Those Who Say “The Lord Won’t Do Anything” – Zeph 1
And it shall come to pass at that time, That I will search Jerusalem with candles, And punish the men that are settled on their lees: That say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Zephaniah 1:12
Things seemed to be going well in Judah. Though they had seriously gone astray under King Manasseh, they were experiencing some reforms under King Josiah. Politically, they were able to expand due to the waning power of the Assyrians. So, everyone was feeling pretty good about the country.
But all was not well. And Zephaniah is God’s Word of warning to His people. He wanted them to know that judgment was coming because of their persistent idolatry and lack of heartfelt love for the Lord.
Some were still worshipping stars and constellations. Some were incorporating idolatry into worship of God. And others had turned away from the Lord altogether (v.5-6).
Despite their lack of real revival, they had a complacent attitude toward spiritual things. They were settled and told themselves that God would not do good or evil. They were indifferent to the things of God (v.12).
But God wanted them to know that the day of judgment was near (v.14). Soon, they would face God’s wrath and a time of trouble, distress, desolation, darkness, alarm, and death (v.14-17). When that day came, no amount of money could save them (v.18).
I wonder if we have similar complacent feelings? Do we only half-heartedly serve the Lord? Do we deny that any real judgment will happen? Do we think God has forgotten? May this book awaken us to the reality of the nearness of God’s judgment. Time is short. We must get serious about the things of God. And men must repent and believe on Jesus.