Judgment, Repentance and Hope

Reflection on the book of Zephaniah as a whole.

Continuing to work through the Minor Prophets I feel like I am always writing about the same things; judgment, a call for repentance and a promise of hope for the remnant of God’s people. This seems to be a forgotten message over and over again as the people continued to fall into a world of sin and disobedience. The prophecies given by each of the Minor Prophets are powerful reminders for us still today of how we all continually need to hear the message of judgment, repentance and hope.

As I read through Zephaniah I stopped to reflect around on the promises made to “all you humble of the land” (2:3) and “the meek and humble” (3:12). As we read about the judgment on those who fail to follow God it is those who humble themselves before Him that will be sheltered or hidden from the day of the Lords anger. Zephaniah’s call, was to help the people understand why God was going to cast judgment on them.

Zephaniah speaks of judgment and blessing, a severe and relentless judgment and yet this morning I am encouraged by the words of blessing for those who remained faithful. I was reflecting on the words of Jesus found at the opening of the Sermon on the Mount as a great reminder and encouragement. Blessed are the meek, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted and the merciful. Gods faithfulness to those who love and follow Him is unchanging, we have that promise today just like the faithful remnant in the time of Zephaniah. God continues to bless me and my family and I am thankful for the hope I can have in Him to one day bring us into a place where we can be with Him.