The Day of the LORD is Near
November 9, 2020
Commentary
In yesterday’s passage, judgment was declared on those who practiced idolatry and refused to worship the Lord (vv. 4-6). Today’s passage will focus on the more everyday type of sin, the kind of wrongdoing that is so easy for us to ignore. It was customary to summon people to a sacrifice (I Sam. 16:2-5). This time, however, they are gathered to learn their fate (vv.7-8). Punishment is promised for:
1. The officials & the princes (v. 8) – Josiah’s sons did indeed suffer punishment from the Lord (2 Kings 23:31-25:30).
2. Those who wore foreign clothing (v. 8) – God’s people had a dress code that was meant to set them apart from the other nations (Numbers 15:38).
3. Those who “leap over the threshold” (v. 9) – It’s not clear what sin is being condemned here. Possible interpretations include superstition, theft, or idolatry.
4. Those who fill their masters house with violence and fraud (v. 9) – The house being referred to here is likely the temple. The Lord doesn’t want us to bring Him gifts that we took wrongfully from others.
5. Those who are complacent, and thus believe the Lord is also complacent (v. 12) – This is like the modern view of God. Many people believe God exists, but they expect Him to accept everyone just the same regardless of their beliefs. The reality is the exact opposite.
The Fish Gate and the Second Quarter (v. 10) are locations in the northern section of Jerusalem, the direction from which King Nebuchadnezzar would eventually attack. “The great day of the LORD” is described in detail (vv. 14-18). They sinned against the LORD (v. 17) and judgment was the result.
Application
My view of sin is limited by my view of God. We categorize sin as large or small, but God only sees obedience or disobedience.
Zephaniah 1:7– 18 (NET)
7 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the Lord’s day of judgment is almost here. The Lord has prepared a sacrificial meal; he has ritually purified his guests.
8 “On the day of the Lord’s sacrificial meal, I will punish the princes and the king’s sons, and all who wear foreign styles of clothing.
9 On that day I will punish all who leap over the threshold, who fill the house of their master with wealth taken by violence and deceit.
10 On that day,” says the Lord, “a loud cry will go up from the Fish Gate, wailing from the city’s newer district, and a loud crash from the hills.
11 Wail, you who live in the market district, for all the merchants will disappear and those who count money will be removed.
12 At that time I will search through Jerusalem with lamps. I will punish the people who are entrenched in their sin, those who think to themselves, ‘The Lord neither rewards nor punishes.’
13 Their wealth will be stolen and their houses ruined! They will not live in the houses they have built, nor will they drink the wine from the vineyards they have planted.
14 The Lord’s great day of judgment is almost here; it is approaching very rapidly! There will be a bitter sound on the Lord’s day of judgment; at that time warriors will cry out in battle.
15 That day will be a day of God’s anger, a day of distress and hardship, a day of devastation and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and dark skies,
16 a day of trumpet blasts and battle cries. Judgment will fall on the fortified cities and the high corner towers.
17 I will bring distress on the people and they will stumble like blind men, for they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dirt; their flesh will be scattered like manure.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s angry judgment. The whole earth will be consumed by his fiery wrath. Indeed, he will bring terrifying destruction on all who live on the earth.”
Illustration: BB’s Pour From Bottomless Can
An enthusiastic but somewhat unscrupulous salesman was waiting to see the purchasing agent of the engineering firm where my husband worked. The salesman was there to submit his company’s bid, or price quote, for a particular job. He couldn’t help but notice, however, that a competitor’s bid was on the purchasing agent’s desk. Unfortunately, the actual figure was covered by a can of juice. The temptation to see the amount quoted became too much, so the salesman lifted the can. His heart sank as thousands of BB’s pour from the bottomless can and scattered across the floor. (Reader’s Digest)