As Zeph 1:1-18 declares God's wrath on Judah, Zeph 2:1-15 makes known God's wrath on the nations. See the chart of the book of Zephaniah.
Repentance is Still Possible (Zeph 1:1-3)
While sin is a universal human problem, God still shows grace to those who repent. God calls his own people to "gather together" though they were a shameless (ESV), shameful (NIV) nation (Zeph 2:1), since their actions contradicted their profession of piety. This call to hear severe warnings (Isa 34:1; Jer 4:5; Joel 2:15,16;3:11) is not a threat but an act of divine mercy and grace because they are designed to elicit repentance before it is too late (Zeph 2:2). This is God's plea: "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" (Zeph 2:3). Though the nation is apostate there are a few who rely on God rather than on themselves. They are the "humble and lowly" (Zeph 3:12; Matt 5:3). They realize their desperate need to turn beyond themselves for help. God expresses his grace and sovereignty with the word "perhaps." God is like the landowner who loves his tenants after they had killed his prior servants, saying, "I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him" (Luke 20:13; Mark 12:6).
The Nations, Including Judah, Warned (Zeph 2:4-3:8)
As in Amos's prophecy (Amos 1:3-2:3), the judgment prophecy first focuses on Israel's neighbors and enemies--Philistines, Moab and Amnon, Assyria--(Zeph 2:4-7,8-11,12-15), whom Judah would have heartily joined in condemning. Only then do the people of Judah feel the focus turning on themselves (Zeph 3:1-7), being just as sinful before the same just God. God's people cannot think that they will emerge unscathed on the day of the Lord. If they sin (Zeph 3:1-4) and are shameless (Zeph 3:5), they are also held accountable, especially if they lack repentance (Zeph 3:6,7).
Practical Application: In my sin, I'm totally completely helpless. Lord, have mercy. Jesus is all I need, and Jesus is all I want.
God's broken heart: "Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger" (Zeph 2:3). "I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him" (Luke 20:13).
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