Zephaniah 2
Is not ample warning of consequences spelled out for us in
Deut. 27-28?
Judah had been given its ultimatum which sadly will go
unheeded and Babylon will be chosen as God’s scourge upon Israel.
Now Judah’s enemies are given their ultimatum.
1 Gather
yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; 2 Before the
decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger
of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger come upon you. 3
Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment;
seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD's anger.
Stones Tanak comments on the words, “not or without desire,”
It says, “You lack the desire to come closer to God.”
The Full Life Study Bible, “Zephaniah had declared the coming
day of God’s wrath upon Judah, a date that would not be cancelled.”
Regarding verse 3:
Matt. 5:5-8, 6:33 Blessed are the meek: for they shall
inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they
shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God… But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.
The time and certainty of judgment had been set, and the
nation had to be punished for its apostasy and sin. Nevertheless, God offered
hope for those who repented before that day. The righteous would be protected by
the LORD’s on that Day of His wrath. He encourages those repented to deepen
their commitment to God and His Torah; perhaps God would protect them when He
comes to chastise His people.
The Key Word Study Bible offers this comment, “Those who
already had an inclination to serve God are challenged here to seek the Lord
even more earnestly. The Judgment would still come upon the land but they would
be hidden. This might refer to some special protection under God’s providence.
(cf. Jer. 15:11; 39:17; 45:5), or to the fact that they are hidden in Him unto
eternal life.” Again the correlation between the name of the prophet of God
whose name means hidden symbolizing the righteous followers of God would be
hidden.
These verse is addressing the nations not desired of the
LORD, meaning because they are His Creation, He cares for them (enough to send
a Jewish with warning), but they do not have the chosen status of Israel.
Sheep and goats (Matt. 25), wheat from tares (Matt. 13),
wheat from chaff (Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17), will the people be divided and
winnowed. Battle lines will be drawn for the last round, the over time.
HE says before this Day, THE Day of Judgment falls upon them,
one last plea to stay the judgment upon themselves through repentance, so that
they can have a protected hidden status of His righteous remnant which still
remains in Judah. Again, a protective shelter is proclaimed amidst God’s wrath.
Likewise when God’s wrath falls upon those of the Beast, God’s people will be
exempt, like Israel was protected in Goshen from the 10 plagues. However, satan
too makes war and dishes out his own wrath and this we have not been promised
exemption from. While the wicked suffers during the Great Tribulation, someone
will be the scapegoat, the whipping boy and this will be God’s people. Some of
us will be called to martyrdom.
Rev. 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the
saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and
tongues, and nations.
Psa. 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death
of his saints.
4 For Gaza
shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at
the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
Radak tells us, “This verse mentions the four main Philistine
cities. God’s wrath will be poured out against them, as well, on the Day of
Judgment.”
5 Woe unto
the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of
the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even
destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the
borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of
the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the
Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
6 And the
sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed
thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for
the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
Radak says that, “The Jewish people, portrayed here as sheep
of a flock. V.8-9 (Ezk 45:1-25; 47:13-48:35).
Taking v.4-7 as a whole we see that Philistia is the first
pagan nation to be addressed; Goliath’s people who are now extinct. Yet a
conglomeration of Arabs have adopted the name, “Palestinians,” and just as
Judah will be judged first, I believe Judah’s closest neighbors and enemies
will be next as it was then, even so today.
1 Peter 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin
at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be]
of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Notice Gaza then and now has been in dispute and contention.
A day is coming when it will be Israel’s forever more. Actually, this
Philistine/Palestinian occupied territory will be that ark of safety.
