Daily Devotions
Zephaniah
"In the day of the LORD'S wrath"
Text: Zephaniah 1:18
A DEEP MISCONCEPTION
Why were the people who were threatened with the severe wrath of God not responding appropriately? There are many possible reasons. Two are highlighted here:
“Neither their silver nor their gold
Shall be able to deliver them
In the day of the LORD’S wrath;
But the whole land shall be devoured
By the fire of His jealousy,
For He will make speedy riddance
Of all those who dwell in the land.”
Zephaniah 1:18
1. “Neither their silver nor gold shall be able to deliver them”
a) It would appear that there was an abundance of silver and gold.
b) In past experiences, invaders could be bought off.
i) By offering large sums of silver and gold.
ii) By offering to pay heavy yearly tributes.
iii) By humble negotiations with the invading enemies.
c) But not on this occasion.
i) The Babylonians would not consider offers of silver and gold.
ii) They already had an abundance of wealth.
2. “In the day of the LORD’s wrath”
a) This invasion of the Babylonians was part of the judgment called “the great day of the LORD”.
b) It would be a day where the great wrath of God would be displayed.
c) It would not be the Babylonians who must be placated.
d) It is the LORD Himself and He is not enamoured of silver and gold!
3. “But the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy”
a) The fire of His jealousy suggests why God was so angry.
b) The word “jealousy” was used to describe God’s anger when His people turned to idolatry.
i) They had given their affection to idols that could do nothing for them.
ii) Their idols would be helpless before the might of the Babylonians.
iii) Fire would cleanse the nation of the sin of idolatrous worship.
4. “He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land”
The land ultimately belonged to the Lord God! He disinherited the Canaanites because of their idolatry and gave the land to Israel. He would disinherit Israel and give the land to the Babylonians!