Sharper Iron — Majoring in Minors: The Great Day of the LORD

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Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Zephaniah 1:14-2:3.

To the complacent people of Judah, Zephaniah proclaims that the wrath of God is real and is coming on the day of the LORD. Though Judah looked for that day to be one of victory for them, their idolatry means that it will be one of destruction and defeat. The LORD will bring this upon them, and fortifications, technology, and money will provide no escape. Instead, the prophet calls upon the people to humble themselves before the LORD. It is true that the day is coming quickly, but there is still time right now for the people to seek the LORD, righteousness, and humility, casting themselves entirely upon His mercy. This mercy has been shown fully in the day of the LORD that Jesus endured on Good Friday in our place, so that as we wait for the day of the LORD on the Last Day, we do so in repentant faith that trusts in His grace alone.

“Majoring in Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Obadiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. These three prophets all spoke the Word of God in the days leading up to the fall of Jerusalem at the hand of the Babylonians. Through their unique emphases, these men proclaimed the same message of repentance of sins and faith in the LORD, pointing ultimately toward their prophecies’ fulfillment: Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Zephaniah 1:14-2:3

14 The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man cries aloud there.
15 A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.

17 I will bring distress on mankind,
so that they shall walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the Lord;
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.

Judgment on Judah’s Enemies

2 Gather together, yes, gather,
O shameless nation,
2 before the decree takes effect[a]
—before the day passes away like chaff—
before there comes upon you
the burning anger of the Lord,
before there comes upon you
the day of the anger of the Lord.
3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who do his just commands;[b]
seek righteousness; seek humility;
perhaps you may be hidden
on the day of the anger of the Lord.

Footnotes

Zephaniah 2:2 Hebrew gives birth

Zephaniah 2:3 Or who carry out his judgment