Thoughts for the Day

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgements against you,
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,
so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors
at that time.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, says the Lord.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

During Advent we shall look at the people, places and symbols that invite us to prepare for the comi ng of the Christ-child at Christmas. They will not necessarily occur in the right order! Today we look at 'Zephaniah' .

The Prophet Zephaniah prophesied in the southern kingdom of Judah during King Josiah's reign (640-609 BCE) about the time Jeremiah began his ministry. Josiah was to restore the worship of Yahweh after discovering a book of the law in the Temple, around 621 BCE. Zephaniah concentrates on the theme of 'The Day of the Lord', when God would return. The people believed He would come to bless them, while judging the rest of the rest of the world, but Zephaniah says the Lord all the earth will exercise His right to punish all who oppose Him, including His people.

However, there is a second aspect to Zephaniah's prophecy. God's judgement is not to be permanent and He will offer hope to His people. They might not have kept their side of the Covenant He made with them, but He will keep His promises to those who have been faithful. In the future, for those who trust in Yahweh and who are faithful, there will be a time of great rejoicing, for the Lord God will be in their midst.

As Christians, we too should remember that Zephaniah's promise is for us as well. We are to live a life consistent with the new Covenant made through Jesus Christ, for God will judge us one day. However, the faithful will be brought home with great rejoicing!

Lord Jesus Christ,
Zephaniah prophesied a time of tribulation
followed by a time of blessing for Your people,
while You were to promise
that You would return to judge the earth,
and Your faithful people would be saved.
Forgive us our backsliding,
and the way we ignore Your command
to love God and other people.
Forgive us the way we make decisions
about what is really important in life,
and often do not involve You in our plans.
May we rethink our priorities this Advent,
and come to Christmas with fresh hope.
Amen.