Certainly, Zephaniah is a Book of Judgment. In its initial emphasis, anyway.
And I believe this judgment has a twofold view, as well. Both a more local fulfillment (a literal catastrophe which occurred a few years after Zephaniah lived and ministered), known now as the Babylonian invasion and captivity. Plus a longer range fulfillment (yet future as I write this lesson), known as the Tribulation (seven years of horror on planet earth).
Then … no doubt today’s verses have both already been experienced by Judah … and will yet again be lived by the Jews some future day.
Now the text: “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills. Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.” Zephaniah 1:10-11
This is an attack on the financial arm of the little Nation. Her “merchants,” a noun linked to the Bible word “Canaanite!” Simply spelled “kenaan.” Folks who buy and sell, folks who “treasure” silver and gold! (The Bible is not against commerce per se, but constantly warns against an out-of-proportion “love” of money!)
Notice the appositive (a re-stating of some term, a further explanation) in verse 11. Her “merchants,” matched immediately by her “silver bearers!”
The “fish gate” is an actual (archaeologically confirmed) location on the north side of Jerusalem. Near the “fish market” it is thought. The “hills” and the “second” are places harder to identify, but no doubt accurate geographical depictions. This is an invasion from the north! A noisy one! War always is.
And “Maktesh” just indicates “a deep hollow,” some lower part of the city. The actual word is a noun meaning “mortar,” a sort of shallow bowl shape.
This this history?
For sure.
As in 586 BC.
Is this (still) yet future?
Yes!
As I said, during the Tribulation.
Israel will again be attacked … specifically from the north!
And the goal of all this militarism?
TO BRING GOD’S PEOPLE BACK TO HIM!
TO DISCOURAGE THEIR WORSHIPPING THE IDOLS OF THE WORLD!
TO CREATE A CLEAN NATION, FREELY ADORING OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!
ULTIMATELY, TO ABUNDANTLY BLESS ISRAEL!
TO ALLOW HER TO FULFILL THE VERY REASON SHE WAS CREATED!
To which we must all say, “Amen!”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
To our students, readers of this Zephaniah Series of Lessons … as opportunity presents itself … read the little Book of Zephaniah a few times. Doing so will help you tremendously in seeing the general trajectory of the Prophet’s thoughts. And make these morning articles much more interesting, too.