That Day is a Day of Wrath Zephaniah 1:15

Zephaniah prophesied that “the great day of the LORD is near” and when it comes, “the mighty man shall cry there bitterly”. Though these bravest men within the country of Judah showed their boldness and fortitude in the past, when “the great day of the LORD” would appear, none of their bravado would stand. In chapter one and verse fifteen of his prophesy, Zephaniah shared more concerning this “great day of the LORD” as he called it a “day of wrath, trouble, distress” and more where we read:

That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

The verse begins, “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress,...” Zephaniah began by referencing “That day is a day” which in Hebrew is “yowm yowm” and means “time, year or period”, and it was stated twice for emphasis as he continued, “of wrath” or “outpouring, overflow, excess, fury, outburst and rage”. Not only would it be a day of “outburst and rage” but also, “a day of trouble” which referred to “a time period of straits, distress, vexer and rival” “and distress” or “straitness, stress, straits and anguish”. This time period of which Zephaniah wrote was to be abundantly horrific and horrible upon the people of Judah.

The verse continues, “... a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,...” Zephaniah went on to add, “a day of wasteness” or “ravage, devastation, ruin and waste” “and desolation” which means “ruin, wreck and waste”, and he continued with “a day of darkness” or “obscurity, misery and a secret place” “and gloominess” which means “darkness, calamity and wickedness”. Finally Zephaniah added, “a day of clouds” or “cloudy or a cloudy mass” “and darkness” which means “heavy or dark clouds, gross and thick darkness”. We can almost picture the “the great day of the LORD” appearing like a dark looming storm, and those within its destructive path would soon know the distress and troubles it brings.

As we think through this verse of Zephaniah's prophesy, it is interesting to note that he used the word “yowm” six times within it. Like parents who gives warnings to their children, Zephaniah over and over used “the great time period of the LORD” and told of the pending judgment and results which would come when it did. Let us put ourselves in the people of Judah's position and imagine hearing these words. Would we take heed? Would we believe the results Zephaniah prophesied? Should “the great day of the LORD” fall upon us, would we have the same results as the people of Judah? May the LORD Jesus help us know the importance of heeding His words, and let all who read these words who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior and LORD find someone who can share about Him before His “great day” falls upon them.

Next time Zephaniah shares how“that day of wrath” will be “a day of trumpet and alarm”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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