Daily Devotions
Zephaniah
"You Ethiopians also"
Text: Zephaniah 2:12
THE MENTION OF ETHIOPIA
Zephaniah mentioned Ethiopia very briefly. We would need to look at Isaiah 18 to understand and appreciate why this judgment was made against the nation.
“You Ethiopians also,
You shall be slain by My sword.”
Zephaniah 2:12
1. Ethiopia was a country quite close to Egypt.
2. Why was it mentioned at all?
3. The word of judgment was severe.
a) The Ethiopians would be slain by God’s sword.
b) They were obviously guilty of sin and thus had to be judged!
PROPHETIC INSIGHTS FROM EZEKIEL AND ISAIAH
Isaiah devoted a whole chapter concerning God’s judgment against the nation (Isaiah 18). Ezekiel’s contribution is much clearer.
1. Ezekiel’s comment on why Ethiopia would be judged by the Lord
a) It would be judged in conjunction with the condemnation of Egypt because of its arrogance.
b) Ethiopia and a few other nations were “allied” with Egypt.
“Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people,
Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied,
shall fall with them by the sword.”
Ezekiel 30:5
c) These allies had sought to uphold Egypt in order to battle Babylon.
“Thus says the LORD:
‘Those who uphold Egypt shall fall,
And the pride of her power shall come down.
From Migdol to Syene
Those within her shall fall by the sword,’
says the Lord GOD.”
Ezekiel 30:6
2. Isaiah’s comment on Ethiopia
a) It sent its ambassadors to Judah (Isaiah 18:2).
b) They demanded that “swift messengers” be sent to Ethiopia.
c) The Ethiopians were described thus:
“…A nation tall and smooth of skin,
…A people terrible from their beginning onward,
A nation powerful and treading down (others).”
Isaiah 18:2
3. Woe was pronounced against Ethiopia (Isaiah 18:1)
Ethiopia was similarly caught up with the sin of pride and arrogance (just like Egypt)!