Sofonias 1

Sofonias 1

Vernon McGee - If you think that this is just the wild raving of a fundamentalist preacher, you are wrong. Let me quote an excerpt from an editorial in a major metropolitan newspaper a number of years ago. Speaking of the failure of the churches to present any spiritual message whatsoever, the editorial concluded: This betrayal of Christ in the name of Christianity is one reason for the moral and spiritual malaise with which this country is afflicted. The melancholy fact is that the churches no longer influence the development of national character. People go to church mainly because of an impulse to participate in a service of worship, not because of any spiritual guidance they expect from the clergyman. What a note of condemnation this is! This is true not just of our nation but of every nation. The historian Gibbon concluded that there were five reasons for the decline and fall of Rome. Gibbon was not a Christian, but here is why he says Rome fell: (1) The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society. (2) Higher and higher taxes; the spending of public money for free bread and circuses for the populace. (3) The mad craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more exciting, more brutal, more immoral. (4) The building of great armaments when the great enemy was within; the decay of individual responsibility. (5) The decay of religion, fading into mere form, losing touch with life, losing power to guide the people. The message of Zephaniah carries out this scriptural principle of human government, and he puts his finger right down on the sore spot in the southern kingdom of Judah—idolatry. Zephaniah saw what was happening. The people were now on the toboggan; they were on the way down and out, and judgment was coming. Idolatry is where every great nation has gone off the track. When a nation departs from the living and true God or when it gives up great moral principles which were based on religion, when it goes into idolatry, these factors eventually lead it into gross immorality and into political anarchy. The interesting thing is that three kinds of idolatry, I believe, are mentioned to us here. “I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place.” The first form of idolatry is the worship of Baal which was introduced into the northern kingdom by Jezebel whose father was the high priest of the worship among the Sidonians. In the southern kingdom, the worship of Baal was popularized and the altars of Baal were rebuilt during the reign of Manasseh. This is an instance which illustrates why it would be wonderful to study at the same time the corresponding portions of the prophetic and historical books of Scripture. At this point it would be helpful to read the background of the reign of Manasseh (see 2 Kings 21; 2 Chron. 33). No king ever departed as far from God as this man did. He reintroduced the worship of Baal, which was a very immoral form of worship. Along with the worship of Baal was worship of Astoreth. When the female principal is introduced in deity, you have gross immorality; and that, of course, came into the life of the nation during this period. Baal worship was a form, therefore, of nature worship and was very crude indeed. When Josiah became king (he was a good king), the first thing he did was to try to remove the worship of Baal. “And the name of the Chemarims with the priests.”—Chemarims actually means “black priests”—they wore black garments. Have you noticed that those who engage in the worship of Satan today don black garments? It is quite interesting that it is not original with them. It comes all the way down from these idolatrous priests who wore black robes. Zephaniah says that these priests are to be judged. (SEE Thru the Bible: The Prophets Zephaniah/Haggai) Zephaniah 1:10 “On that day,” declares the LORD, “There will be the sound of a cry from the Fish Gate, A wail from the Second Quarter, And a loud crash from the hills. Legacy Standard Bible - “And it will be in that day,” declares Yahweh, “That there will be the sound of a cry from the Fish Gate And a wail from the Second Quarter And a great destruction from the hills. NET 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. in: Zep 1:7,15 Jer 39:2 the noise: Isa 22:4,5 59:11 Jer 4:19-21,31 Am 8:3 the fish gate: 2Ch 33:14 Ne 3:3 the second: 2Ki 22:14 2Ch 32:22 from: 2Sa 5:7,9 2Ch 3:1 DESCRIPTION OF DAY OF YAHWEH IS CONTINUED On that day,” declares the LORD, “There will be the sound of a cry from the Fish Gate (cf. 2 Chr 33:14; Neh 3:3; 12:39) - What day? This is the near fulfillment of the Day of the LORD. All parts of the city will be affected. The Fish Gate, known today as the Damascus Gate, is located on the North side and was the gate through which Nebuchadnezzar entered the city. The Fish Gate received its name from its proximity to the fish market where fish was brought from the Lake of Tiberias and the Jordan River. Note the vocalizations associated with the Day of Yahweh! Not rejoicing but "the sound of a cry," and a "wail" (v9,10), in addition to a "loud crash (a great crashing sound)." Ponder these emotions and effects of the Day of the Lord for a moment. These have transpired in Jerusalem when they were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, but even worse they will one day occur throughout the entire world when Yahweh's wrath is fully fulfilled as described especially in Revelation 6-19. John Walton -Fish Gate. Jerusalem had many gates to serve its various quarters. The Fish Gate provided an entrance through the northern wall just to the west of the Tower of Hananel (Neh 12:38-39). Archaeological excavations confirm that it opened upon a ridge leading from the temple enclosure to the Benjamite plateau. Its name probably derives from the presence of a fish market established there by Tyrian merchants (see Neh 3:3) (page 795 IVP Bible Background Commentary: OT) A wail from the Second Quarter (2Ch 34:22) The Second Quarter was a district within the city walls. NET NOTE - This may refer to an area northwest of the temple where the rich lived. Charles Feinberg - The second quarter was the second district of the city on the hill Acra, where Huldah the prophetess lived (2 Ki 22:14). Along with the crying from the fish gate and the wailing from the second quarter will be joined a crashing from the hills, Zion, Moriah, and Ophel, within the walls. The verse indicates the progress of the enemy until they occupy the prominent positions of the city. (SEE The Minor Prophets) And a loud crash from the hills - Meaning is uncertain but Jerusalem was built on hills so could refer to entire city. Verses 10-11 describe the actual route the Babylonians would take as they came through Jerusalem in the invasion. Fish Gate (NW corner) > Second Quarter > Mortar (section of Jerusalem in a hollow bowl shaped area) -> The Fish Gate, opened into the northern end of the Tyrophoeon Valley (cf. 2 Chr 33:14; Neh. 3:3) just W of the Tower of Hananel & was the gate through which Nebuchadnezzar entered the city. It was given its name because of its proximity to the fish market. It was probably near the present day Damascus Gate (Neh. 3:3; 12:39). SECOND (New) QUARTER:The "Second Quarter" was so called because it had been recently added to the city. Huldah the prophetess lived there (2Ki 22:14). The New Quarter was northwest of the temple area. The meaning of the hills is uncertain. They could refer to the whole city, or the hills (Moriah, Ophel, etc) on which Jerusalem was erected, or the hills surrounding the lower portion of the city (cf. Jer. 31:39). A cry and wailing . . . and a loud crash would go up from these areas because of the loss of lives as Nebuchadnezzar progressed through the city. Bible Knowledge Commentary - To emphasize the thought that God’s judgment would fall on every segment of Jewish society, Zephaniah noted that lamentations would arise from every quarter of Jerusalem (cf. the words “all who live in Jerusalem,” v. 4)....A cry and wailing … and a loud crash would go up from these areas because of the loss of lives as Nebuchadnezzar progressed through the city. (Borrow Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old Testament) John Walton -New Quarter. This section of Jerusalem was created when Hezekiah built the first defensive wall around the western hills of the city (2 Chron 32:5). Manasseh apparently repaired these walls during his reign (2 Chron 33:14). Avigad’s excavations have disclosed a seventh-century wall over 225 feet long and 24 feet thick. It may have surrounded the entire western hill, providing additional protection to the northern section of the city.