As we saw in 2 Kings, the nation of Judah had been unfaithful for 57 years, worshipping other gods, participating in vile and shameful practices, neglecting the Temple, violating God’s law: the law of liberty, James 1:25, designed to bring life and blessing. To remind the people of their Covenant obligations, the oath that they had taken to follow only God, God sent Zephaniah in the role of prosecuting attorney to Judah. Zephaniah’s task was to remind Judah of the terms of the Covenant that they had entered into with God. To remind and warn them of the curses that would rain down on them for disobedience.
Many mistakenly think that the prophets role was only to predict the future. While the prophets have met with God and, as such, perhaps have had some future events revealed to them, their primary role is as prosecuting attorneys. Prophets have insight. They understand the times they are living in and they clearly see how the people of the nations are ignoring God’s revelation. They understand, and point out for all to hear, that the ungodly are on a collision course with God’s patience. They understood the times and knew what Israel should do. 2 Chronicles 12:32
Prophets are to be watchmen on the wall sounding the warning:
I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me…‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. Ezekiel 33:1-7
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