Perhaps it is fitting that as I was working on this sermon my children were listening to the audio version of “The Last Battle”, by C. S. Lewis.
Because the Last Battle is the theme of the prophet Zephaniah.
While all of the prophets move from judgment to punishment to salvation, Paul House has argued that the first six of the minor prophets focus on the theme of judgment, the verdict against Israel, Judah, and the nations;
and that the next three – Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah – focus on the punishment of Israel, Judah, and the nations;
and that the final three – Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi – focus on the restoration of Israel, Judah, and the nations.
Zephaniah summarizes the themes of Nahum and Habakkuk like Micah summarizes the first six prophets of the twelve.
As House puts it, “Cosmic punishment is at the forefront as the book begins, since the whole earth will be swept away in the wake of God’s anger. This cosmic devastation becomes more detailed as the book progresses. Judah is the specific target of the day, as is Philistia (2:4-7), Moab and Ammon (2:8-11), Cush (2:12), and Assyria (2:13-15). Znd at the end of the time of judgment a remnant from many nations will worship Yahweh (3:9), and Judah will experience restoration (3:14-20). Very systematically the structure of the prophecy reveals these implications of covenant and cosmic punishment.” (House, 94). |
