Zephaniah 2:1-15

2:1-3 | The day of the LORD’s anger is a time of justice and mercy, when He intervenes not only to judge the wicked but also to deliver the righteous (you will be hidden). God never forgets those who continue to seek Him humbly and promote what is right within a corrupt society (Ps. 105:4 Amos 5:14-15).

2:1 | God very rarely refers to the Israelite nation as an object (nation), but Judah’s lifestyle was no different from those of the pagan nations.

2:4-7 | Zephaniah prophesies the destruction of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron – four of Philistia’s five major cities – in order from south to north as warning and potential catalyst for Judah’s repentance. These cities would be destroyed at noonday, meaning “suddenly” (Jer. 15:8); it would take less than half a day to utterly destroy the nation.

2:8-11 | Sin always creates a therefore, Moab and Ammon, historical foes of Israel, were descended from lot and settled east of the Jordan River. Because of their ongoing hostility toward God’s people, their judgment would resemble Sodom and Gomorrah’s; their territories would become a wasteland.

2:12-15 | After describing how God’s judgment would fall on cities to the west and east of Judah, the prophet next announces that it will also fall on the Ethiopians to the south and to the mighty Assyrians to the north. No point of the compass is left out.

2:15 | Assyria’s devastation was tied to her claim of self-sufficiency, expressed here in language that is the opposite of the First Commandment. Although those who try to usurp the Lord’s position may be temporarily exalted on earth, their ultimate end will be judgment (Rev. 18:7).