Isaiah did this.
So did Jeremiah.
And Amos as well.
Among other Old testament Prophets … pronouncing severe judgment on the Nations surrounding Israel, because of their hatred for God’s special people.
And our little Preacher, Zephaniah, does too!
Truthfully … Zephaniah 2 is a chapter loaded with such (righteously) bombastic material!
Today the intensity is directed toward both Moab and Ammon, to the east of Judah. Let’s see the Scripture now, the whole paragraph. “I (the Lord) have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border. Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them. This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts. The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.” Zephaniah 2:8-11
Talk about a far ranging set of sentences!
Moab and Ammon (nations descended from the sinful, incestuous relationship that Lot’s 2 Daughters had with their drunken Father) were Jew haters from day one. They “reproached” and “reviled” the Israelites, terribly. “To taunt and scorn” … translates the Hebrew verb for “reproach. And “talk against, blaspheme” … the Hebrew definitions for “revile.” Constantly harassing Israel, with border skirmishes and such. Aggravation no end!
And God saw it all!
And has decreed that these two little Nations will become (they already have now) like Sodom and Gomorrah! Waste lands! Furthermore, the remaining Jews (just a remnant) will possess any habitable land once belonging to these reprobates. Remember our text: “Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.”
Because of the sin of pride, which led to such hateful treatment of God’s people.
Then our verses today end with a sweeping, summary statement: The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship Him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.”
We’ve now segued into the far future. The Tribulation and past … the Millennium really! Where our Lord Jesus Christ will indeed be worshipped universally. Where Satan and all his minions will have met their doom.
Where, to use Isaiah’s words: “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9
And then Habakkuk 2:14 picks up the refrain. “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
The little old Testament Prophets often do this, first showing a local, nearer time of judgment. Then zooming outward and showing the ultimate world-wide Victory that’s some day coming … through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Well written, Zephaniah!
Did you have help? Make that … Help … with a Capital “H” please.
Yes, the Holy Spirit Himself!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell