Day 206, July 25 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Kings 22:1-2; 2Chronicles 34:1-7; Zephaniah
Sweeping Away | Day of the LORD
Sweeping—why do we do it? We sweep because there is clutter or dirt on our floors or sidewalks that needs to be cleared. We also do it for appearance and safety. Sweeping away filth and debris is what God is going to do in a time of judgment called the Day of the LORD. Because there is much confusion about this Day, we will answer many questions about it and then apply the lessons to our lives.
The Day of the LORD is First a Day of Judgment
King Josiah is the last good king of Judah. His father Amon and Grandfather Manasseh led the nation into evil idolatry and child sacrifice. Josiah takes action to reform their country. When he is twenty years old he begins to purge idolatry from the land of Judah and the remnant of Israel. He travels throughout the land destroying and burning idols. Then he kills the priests of the false gods.
It is during this time that Zephaniah and Jeremiah write their books. These prophets warn the people of coming judgment that will sweep them away if they do not remove their idolatry. This aided Josiah's reforms.
Zephaniah describes the Day of the LORD both in near fulfillment and distant fulfillment as a day of judgment (a double prophetical reference is common among many prophecies of the Old Testament).
The great day of the LORD is near-- near and coming quickly…. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers [soldiers were stationed in lookout towers].
I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD's wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth (Zephaniah 1:14-18, NIV).
How would we respond to these words of judgment? Would we try to flee, shift the blame on others, or deceive ourselves into believing it will not happen to us? The last response is that of the residents of Jerusalem (Zephaniah 1:12), but young King Josiah responds differently. He encourages spiritual reformation.
Who will be judged in the Day of the LORD?
God proclaims that all people and animals will be swept away. In Judah's situation (a near and partial fulfillment), this probably refers to the Babylonian conquest of all the nations in and around Israel. In a distant but complete fulfillment, this probably refers to the end times of the earth, Zephaniah 1:1,18). In the times of Noah, a world-wide flood swept away all people and animals, but in the future, fire will sweep away everything (Zephaniah 1:18; 2Peter 3:10-14).
When and With Whom Does This Judgment Start?
The judgment started with the nation of Israel (the northern kingdom). Israel, was judged when Assyria swept her away into captivity. In less than 100 years, the LORD will use Babylon, who recently defeated Assyria, to sweep away the nation of Judah because of her idolatry and extreme wickedness (see the book of Nahum). Babylon will also sweep away Judah’s royalty and leaders. Jerusalem’s business market, wealth, and prosperity will be gone. Judgment will begin with the house of God (his people), and then Babylon will sweep other nations away.
Is There any Hope?
Yes. Zephaniah tells Judah,
Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation, before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you.
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, (Zephaniah 2:1-3, NIV).
While there are no guarantees that righteous Jews will be spared in the Day of the LORD’s wrath, the best chance for any to survive is to immediately repent and turn to the LORD. In the few years before Jerusalem is burned, God graciously spares many, including Daniel and his friends (Daniel 1:1-6). Others are spared from destruction on the day the city is conquered (2Kings 24:11-16), but they are captured. They are swept away from their land, and suffer for seventy years in Babylonian exile.
Do we want to escape God’s wrath? The answer is the same for us today as it was for Judah: see the danger, turn from our sins to God for salvation. We can be saved from God’s eternal wrath by believing in his Son, Jesus Christ, whom God sent to save us (John 3:36). And, if we truly seek the LORD, and live righteously and humbly as Daniel, perhaps when God judges our nation, we, too, may be spared. The LORD can be our shelter in the time of storms.
Is the Day of the LORD Only a Day of Wrath?
No. In a partial fulfillment of this prophecy, God demonstrates his grace and mercy. After seventy years of exile, all willing Israelites are allowed to return to their land, but Israel will be a vassal nation. This is a time of enforced peace.
In the future fulfillment of the Day of the LORD, God’s Son, as a mighty warrior, will come to rescue Israel and defeat her enemies to keep them from annihilating her (Zephaniah 3:17; Revelation 19:11-15). The time of God’s wrath against Israel will end. She will be saved physically and spiritually. Peace, joy, and the removal of all shame and guilt will come for Israel and all the people which survive the future time of the Great Tribulation (Zephaniah 3:14-15,20; Revelation 14:1-5; 21:1-4).
Take-Away Lessons
- Are any of us troubled by the prospect of God’s wrath coming upon us? If we turn to God from our sins, we can receive forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life (more...).
- If we have trusted in Jesus, we have escaped eternal wrath and damnation. We should not, however, let ourselves become complacent. If we live godly, we may escape the judgment coming upon ungodly nations.
- If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we do not have to feel guilty about past sins and rebellion against God. When we confess them to him in genuine remorse, he offers us complete forgiveness.
- We should warn others of the coming wrath and tell them of God's grace and mercy.
- Heaven rejoices when a sinner turns to God for salvation. The LORD will always be with us. He will take great delight in us as we are obedient to him. (Luke 15:7,10,32; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
Focus Verse
Zephaniah 2:3 (NIV) “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.”
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A Look Ahead: We begin the prophecies of Jeremiah. He ministered to the nation of Judah from the days of King Josiah all the way through Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. Our Next Lesson provides Help for Backsliders.
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