Zephaniah 2:3

John Hendrickson Zephaniah 2:3

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the LORD's wrath.

The Jews living in Judea were messing up big time back in the 7th century B.C. Idolatry, adoption of foreign customs and alliances, violence and injustice even toward their neighbors, and, above all, unbelief in the God of Israel were the sins of many in this society for way too long. And the prophet Zephaniah was calling them on it.

Zephaniah addresses Judea as a nation without shame. They had become apathetic to the evil in their society. Constant sinning will do that. We've seen that in our own society. But, it's not too late to turn back to God, to seek righteousness and humility. God wants us to seek Him to have relationship with him, and that involves humility and self-denial. If they do this, maybe they will be hidden, and preserved from God's wrath. (In a play on words, Zephaniah's name means, "hidden"). The prophet can't cancel God's judgment; he's only saying they might be able to postpone it. There's no uncertainty as to whether God will save anyone or whether anyone will repent. It is entirely up to God.

Now, what can a rather obscure minor prophet's message from 2,650 years ago teach me? How about some humility:

"And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: God opposes the proud, but bestows favor on the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

Humility does not mean you think less of yourself. It means you think of yourself less.