- Chapters: [[Zephaniah 2]]:4 to [[Zephaniah 3]]:8 # Contradictions - middle of prophesy composed of patchwork of six poems - what exactly is the middle? different from the beauty of the lord in the last section and the warnings in the beginning - "Judgement and hope and enigma" -- a puzzle - sparks of hope keep flying in the air in the midst of judgement - neither part can be denied: the judgement cannot be denied, but neither can the hope! # Judgement - see the titles across this section: [[Philistia]], [[Moab]] and [[Ammon]], [[Cush]], [[Assyria]], [[Jerusalem]] - most [[Prophet]]s will have a section like this, pronouncing judgement on surrounding nations - we begin in the west in [[Philistia]] - note the mention of [[Gaza]]. there is no way to justify modern day events with passages like this. [[Zephaniah]] writes on judgement for all nations - no rationale listed for this section, but is mentioned in the next section of [[Moab]] and [[Ammon]] in the east: [[God]] will not endure human pride - paraphrasing: you ([[Moab]]ites and [[Ammon]]ites) are so inflated with pride that you are spilling into the border of my people - [[Cush]] (in the south) section is super short (one verse), but focuses on destruction - Then [[Assyria]] too is judged. **All four compass directions are covered. Global judgement** - [[Assyria]]'s section is long and of particular note. - See their boast in v. 15 "I am the one!". Echoing the name of [[Yahweh]] -- humanity challenging who is that who is - Prideful "my way or the highway" attitude - [[Zephaniah 3]] then goes on to discuss [[Jerusalem]]. The title header in the [[NIV]] spoils that a bit, but in the text it's a bit of a surprise. One would thing they're still discussing [[Nineveh]] - The section in v.6-8 makes it more explicit. See v. 7 "Surely you will fear me and accept correction!" - But they of all people have become most liable for corruption - Going around the surrounding nations earlier than emphasizes the "bullseye" hit of admonishing [[Israel]] themselves # Hope - Let's backtrack to [[Zephaniah 2]]:7 "That land will belong to the remnant of the people of [[Judah]]". Similarly in v. 9: "the survivors of my nation will inherit their land" - Despite the direct admonishing of [[Jerusalem]], there is still a hope for the future, people to live on - v. 3 (paraphrase) "the meek shall inherit the earth" - v. 11 is most applicable to our current context: "Distant nations will bow down to him, all of them in their own lands" - [[Zephaniah 3]]:8 "Therefore wait for me, declares the Lord" - Judgement is poured out, but it is poured out to release all who trust in him - Judgement cannot be denied; in the cross of [[Christ]] it is not denied but fulfilled - And hope cannot be denied; in the cross of [[Christ]] it is established and cannot be taken away - "Wait for me" -- stay trusting in the [[Lord]], don't give up. Because no-one who waits for him will be disappointed