There is no messing about with Zephaniah, no building up to his theme gradually. Instead he declares straight away that God is going to sweep everything away. This is a recurrent theme, for in the days of Noah God destroyed all the people except Noah and his family, and the animals he took. With Israel much of it would be destroyed, with only a remnant left. At the end of time the old earth and heavens will be no more, to be replaced by a new heaven and earth,
The judgement affects both men and living creatures. The well being, or otherwise, of living creatures in intimately tied in with the moral condition and actions of men. The idols, which were the root of the disobedience of men, will be swept away as well.
"When I destroy all people". This phrase is perhaps a warning against over-literal interpretation of the Bible, for God did not destroy absolutely everyone, and even at the end of time not everyone will perish.
God then becomes more specific, turning first to Judah and Jerusalem. His hand would be against them. Again there is emphasis on the purging of idol worship, and of those who worship idols. Some worshipped Molek (which involved child sacrifice) while invoking the name of the Lord. The judgement would be on those who once followed the Lord, but had stopped doing so. v5,6 make it clear that it is no use having a bit of God mixed in with a load of rubbish, nor is it any good having once served the Lord. Neither of these things will save one from the judgement.
The judgement affects both men and living creatures. The well being, or otherwise, of living creatures in intimately tied in with the moral condition and actions of men. The idols, which were the root of the disobedience of men, will be swept away as well.
"When I destroy all people". This phrase is perhaps a warning against over-literal interpretation of the Bible, for God did not destroy absolutely everyone, and even at the end of time not everyone will perish.
God then becomes more specific, turning first to Judah and Jerusalem. His hand would be against them. Again there is emphasis on the purging of idol worship, and of those who worship idols. Some worshipped Molek (which involved child sacrifice) while invoking the name of the Lord. The judgement would be on those who once followed the Lord, but had stopped doing so. v5,6 make it clear that it is no use having a bit of God mixed in with a load of rubbish, nor is it any good having once served the Lord. Neither of these things will save one from the judgement.
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