Bromley Baptist Church – 3 September 2006 – Zephaniah – Making a Difference

When you read the prophets you sometimes get a sense of history making. Even minor prophets are major players - making a difference. Zephaniah is one of these.

Both Zephaniah and Nahum spoke for God after an especially ignominious time in Judah’s history - Manasseh and his son Amon. Manasseh was both in fear of and fascinated by the Assyrians and their cults. He instituted Baal worship again, spiritism and divination. He even brought idols into the temple. Amon supported his dad until his assassination after two years. Nahum’s prophecy is primarily against Nineveh, Zephaniah is the first to break silence in Judah after Manasseh. Most scholars are agreed that his prophecy was the motivating force behind Josiah’s initial reforms, which led to the rediscovery of the book of Deuteronomy and new direction for the reforms.

1. Zephaniah made a difference!

You don’t have to be a major player to make a difference!

Consider Joseph of Cyprus - a little known Levite from a Jewish colony in Cyprus. Possibly converted during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he was an encourager! He was given the nickname Bar-Nabus - son of encouragement. He took Saul under his arm, supported, taught and encouraged him. He was one of the key people who powered the outreach to the Gentiles. When the council of Jerusalem met to discuss the problem they listened to Barnabas and Paul.

I’ve seen small players make a mega difference to major organisations. Les Isaacs, himself unknown until he founded Street Pastors, was inspired by a pastor out in Jamaica - Bobby Wilmot of Trenchtown - home of Bob Marley “I saw Pastor meeting up with guys just casually, there was some violence, some gun shots [which he defused] Because of what was happening, I went to a church meeting and they weren't talking about theological issues they were talking about how to respond to the violence, and I was taken aback because it wasn't like pastors’ meetings that I was used to, this was talking about a real issue which was lethal. So I came back to England, said to church leaders across the city and Birmingham and Manchester and said ‘Look guys we need to do something.’” Les was a small player, but even smaller was Bobby Wilmot - but what a difference he made.

Zephaniah made a difference by being true to God - not by compromise or ignoring reality but by staying true to God!

2. Much of Zephaniah’s prophecy is targeted at specific nations

What are his targets?

Firstly he holds his own kingdom of Judah to account. God doesn’t let you off for being his children, he disciplines you even more thoroughly! - ‘You should know better!’

Paul picks this up in Romans 2. Having the Bible, the prophets, the promise and the Messiah only makes you more responsible for your behaviour and response to Jesus! And so are Christians. Yes, we enjoy salvation, worship, the comfort and life of Jesus and it’s good, BUT we are also under our Father’s discipline and accountable for what we’ve done with His gifts. The parable of the talents is relevant here - when money was given to different members of staff to invest for the master. He arrived back & expected them to have done something with it.

He expects us to have made a difference! However small.

The primary fault in Judah was a total under-estimation of God.

The key verse is Zephaniah 1:12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, 'The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.'

How did they view God?

As indifferent, not bothered with them, turning a blind eye, folding his arms, powerless to do anything.

In chapter 3 - despite watching what God has done to great nations like the Cushites only recently, Jerusalem is still eager to act corruptly in all they did - 3:7.

3:1-2 summarises her rebellion.

Zephaniah issues a wake-up call to his own people - ‘God is active, God is watching, God is expecting much from you.’ He follows it with the warning of the Great Day of the Lord 1:14-15.

What do you think of God?

Baby in the manger? Irrelevant to the 21stC.? A cloud hovering around but incapable of even the slightest shower? Powerless to do anything? The Bible gives a very different picture.

Our God is neither impotent not distant. He is immanent and powerfully active.

The question the Bible constantly asks is not whether God is on your side but whose side are you on?

3. However, Zephaniah knew God was a universal God! Not just God of the Jews.

He includes God’s judgment on nations around them. He specifies

· the Philistines to the west - the old enemy

· Moab and Ammon - near neighbours to the east

· Cush - the Nubians in the far south - only recently a world power, a powerful people ruling Egypt and the north African coast lands and down through Ethiopia

· The Assyrians another world power to the north and East - modern Iraq

The essential point is not specifically to these nations but that no nation under heaven is exempt from accountability. Zephaniah tells us that God expects all nations to seek a different way of life! That life has to be...

1. Humble

Assyria is described as (2:15) a carefree city that lived in safety. She said to herself “I am, and there is none beside me” - exalted as a god.

The result of such pride -What a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts! All who pass by her scoff and shake their fists.

2. Honour God’s work - even if they don’t know Him. When Israel was moving into the Promised Land Moab was terrified of what God was doing! (Numbers 22). Now they insult and taunt God’s people and threaten their existence.

Zeph 2:10,11 “This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the LORD Almighty. - The LORD will be awesome to them when he destroys all the gods of the land. The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land.”

However, God makes an offer - of a different life.

Zephaniah 3:9-20 is about restoration. But what is it restoration of?

· Not simply the remnant of Israel (v.13) or those on this holy hill (v.11)

· Not only will God take the punishment away from Jerusalem (14f) and court you again (17)

· But His name will be on the lips of the other nations too (9).

God will gather his scattered people from all over - Jews and Gentiles and they will serve him shoulder to shoulder, being co-workers with Christ and we are the inheritors of that vision.

God is doing this and we need to ‘serve Him shoulder to shoulder’.

· So different from the idea of a distant, indifferent god.

· So different from the idea of a powerless god

· So different from the concepts that Judah, Philistines, Assyria etc. had about God.

I want to invite you to take the opportunity to do as many have done, people in offices and jobs around London, people down their street - getting to know neighbours, Street Pastors etc. However small you feel, be involved - not simply in church - that’s a training base - but out there.

God may be calling you to account and to use your life to restore His glory.