Zephaniah 2:8-11
8 ¶“I have heard the taunting of Moab
And the abusive speech of the sons of Ammon,
With which they have taunted My people
And boasted against their territory.
9 “Therefore, as I live,” declares the Lord of armies,
The God of Israel,
“Moab will assuredly be like Sodom,
And the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah—
Ground overgrown with weeds and full of salt mines,
And a permanent desolation.
The remnant of My people will plunder them,
And the remainder of My nation will inherit them.”
10 This they will have in return for their arrogance, because they have taunted and boasted against the people of the Lord of armies.
11 The Lord will be terrifying to them, for He will starve all the gods of the earth; and all the coastlands of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place.
The Judgement of the Surrounding Nations (2)
The sins of Moab and Ammon
In verses 1-4, the day of the Lord’s anger was prophesied against apostate Israel. Following that, judgment against four surrounding nations is prophesied (v 4-15). This time, we will consider (2) Moab and Ammon. These two nations are located to the east of Israel. “I have heard the taunting of Moab and the abusive speech of the sons of Ammon, with which they have taunted My people and boasted against their territory” (v8). (1) Both Moab and Ammon are descendants of the sons born to Lot and his two daughters. Their origin was marked by sin. (2) Their sin was the sin of anti-Semitism. They taunted the people of Israel (ref. Num. 22-24; 1 Sam. 11; 2 Sam. 10; Neh. 4; Jer. 40:14). Furthermore, they attempted to seize the land of Israel. Zephaniah was not the only prophet who foretold judgment against Moab and Ammon (ref. Isa 15-16; Jer. 48; Amos 1:13).
God’s judgement
“‘Therefore, as I live,’ declares the Lord of armies, The God of Israel, ‘Moab will assuredly be like Sodom, And the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah… The remnant of My people will plunder them, and the remainder of My nation will inherit them” (v 9). (1) “As I live” means “I swear.” Those who persecute the Lord’s people will surely be judged. Those who despise the Lord are fools. (2) Moab and Ammon will become like Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and destroyed by God because of sexual sin. Moab and Ammon were also peoples who committed sexual sin. Just as their beginning was like Sodom and Gomorrah, so their end will also be like Sodom and Gomorrah. (3) “Ground overgrown with weeds, and full of salt mines, and a permanent desolation” is a prophecy that their land will become completely desolate. (4) That land will be inherited by “the remnant of Israel.” In verses 10-11, a prophecy of hope for Moab and Ammon is given. Their idolatry will be judged by the Lord, but in the end (in the Messianic Kingdom), some from among them will worship the Lord. Let us recognize how great a sin anti-Semitism is. And let us remember that even within God’s severe judgment, an element of grace remains, and cling to that grace.
Today's prayer
O God of Israel, thank You for Your love, which leaves hope even in the midst of the most severe judgment. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.