Under the long reign of King Manasseh, the nation of Judah had become thoroughly evil. Even the reform of King Josiah cannot undo the fatal damage. Through Zephaniah, God condemns Judah for her sins but also promises restoration. Though the future is bleak, God tells Judah to rejoice.
Why should they rejoice? Zephaniah points to one reality: The Lord your God is with you. Judah can rejoice in God’s presence. God’s presence with Judah means that Judah has been forgiven, that Judah does not need to fear, that she is loved, that she will be liberated from oppression and be restored. In this season of Advent, we can repent, receive Christ again, and renew our covenant with him. Then, we too can rejoice because God is in our midst!
December 11: “Advent: A Season of Rejoicing” (Zephaniah 3:14-20)
Posted in Folders.