5.  God is involved in the lives of the people of Jerusalem and his actions are “right” (righteous).  Not only does he do what is right or just but he also makes sure that people can see it if they are looking.  God does not fail us but we fail him when we boldly continue on our unfair ways with no shame.

In verse 6 God reminds the people that he has dealt with sin in the past.  And remember from yesterday’s reading he has promised to deal with it in the future too.  But in verse 7 he tells the people of Jerusalem that he will not deal with them in the same way; he will not completely destroy their city forever.  Eventually the people of Jerusalem (at least some of them, remember the word “remnant” it means “left over part”) will listen and honor God and as a result the city will not be destroyed but will fulfill it’s destiny according to all the promises God has made to and about it.  Unfortunately at the time at least the people were still more than happy to live less than perfect lives (the word “corrupt” means “marred, wasted, spoiled or beat up”).

In verse 8 God basically says, “Just wait and see, I’m going to deal with all this wrong stuff”.  God is passionate about dealing with sin.  But his goal is not to destroy (though it is clear that he will).  In verse 9 we see that his goal is to fix the sin problem and that he will clean us up.  Then we will all live together honoring God.  Verse 10 returns to the whole world idea when we learn that God will gather those who honor him from “beyond the rivers of Ethiopia”.

In verses 11-13 God talks again to the people of Jerusalem or Judah directly.  The two sides of God’s justice and love or holiness and mercy are seen in the fact that god will remove the people who have been rebellious and proud, wanting to run things their way and will leave those who have put themselves into his loving care.  Unlike the prod they have found shelter from the consequences of evil in Yahweh, the personal God.  And god will help them live lives that please him.

Verses 14-20 are like a song of victory.  In the song God assures the people of Judah that they will indeed fulfill their destiny, the world will see God caring for them and the people of Judah and Jerusalem (actually all of Israel) will be famous in the among “all the peoples of the earth(not all individuals but people from every part of the earth).”

I’m impressed by God’s patience with the people of Judah and with all of us.  I’m also impressed that God’s love and mercy extended beyond the borders of that little country to the “beyond the rivers of Cush”.  It is scary though that God will deal with those who do not want him and want to be left alone,  for alone they will be in eternity.  Jesus described it as “weeping and grinding the teeth” (Matthew 24:51, 25:30, Luke 13:28).  It’s also scary when I think back to chapter one and how God requires faithful devotion to him, no sharing.  This book makes it clear that god will deal with sin and evil and that the consequences are severe and forever. But it is also clear that there is a way out, a remnant that we can be a part of.  According to John that remnant is considered part of God’s “family”, his “children”, and to be a part of it we need to believe in who Jesus is and what he alone can do for us and accept the free gift of eternity with God. I’m so glad that God is not all justice and purity and that he also has love and mercy.

God thank you for your mercy, than you for your love.  Help me be true to you.  Thank you that your love didn’t stop with the Israelites but extended beyond the rivers of Cush.  I live way out there and an glad to be part of your forever family.  Thank you for waiting for me and help me be patient waiting for others until that “great and terrible Day” in which you bring this wicked chapter in human history to a close.