A Clean Sweep

Devotions for Growing Christians

A Clean Sweep

Zephaniah 1:2-­3 - “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” says the Lord. “I will sweep away people and animals alike. I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish in the sea. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, and I will wipe humanity from the face of the earth,” says the Lord.”

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If your boss at work said that he or she was going to make "a clean sweep" within the company, would you be happy or fearful? Your initial excitement over the thought of a fresh work scenario might turn to anxiety when you realize that the “old ways,” (including your job) might be eliminated.  A similar situation occurred in the days of Zephaniah. 

Background

Zephaniah lived during the reign of King Josiah in the 7th century BC.  Josiah was a good leader, and brought revival in the kingdom of Judah. (2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35)  While King Josiah was the spark-plug of this great revival, the ministry of the prophet, Zephaniah, helped pave the way. 

Unfortunately, Josiah’s revival didn’t last long.  While outward idolatry was cut back in the nation, the inward condition of most hearts was unchanged.  They were complacent.  Most of the citizens of Judah believed that the coming judgment from God would be a great time when the Lord would strike down their enemies.  After all, they were God's people -- they were “not as bad” as the surrounding pagans. 

But Zephaniah had some bad news for them.  The Lord was going to bring a clean sweep.  The pagan nations would be swept clean, but Judah would be swept as well!  This would not be a day of celebration for them, but rather a day of wrath (1:15).  No unrepentant nation or individual would be exempt - not even God's chosen people.  

While the message of Zephaniah was addressed specifically to the Old Testament nation of Judah, the scope of Zephaniah's prophecy was world-wide, and the prophecy also looks forward to the judgments of the end times.  But how can we explain Zephaniah’s prediction that this judgment was near and coming swiftly (1:14)? 

The explanation is that although the complete fulfillment of Zephaniah's prophecy is still in the future, a partial fulfillment occurred when King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah in 586 BC.  The people were carried away into captivity in Babylon.  It was "a day of terrible distress and anguish,a day of ruin and desolation.” (1:15).  The Jewish people were in exile for 70 years, and in Babylon they were swept clean of their idolatry (1:4­6). 

Partial fulfillment also explains the prophecies in chapter 2 about the destruction of nations surrounding Judah.  Parts of these prophecies have already been fulfilled, and they are a clear testimony to the accuracy of Scripture.  But other parts of these prophecies await future fulfillment. (See 2:7 & 2:11)  

A Complete Judgment

God's judgment is never a pleasant subject, but it’s part of God's revealed Word to us.  So what can we learn from this section of Zephaniah?  First, we learn that God's sweep of judgment will be complete.  The judgment that comes upon this earth will be so complete that all life (even animal life) will be affected.  The details of the end-time judgments in Revelation indicates how devastating these judgments will be. (Rev. 6, 8­, 9 & 16.) 

The extent of God's judgment reveals the seriousness of idolatry and sin.  If we’re honest, we all can acknowledge that some idolatry exists in our own hearts, and our lives are certainly not free from sin.  So how should we respond to Zephaniah’s eye-opening message?  Repent from our sin and look to God!

Zephaniah repeatedly told the people of Judah to seek the Lord in humility and righteousness before it was too late.  In Zephaniah 2:13, the word “before” is used three times to emphasize the urgency of the situation.  Turn back before it’s too late.  But Judah did not turn back.  Josiah's revival was a start, but it wasn't long before the revival was forgotten and the nation reaped the consequences.  

Are we, as individuals, "seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness"? (Matthew 6:33).  Outward displays without the righteousness of Christ are not enough, as Judah learned the hard way. 

A Just Judgment

Zephaniah's prophecy revels that God's clean sweep of judgment will be just.  God doesn’t subject a nation or an individual to His judgment without reason.  God must judge sin because He is holy.  If He turned a blind eye when people sinned, He would not be righteous. 

Throughout Zephaniah's prophecy God gives the reasons for His judgment:
- Idolatry (1:4-6)
- Violence and deceit (1:9)
- Spiritual complacency (1:12)
- Unbelief (3:2)
- Social injustice (3:3)
- Sacrilegious attitudes (3:4)
- Moral corruption (3:7)  

The nations around Judah would be judged for: 
- Insulting and taunting and threatening the people of God (2:8)
- Arrogance and pride (2:10)
- Independent attitude (2:15).  

How does our own nation measure with this list of sins?  How long can God's patience tolerate the increasing moral corruption and godless attitude of our own country?  Zephaniah’s message to the nation is daunting, “Because you have sinned against the Lord, I will make you grope around like the blind.  Your blood will be poured into the dust, and your bodies will lie rotting on the ground” (1:17).

Thankfully, there’s an escape for every individual who puts his or her trust in Jesus Christ as Savior.  Because Jesus died for every sin, God can still be “fair and just, and make sinners right in His sight when they believe in Jesus." (Romans 3:26). 

The best news about God's clean sweep of judgment on this earth is that it paves the way for future blessings on our planet.  Blessing will come upon Gentiles (3:9-­10) and Jews (3:11-20).  "The Lord will remove his hand of judgment." (3:15)!  This will take place when the Lord returns to earth and dwells in the midst of His people.  "He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." (3:17). 

While the focus in these verses from chapter 3 is the Lord's relationship with the faithful Jews of the end time (3:13), blessing will go out to “all the earth” (3:19­-20).  And we who have trusted in Christ now will be with Him then. We’ll be part of the celebration in an earth swept clean!

- Dave Reid

(Updated 2021, Ron Reid)