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Zephaniah 1 - 3

The prophet sent to be give ill news to those who show God contempt. To Hod, vengeance is his.

(NIV)Zephaniah 1:4
“I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place, the very names of the idolatrous priests---

(NIV)Zephaniah 1:12
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.’

This is a warning against thinking God is forever silent. For God is giving plainly giving us a chance to repent and come back to him.

(NIV)Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Foe even the righteous are not guaranteed safety from God's anger. We must continuously fight for our salvation.

(NIV)Zephaniah 3:1-2
Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! [2] She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God.

We are labelled rebellious if we cannot accept corrections and trust God with our lives. I'm sometimes like that and need to realise that God is not happy with me.

(NIV)Zephaniah 3:9
“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

For God's plan hasn't changed: purification is preceded by repentance. If must all strive to ho through the pain of change before we can be accepted in his presence.

(NIV)Zephaniah 3:12
But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.

And that's what God requires.

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