Wednesday prior to Advent 3

[1]

Zephaniah 3:14–20—The people of Israel—the people of God—are summoned to rejoice and exult because the Lord has taken away all judgments. He has done this for us—the people of God—by the Lord God who is in our midst: Christ, who came to earth as a man, and lived, died, and rose again for us. He still is in our midst, coming to us in His means of grace, Word and Sacrament, the mighty one who saves us.

One of the Minor Prophets, Zephaniah, speaks in strong language of the coming of the Day of the Lord, or the LORD’s coming in judgment. In this brief book, Zephaniah paints a picture of the need for repenting and of the downfall of Israel’s enemies. In our section, Zephaniah pictures the victory – God’s presence with Israel and the defeat and absence of Israel’s enemies. As with other prophetic writings in which the coming of the LORD is portrayed Zephaniah speaks both strongly and with a definite sense of urgency – the Lord will come in our lifetime.

Zephaniah was a prophet in Judah in the days of Joshia, probably before Josiah’s reforms about 630 years before the birth of Jesus. His book follows the “classical prophetic outline”;

1.      Law – Threats against Judah (1:2-2:3)

2.      Law – Threats against the Gentiles )2:4-3:8)

3.      Gospel – Promises for All (3:9-20)

Note as always after God’s Law has accomplished its purpose of driving the self-righteous and arrogant to despair and contrition, then and only then comes the Gospel promises.

Note also the promises. “The King of Israel,” YHWH, your God,” is coming to dwell in Zion’s midst (3:15, 17) He will come as a mighty “warrior” to “save” and to “turn back Zion’s enemy.” Zephaniah’s promise is fulfilled in Christ. YHWH “became flesh and dwelt among us,” (John 1:14) Note also the picture above Jesus is the Christ, He is “the King of the Jews,” dying for Israel and for the Gentiles. On the cross we see the mighty Warrior defeating Zion’s enemies. Therefore, Zion rejoices.

Not only will Zion rejoice but also the LORD Himself will rejoice (3:17) The opposite of God’s wrath is not only mercy but delight over His people. This delight comes from Christ’s sacrificial death winning favor with men.

A prayer for blessing of a Crèche: Almighty and everlasting God, You caused Your only-begotten Son to be born of the Blessed Virgin Mary for our salvation. Bless this crèche, which shows the wonders of that sacred birth, that all who behold it may ponder and adore the mystery of His holy incarnation and may joyfully partake in His divine grace unto life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [2]

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[1] Jesus the Christ, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for blessing a Crèche, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis