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"I will bring distress upon men"

Text: Zephaniah 1:17

THE GRAVITY OF SIN

Not everyone considers the gravity of sin. Transgressions and iniquity and their consequences are often laid aside. The judgment of the great day of the Lord however, reminds us of the grave consequences that come to all who are unrepentant of their sinful ways!

“I will bring distress upon men,
And they shall walk like blind men,
Because they have sinned against the LORD;
Their blood shall be poured out like dust,
And their flesh like refuse.”
Zephaniah 1:17

1. “I will bring distress upon men”

a) The Lord could bring deliverance.

b) Or He could bring distress.

c) Much depends on how people respond to Him and the word given.

d) In this instance, it was obvious that God would have to bring distress to Judah!

2. The distress God speaks about

a) The men would walk around like “blind men”.

b) People who are blind would not be able to go about their business in buying and selling.

c) Worse, they would become spiritually blind and are unable to “see” the Lord.

3. “Because they have sinned against the LORD”

a) The word “sin’ is often used with two other words:

i) Transgression

ii) Iniquity

b) Sometimes the word “sin” is used by itself.

c) A careful study of the many sins of Judah would indicate that the single word “sin” would suggest that the people had also committed transgression and also iniquity.

d) The people had sinned against the Lord grievously and had not repented at all.

4. The consequences

a) Much blood would be spilt.

b) Many would die in the Babylonian invasion.

c) The imagery of the destruction of lives was grim.

d) The number of people who would die is described as “dust”, and the bodies are described as “refuse!”