Devotions: Time to Heed the Warnings

 

Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,
The tyrannical city!
She heeded no voice,
She accepted no instruction.
She did not trust in the Lord,
She did not draw near to her God.

Zephaniah 3:1-2 New American Standard Bible 1995

 

This book was written during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, who was probably the best king they ever had! Unfortunately, his father and grandfather were so evil that the consequences for their crimes against God and the people could not be avoided. Josiah instituted reforms and reinstated the proper temple functions and feasts and helped turn the people back to God, but it didn’t last. As was typical for Israel, once the leader died, so did their relationship with God. These verses were a warning for Jerusalem (the “she” referenced) about the sin they had already committed and would commit in the coming years. God gave them plenty of warning, since Zephaniah was written at least 100 years before the exile, and he was not the only prophet to warn them.

The Jews were rebellious. They disobeyed God and went after pagan idols and sought the aid of foreign countries, enslaving themselves to men rather than trusting in God. That is what was meant by defiled. Our spiritual relationship with God is often referred to in a marital sense, so turning away from Him to other religions is akin to adultery. God often referred to them as harlots because of this. They had been told what to do and how to live, but didn’t pay attention. They had been warned but would not listen. They ignored God’s guidance and discipline, and refused to trust Him to save them when trouble came. They rejected Him as God and Lord, even when things were bad. They went their way instead of His and refused to come back to Him. Largely this was due to the fact that their leaders, both political and spiritual, were corrupt and helped lead the people astray, but everyone is responsible for their own faith. God would discipline them severely for their sin and treason (against Him.)

The same warning applies to us. Just because we are under the covenant of grace does not mean that we can live however we want, but instead of being saved by our obedience we are proved to be saved by our obedience. It is evidence of our love, not a means of acquiring His. Jesus said that whoever loves Him will obey Him, but whoever walks in darkness is not His follower. We need to take heed to the warnings given and learn from history. The fate that befell Jerusalem will fall on us if we do not repent of the sins of ourselves and our country. We can avoid discipline if we will repent and turn back to God.