Zephaniah 1-3  "... the day of the Lord is near.."  Zephaniah proclaimed.  Judgement was poured out on Israel and Judah, as well as on Moab and other surrounding nations.   Yet, the final judgement,  the Day of the Lord, is yet to come, when all of Zephaniah's prophecies are fulfilled.  The Lord will "completely remove all things from the face of the earth."  He will "remove man and beast; .. birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins along withe wicked;" He declares, " I will cut off man form the face of the earth." (1:2-3)

The immediate judgement was on Judah because of the idolatry, their violence, and their deceit.  God's hand is stretched out against ".. those who have turned back from following the Lord, and those who have not sought the Lord or inquired of Him."  ( 1:4-6)

" A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry.. and I will bring distress on men, so that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord. " ( 1:15-17)

When God judges.. a person or a nation... He judges with justice and righteousness.  
He judges the heart of each man - "And it will come about at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish men who are stagnant in spirit, who say in their hearts, 'The Lord will not do good or evil.'" ( 1:12)

He judges fully.. "Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of the Lord's wrath; and all the earth will be devoured in the fire of His jealousy, for He will make a complete end."  ( v18)

There is only one hope.. " Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility.  Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger." (2: 3)

There will be a remnant that is saved.  It will be the humble and lowly, who take refuge in the Lord. It will be the lame and the outcast, whose shame will be turned "into praise and renown". 

It will not be the princes - for they were like "roaring lions" - destructive and violent.
It will not be the judges - for they were like "wolves at evening". 
It will not be the prophets who were "reckless, treacherous men". 
It will not be the priests who "profaned the sanctuary.. and have done violence to the law."

It will be those who revere the Lord and who accept instruction. 
Those who "wait" for Him. 
Those who receive "purified lips" so that they "call on the name of the Lord "
Those who "tell no lies," and do not have a "deceitful tongue". 
The Lord will remove His judgements, clear away their enemies, and bring them into peace. 

"The Lord your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior, 
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love, 
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."  ( 3:17)


Our God, the King of Israel, the Lord of all... will be forever in our midst.. Oh what a day that will be.  But only if we are among those who are hidden.. hidden in Jesus Christ our Savior, our Redeemer,  our Righteousness.

"Oh, safe to the Rock that is higher than I

My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly.

So sinful, so weary, 

Thine, Thine I would be!

Thou blest Rock of Ages, 

I'm hiding in Thee. 

Hiding in Thee, 

Hiding in Thee, 

Thou blest Rock of Ages, 

I'm hiding in Thee."

Father, God of all creation, You will one day bring judgement on this whole earth.  We humble ourselves before You now, fearfully and reverently seeking that precious hiding place in Jesus Christ our King.  May we stay is this place of refuge and peace.  May we exult in the salvation of our Lord!  With thankful hearts we praise You, our everlasting Father.  In Jesus we abide. Amen.