Let’s take a moment to look at the opening and closing words of Zephaniah as an example. It’s short- only 3 chapters; you could read it in a few minutes over your morning coffee.
God starts by warning Israel about the consequences of their unfaithfulness and rebellion. He is very direct.
The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests, those who bow down on the roofs to the host of the heavens, those who bow down and swear to the Lord and yet swear by Milcom, those who have turned back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.” Zephaniah 1:1-6 ESV
The warning grows stronger from there. The Lord warns of the coming Day of the Lord with its judgment. He isn’t playing around here. They have been warned repeatedly, seen His mercy and grace, and still choose to walk in rebellion.
Now to the end of the little book. In 3:9-13, He promises the conversion of the nations, hope for you and me. He reminds Judah that His plan of salvation has always been for all nations.
Then the lord turns his focus back to Israel.
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel. Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord. Zephaniah 3:14-20 ESV
Perfect righteous wrath for rebellion and limitless grace and mercy bringing salvation to the nations. Truly, two sides of the same God.
I know how rebellious and sinful I can be and that I would be lost without His love and mercy. How about you?
Praise His holy name.
Kevin
SUMMARY
In Zephaniah, God is shown to be both the God of holy righteous wrath and limitless grace and mercy. I know I would be lost without His love and mercy; how about you?
TAKEAWAY
From the opening to the closing words of Zephaniah, God’s holy righteous wrath and His limitless grace and mercy don’t contradict. They are two sides of the same coin.
His people had been warned repeatedly and had seen His mercy and grace, yet still chose to walk in rebellion. He isn’t playing around here.
His plan of salvation has always been for all nations. That is hope for you and me.
