Well, Well, Well, If It Isn’t the Consequences of My Own Actions

A 高銘謙 Sermon Summary

​Mistakes have consequences, and sometimes those consequences bring pain and suffering that last for a long time. When that happens, what should we do? How should we react? Let’s learn from the book of Zephaniah.
 
In the twelve minor prophet books, the prophets didn’t always explain things chronologically, but instead went from topic to topic. Most of the books start with God’s judgment and end with God’s mercy and love. Zephaniah follows this pattern; its first two chapters focus on judgment and punishment, with the third on mercy and love.
 
The Israelites disobeyed God, ignored His corrections, and ran away from Him. They depended on wealth, army, political alliance, and worshipping false gods. Their officials were fierce and cruel. Their religious leaders distorted the law for their own benefit. And so, they were punished.
 
Chapter 3 starts with judgment and punishment (3:1-8). The prophet Zephaniah predicted that God’s wrath would come and didn’t sugarcoat the severity of the pains and sufferings (1:15-18).
 
The prophet also predicted the day of salvation (3:11-13). Zephaniah told them to fear God, accept correction, and actively wait for salvation from the Lord. If they did so, their lips would be purified (3:9). This purification extended to their actions and hearts (Isaiah 29:13). In other words, they would be internally and externally consistent, with their hearts and actions reflecting their pure lips. 
 
In His love, God would no longer rebuke them but would rejoice over them (3:15-17). This was the mercy that would come after punishment.
 
Zephaniah tightly coupled future salvation to current punishment. This faith and hope helped the Israelites endure and actively wait for their deliverance.
 
Deuteronomy 28 describes both blessing and curse. One main purpose of God’s curse and punishment is to bring us back from our mistakes; they are for our good.
 
When we suffer because of our mistakes, we must accept His correction and repent. Hold onto and patiently wait for His promise. Have faith that one day, God’s love will return, and He will not recount our sins. Instead, He will greatly rejoice over us.
 
Summary of a sermon by 高銘謙, titled “The Worship in Zephaniah.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKN6PIB_RoU