(page 795 IVP Bible Background Commentary: OT) Zephaniah 1:11 “Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar, For all the people of Canaan will be silenced; All who weigh out silver will be cut off. Legacy Standard Bible - “Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar, For all the people of Canaan will be silenced; All who weigh out silver will be cut off. NET Wail, you who live in the market district, for all the merchants will disappear and those who count money will be removed. Howl: Jer 4:8 25:34 Eze 21:12 Joe 1:5,13 Zec 11:2,3 Jas 5:1 all the: Ne 3:31,32 Ho 12:7,8 Joh 2:16 Rev 18:11-18 THE BUSINESS DISTRICT SINGLED OUT Wail (yalal), O inhabitants of the Mortar - Mortar (Maktesh) means a district of Jerusalem lying in a hollow and was a name applied to the Valley of Siloam from its shape and was a district where merchants carried on business. Dishonest merchants who have grown wealthy through their wicked practices are warned. The name “Mortar” evokes the image of a bowl used for grinding grain, suggesting a hollow or basin-like area of the city. Zephaniah calls its inhabitants to wail or lament because the economic life of the city would soon collapse under God’s judgment. NET NOTE - The Hebrew term מַכְתֵּשׁ (makhtesh, “mortar”) is apparently here the name of a low-lying area where economic activity took place. For all the people of Canaan (you who live in the market district) will be silenced; All who weigh out silver will be cut off - The phrase “people of Canaan” here does not primarily refer to the ancient ethnic Canaanites but is used figuratively to describe merchants or traders. Because the Canaanites were historically known for commerce, the term became synonymous with businessmen and traders. Their "stock market" would utterly, completely crash! There is no escape except jumping out the window to one's death! One is reminded of the warning of James 5:1+ "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you." NET NOTE on "for all merchants" - Or perhaps “Canaanites.” Cf. BDB 489 s.v. I and II כְּנַעֲנִי. Translators have rendered the term either as “the merchant people” (KJV, NKJV), “the traders” (NRSV), “merchants” (NEB, NIV), or, alternatively, “the people of Canaan” (NASB). All who weigh out silver will be cut off - Weighing silver was the common method of measuring money in ancient commerce. This phrase refers to wealthy merchants and money handlers who profited from trade. Zephaniah warns that these financially powerful individuals would be cut off, meaning they would be removed or destroyed when God’s judgment came upon the city. Bible Knowledge Commentary - In the Tyropean Valley, running north to south and separating the city east and west, the merchants plied their trade with silver and grew rich through usury. Because they took advantage of others, God would judge them and they would be ruined (Borrow Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old Testament) NET NOTE - Heb “be cut off.” In the Hebrew text of v. 11b the perfect verbal forms emphasize the certainty of the judgment, speaking of it as if it were already accomplished. John Walton -market district. As each district of Jerusalem is called upon in turn to lament, the Mortar or market district in the western section of the city takes up the wail. Based on the Hebrew word maktesh (bowl or mortar; see Prov 27:22), it was probably located in one of the folds or depressions within the Tyropoeon Valley and was enclosed within the city walls in the seventh century. (page 795 IVP Bible Background Commentary: OT) Judah had become materially prosperous but spiritually corrupt. The people trusted in wealth and commerce rather than in the LORD. Zephaniah therefore warns that the coming “day of the LORD” would silence the noise of commerce and strip away the false security people placed in money and trade. In essence, the prophet declares: those who trusted in wealth and economic power would find their prosperity suddenly ended when God’s judgment fell on Jerusalem. Wail (howl) (03213) yalal is a verb that means to howl with loud crying and shrill shouting sounds of sorrow. To howl with a wailing tone. This verb is found only in the prophets and most often in the context of divine judgment, especially the coming Day of the Lord. Thus it is not surprising that this verb is often used as an expression of mourning, distress or dismay! Zephaniah 1:12 “It will come about at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And I will punish the men Who are stagnant in spirit, Who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good or evil!’ Legacy Standard Bible - “And it will be at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And I will punish the men Who are stagnant in spirit, Who say in their hearts, ‘Yahweh will not do good or evil!’ NET 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.' that I: Jer 16:16,17 Am 9:1-3 Ob 1:6 the men: Jer 48:11 Am 6:1 Rev 2:23 stagnant: Heb. curded, or thickened The LORD: Job 21:15 Ps 10:11-13 14:1 94:7 Isa 5:19 Jer 10:5 Eze 8:12 9:9 Mal 3:14,15 2Pe 3:4 GOD'S JUDGMENT SEARCHES EVERYWHERE! This verse describes how God will thoroughly expose and judge the spiritual complacency of Judah during the coming Day of the LORD. The imagery and language emphasize God’s careful investigation and His judgment on those who have become spiritually indifferent. It will come about at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps - No one would escape the punishment of the Lord (cf Amos 9:1–4). Numbers 32:23 says "you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out." The imagery of searching with lamps portrays a careful and thorough investigation. In ancient cities, lamps were used to search dark houses or hidden places. The picture is that nothing in Jerusalem will escape God’s scrutiny. God will examine every corner of the city and every heart. A similar idea appears elsewhere in Scripture Jer 16:17 “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face.” Hebrews 4:13 There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him.” The point is clear: God’s judgment is deliberate and thorough—no one can hide from Him. Walter Kaiser - As Jeremiah searched Jerusalem for one righteous person (Jer. 5:1), so God will comb every nook and cranny of Jerusalem until He has rooted out every individual who doesn’t believe that He, the Lord, is in charge of His world. The comfortable, the well-to-do, the blasphemer, the idolater—all will be punished! (See all three excellent chapters - Preacher's Commentary) Secret sin on earth is open scandal in Heaven! Josephus wrote about a later invasion in which the city’s aristocracy were literally dragged from the sewer system where they hid for fear of death. And I will punish (paqad) the men Who are stagnant in spirit - NET = "I will punish the people who are entrenched in their sin." Spiritual sluggishness will not receive a pass in the Day of Yahweh. The phrase stagnant in spirit comes from imagery related to wine that has been left undisturbed on its sediment (lees). When wine sits too long without being poured off, it becomes thick, dull, and stale. Thus the phrase describes people who have become spiritually complacent, morally indifferent and even comfortable in their sin (as when the conscience becomes seared). They are settled in spiritual apathy, unmoved by God’s warnings which His servants the prophets are continually declaring. Charles Feinberg - The punishment will fall after such a search upon those settled on their lees, a figure which is proverbial for indifference and slothfulness (Jer 48:11). Hard crust forms on the surface of fermented liquors when they are not disturbed over a period of time. Thus settled in their carelessness, they deny God’s governing providence in the universe, His activity and agency in the world, as though He brought about neither good nor calamity. For such wickedness and impudence God will bring upon them the curses of the Law: they would enjoy neither their wealth nor their houses and vineyards. (See Lev 26:32-33; Deu 28:30, 39; Amos 5:11; and Mic 6:15.) (SEE The Minor Prophets) Moody Bible Commentary - The phrase stagnant in spirit is literally “thick in their sediment” and derives from an expression about wine that fermented too long so that it became thick or syrupy, and thus unpalatable. It indicates men who have become spiritually stuck, unmoved, unconcerned, and unaffected by the circumstances surrounding them. These say in their hearts, even as people say today, that the LORD will not do good or evil, meaning that God does not care what people do or how they live (Dt 29:19; Jb 15:31; Ps 30:6; Is 28:15; 31:1; Jr 17:5; 23:17; Am 6:1, 3). But the Lord did care, and judgment would come so that their wealth would be plundered and they would not enjoy the homes and vineyards they had made for themselves (v. 13). NET NOTE - "Heb “who thicken on their sediment.” The imagery comes from wine making, where the wine, if allowed to remain on the sediment too long, will thicken into syrup. The image suggests that the people described here were complacent in their sinful behavior and interpreted the delay in judgment as divine apathy." Bible Knowledge Commentary - The analogy of wine left on its dregs (NIV) suggests that the nation had become spiritually polluted. Wine allowed to ferment for a long time forms a hard crust and the liquid becomes syrupy, bitter, and unpalatable. Instead of removing the dregs of daily pollution, Judah had become hardened and indifferent to God. Zephaniah described the people’s indifference and slothfulness toward God. Their indifference led them to regard God as morally indifferent. So great was her degeneration that the people did not even believe that Yahweh did as much as their self-made images. Pagan idolaters accorded their numerous deities the power of judging wrong and vindicating right. But the Jews at that time had such a low view of Yahweh that they believed He could not keep either His promises or His threats: He will do nothing, either good or bad. Their own spiritual complacency led them to think the Lord was complacent. (Borrow Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old Testament) Who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good or evil!’ - Talk about the self-deception of sin (cf "deceitfulness of sin" Heb 3:13+)! This phrase shows that their problem was not merely outward behavior but inward belief. They became functional (dysfunctional) ''deists'' (What is deism?) thinking God is not concerned with their sin. He won't intervene in human affairs. Though they may have still practiced religion outwardly, in their hearts they had dismissed God’s active involvement in the world. Walter Kaiser - In their boredom and apathy, the cynical citizens and leaders of Zephaniah’s day doubted that God would do either good or bad; He was a paper tiger who frequently threatened, but never did anything. (See all three excellent chapters - Preacher's Commentary) People begin living as if God neither sees nor acts. LORD will not do good or evil reveals their false theology. They believed God was inactive or indifferent, that He neither blesses nor judges. In other words, they assumed God would not intervene, God would not judge sin and God would not reward righteousness. Such a spiritually sick mindset produced moral indifference. It is similar to the attitude described in: Psalm 10:11 “He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He has hidden His face.’” 2 Peter 3:4 “Where is the promise of His coming?” 🙏 THOUGHT - When you get into sin your soul will soon be stagnated and you will act as if God doesn't care what happens and won't respond to evil. Wrong!!!! Memorize Hebrews 3:13+ and then practice it in the power of the Spirit! John Butler - WARNING Zephaniah 1:12 - Sermon Starters “It shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles [lamps], and punish the men that are settled on their lees that say in their heart, the LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil” (Zephaniah 1:12). Zephaniah saw through the insincerity of many in the revival under Josiah the King, and gave a warning of coming judgment. FIRST—THE SURENESS IN THE WARNING “It shall come to pass at that time.” This is the language of certainty. Two things emphasize the certainty of the judgment. • The statement. “It shall come to pass.” It is not ‘maybe’ or ‘possibly’ but “shall.” It is Divine certainty. • The season. “At that time.” This refers to the “day of the Lord” (Zephaniah 1:7). “The day of the Lord” involves a number of prophetic events, but mostly it speaks of judgment. God can predict with accuracy the very time of judgment. SECOND—THE SEARCHING IN THE WARNING “I will search Jerusalem with candled [lamps]” God never brings judgment without examination. He investigates to ascertain the situation accurately before He takes action (cp Genesis 18:21). • The city for the investigation. “Jerusalem.” This was considered the holy city, it had many spiritual privileges, yet there was so much sin in the city that it was targeted for judgment. Privilege does not exempt from judgement but misused it will intensify it. • The character of the investigation. “Search … candles.” This was a thorough investigation. God does not do things in a haphazard way like men often do. When He investigates for judgment you can count on it being very thorough. Nothing will be concealed. No evidence suppressed etc. like our corrupt courts do today. “Candles” means lamps. The word “candles” is a bad translation. THIRD—THE SENTENCE IN THE WARNING “Punish the men that are settled on their lees that say in their heart, the LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.” Note four things about this sentence. • The crowd for the sentence. “Punish the men that are settled on their lees.” The guilty are the ones punished, not the innocent. God is fair, unlike the courts of our land. • The character of the sentence. “Punish.” The sentence was severe. “Punish” speaks of troops of an army conquering. That is what Babylon’s army did to Jerusalem. • The conduct for the sentence. “Settled on lees.” A carnal contentment. Not concerned about sin. • The contemplation for the sentence. “That say without their heart, the LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.” They think God is unconcerned about the sin in the land. Thus they dishonor the holiness of God. F B