The prophet Zephaniah rains judgment upon the people of his time, which is the reign of the reformer, King Josiah (640-609 B.C.). One of Israel’s 12 minor prophets, Zephaniah preaches the nearness of the day of the Lord, a day of wrath, distress, anguish, ruin, devastation, darkness, gloom.
Danger abounds for Israel in the political turmoil of Zephaniah’s time. Israel is a vassal state of Assyria until the Assyrian armies retreat to their homeland (Iraq today) to stave off the Babylonians growing threat to their empire. The Babylonian threat gives the southern kingdom of Judah an interval of independence.
However, sensing a political vacuum, Egypt soon moves north to gain territory. The reforming reign of King Josiah ends when he is killed in battle against the Egyptians.
Zephaniah realizes that Judah needs religious renewal. The prophet’s words stir the king to initiate reforms and smash the idols the Israelites worship. Zephaniah urges the people of his time to seek God humbly. He calls them to remember and keep God’s commands in hope that they “may be hidden on the day of God’s anger.”
Zephaniah describes a remnant, an ideal people who will no longer make of themselves gods but rather “seek refuge in the name of the Holy One.” This humble remnant “shall do no wrong, nor speak lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths.”
With many people today leaving the Church and former Catholics becoming the second largest Christian group in the U.S, some voices echo Zephaniah’s harsh judgment. Who belongs among the faithful remnant today? Perhaps the beatitudes offer the real answer to this question. Those who live the gospel Jesus preaches and join God in blessing their neighbors who live in poverty and grief, who work peace, and show mercy.
Who is God’s remnant?
Seek the Lord,
all you humble of the earth,
who have observed God’s law;
seek justice, seek humility;
perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of God’s anger.
I will leave as a remnant
in your midst,
a people humble and lowly.
The remnant of Israel shall take
refuge in the name of the Holy One.
They shall do no wrong,
nor speak lies,
nor shall a deceitful tongue
be found in their mouths.
They shall pasture their flocks
with none to disturb them.
Zephaniah 2.3; 3.12-13
- For what do you think God will judge us harshly in our time?
- Why do we tend to forget our reliance on God when things are going well for us?
- What do you think Zephaniah might preach today?
- Listen to “The Beatitudes” by Sweet Honey in the Rock on both Live at Carnegie Hall and Selections 1976-1988 albums.