(REFLECTIONS ON Zephaniah 2:1-15)

North, south, east, west, the judgment of the Lord upon the nations surrounding Judah named in today’s Scripture. And yet, in the midst of this judgment, there is a promise of restoration for the remnant of Judah, “For their God will care for them and restore their fortune.”

Yes, there is a promise of restoration for Judah, and that restoration takes place in the midst of the Lord’s judgment upon the nations surrounding them. This is a reminder that what happens to Judah is not just a simple matter of a people and their God, but is related to the world and God’s judgment for all of creation.

This reminds us that our life as God’s people, through the sanctification of Jesus Christ, and by the work of the Holy Spirit, is not just about us and God in a spiritual redemption, but also impacts the physical world and life that surrounds us as well.

We are not to be isolated and live in a vacuum apart from the world, but there is an interesting prayer in today’s Scripture about being “hidden” in the day of the Lord’s anger and not just “removed.”

3 Seek the Lord,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger.

We are to seek the Lord, His righteousness, and humility. As we continue living, surrounded north, south, east, west by the world, we are to seek the Lord, His righteousness, and humility, and perhaps we will be hidden as the Lord’s judgment comes upon the world.

What does it mean to be hidden? Again, it isn’t about being taken away, but the image that comes to my mind is being “passed over.” Yes, this brings about images in Egypt, when the angel of death came against the Egyptians, but the Israelites were “passed over,” if they trusted in the Lord.

The Passover is a reminder of how the Lord ‘passed over’ the Israelites and delivered them from judgment, beginning a new life for His people. And that story points us forward to the Lord’s greater work of redemption, restoration, and new creation.

Yes, those that seek the Lord, His righteousness, and humility, have hope of being hidden by the Lord from judgment, and live in the new life available to the world through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit.

Let us then seek the Lord, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, seek His righteousness, and trust humbly that He is the giver of grace, mercy, and life for all that are willing to place their lives in His hands.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Zephaniah 2