Today’s verse reflects the very epitome of current thought. In one way, anyhow. Let me show you what I mean. In Zephaniah 1:12 the Lord makes this observation: “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.”

Wow!

God is “punishing” once again, “paqad” being the Hebrew verb employed here. It means “to attend to, to visit, to count, to judge.” In other words, nothing escapes God’s attention! He evaluates everything!

God, calling men to give an “account” of their deeds!

Then … God on a “search,” what a thought! “Chaphas” at least 7 times in the Bible means “to disguise oneself.” Once it’s translated “hidden.” God, The Investigator!

But why are these men in such trouble?

Number one … they have become so complacent. Satisfied, in “perfect” shape. Not caring about the deplorable (spiritual) conditions in which they live. “Settled on their lees,” like wine left too long in one position. Not being “shaken” very often. I’ve read that a hard crust forms over wine when it is left undisturbed for protracted periods of time, rendering it nearly useless. (Jeremiah 48:11 gives a fuller example of this anomaly. “Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” Graphic!)

I fear America has become way too “settled,” not much “disturbed.”

And number two … the people had developed a lackadaisical view of God. He was then seen as a “No-Hands” God, withdrawn from everyday life! “They say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.” In other words, God does not care about human activity. He is totally “neutral!”

Right and Wrong … the words no longer held any meaning!

Folks, that philosophy alone invites God’s punishment, eventually anyway.

What an ancient verse of Scripture, Zephaniah 1:12 (now 2,600 years old at least) … yet how very modern (the year 2016 as I write) and contemporary!

And mankind still commits these sins … prodigiously.

God, help us.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell