First things first . . .

 

READ Zephaniah 1–3 and Haggai 1–2

Time is have past, present future, but eternity is all NOW. Perhaps that is why much of the OT prophets spoke in terms that seem to apply to their situation but also to the future, to the “day of the Lord” when sin would end, and righteousness would prevail.

Zephaniah prophesied during the reforms of King Josiah after the reign of an evil king. This prophet told of judgment to come, but also restoration. His use of the term “day of the Lord” refers both to impending and final judgments as he calls people to seek the Lord.

“I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. (Zephaniah 1:2–3)

Zephaniah says this “day” is near, yet some of it points to the end spoken of in Revelation:

I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. (1:17–18)

His words tell readers what to do: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.” (2:3)

He also describes those who refuse to listen:

“Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord; she does not draw near to her God. Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law. The Lord within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.” (3:1–5)

Yet there is hope, both for the people of Zephaniah’s day and our day:

“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord . . . .  I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord, those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid . . . . The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing’ . . . . “Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,’ says the Lord.” (3:9; 12–20)

After this prophet and after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, they were supposed to rebuild the temple, but Haggai rebuked the people for living in “paneled houses” while the house of God remained in ruins. They must repent as the temple symbolized God’s restored presence among them. After withholding blessings, He stirred up their leaders to do the work saying:

“I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory . . . . The silver is mine, and the gold is mine . . . . The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former . . . . And in this place, I will give peace.” (Haggai 2:6–9)

Could the priorities of God be plainer? I have needs and want blessings. He says I must take care of the place where God dwells (my heart) and He will take care of the rest.