Judgment on Judah’s Enemies
May 22, 2020
Commentary
Yesterday’s passage was about the Lord’s judgment on Philistia. Today’s passage is about the Lord’s judgment on Moab and Ammon (vv. 8-11), Cush (v. 12), and Assyria (vv. 13-15):
The Origins of Moab and Ammon can be found in Genesis 19. The Lord, having decided to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, sent two of his angels into the city of Sodom to bring out Lot, the nephew of Abraham, along with his wife and two daughters. But Lot’s wife, looking back, was killed, and Lot’s daughters, driven to desperation, decided their best option was to get their father drunk so they could sleep with him and beget offspring from him. Moab and Ben-ammi were the result, and these two became the fathers of the Moabites and the Ammonites, two nations ever opposed to Israel, God’s chosen people. But the Lord promised that their taunts would come to an end (v. 8). Their ancient ancestors had escaped the destruction of Sodom and Gomorroh, but in the end, the same judgment would catch up with them (v. 9). Their false gods would be judged as well (v. 11).
Cush, or Ethiopia, refers to those living along the western shores of the Red Sea, south of Egypt. However, at various times in Egypt’s history, the Cushites spread their influence, gaining control over Egypt. Therefore, this judgment may be applied to Egypt as well as Cush (v. 12). The Cushites and the Egyptians would be defeated in battle repeatedly in the coming decades: by the Babylonians, the Greeks, and the Romans.
Assyria, with its capital in Nineveh, was Israel’s powerful enemy to the north. They would be destroyed, left in ruins, a home of wild animals (vv. 13-15). No one was going to miss them.
Application
Judah had been taunted and mocked by its neighboring nations of Moab and Ammon, but God heard their insults. At times the whole world seems to mock God and those who have faith in Him. When I am ridiculed, I need to remember that God hears and will answer. Eventually, in God’s timing, justice will be carried out. It is never my place to try to take up revenge but to let God handle it in His own timing and in His own way.
Zephaniah 2:8– 15 (NET)
8 âI have heard Moabâs taunts and the Ammonitesâ insults. They taunted my people and verbally harassed those living in Judah.
9 Therefore, as surely as I live,â says the Lord of Heavenâs Armies, the God of Israel, âbe certain that Moab will become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah. They will be overrun by weeds, filled with salt pits, and permanently desolate. Those of my people who are left will plunder their belongings; those who are left in Judah will take possession of their land.â
10 This is how they will be repaid for their arrogance, for they taunted and verbally harassed the people of the Lord of Heavenâs Armies.
11 The Lord will terrify them, for he will weaken all the gods of the earth. All the distant nations will worship the Lord in their own lands.
12 âYou Ethiopians will also die by my sword!â
13 The Lord will attack the north and destroy Assyria. He will make Nineveh a heap of ruins; it will be as barren as the desert.
14 Flocks and herds will lie down in the middle of it, as well as every kind of wild animal. Owls will sleep in the tops of its support pillars; they will hoot through the windows. Rubble will cover the thresholds; even the cedar work will be exposed to the elements.
15 This is how the once-proud city will end upâ the city that was so secure. She thought to herself, âI am unique! No one can compare to me!â What a heap of ruins she has become, a place where wild animals live! Everyone who passes by her taunts her and shakes his fist.