While studying through the book of Zephaniah, I noticed that the word “shame” kept occurring. Shame is one of the major themes in Zephaniah’s prophetic message. Zephaniah was writing during the days of Josiah, most likely before the law in the temple was found and the reforms took place. That is why the first chapter of Zephaniah is focused on judgment against Jerusalem for their idolatry and shameful practices. Zephaniah’s issue that he must face with his ministry is trying to convince a nation to change who does not experience shame for their sins. Zephaniah proclaims that the LORD is always just, but the unjust knows no shame (Zephaniah 3:5). Despite God’s people being desensitized to evil, God still makes an effort to call them, “Gather yourselves together, yes gather, O nation without shame (Zephaniah 2:1).”
Shame is a terrible vex on the heart of God’s people. It burdens our heart, and even though we may have received forgiveness, we still battle guilt frequently for our past sins. However, this is not altogether a bad thing. The feeling of guilt that comes with shame can be a pain that can draws us closer to our loving God. It is proof of God’s work within us, as our spirit struggles within us, waging war with our flesh. However, the lost who do not believe in God are mostly unburdened by the pain of shame.
Zephaniah encourages the nation with no shame to hurry up and seek the Lord, to seek righteousness, and humility (Zephaniah 2:3). If they can do this then they may find themselves hidden from God’s wrath on the day of judgement. God in Zephaniah chapter 3 delivers on his promise and sends fiery judgment down upon the world. This fire consumes the wicked, but it does not consume everyone. In Zephaniah 3:9, it is revealed that those who listened to the call and felt shame and returned back to the Lord were purified by this fire. Zephaniah wraps up the theme of shame with these beautiful words, “In that day you will feel no shame because of all your deeds by which you have rebelled against me… (Zephaniah 3:11).”
Zephaniah’s message was that God was making a new nation that would rise out of the ashes of the tyrannical city of Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:1-5, 8-11). These people would respond to Zephaniah’s message and again feel godly shame. Although God’s people ended up being carried into exile, God would not leave them there in Babylon. God promises his exiles this, “Behold I am going to deal at that time with all your oppressors, I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth (Zephaniah 3:19).”
The struggle with shame is only a temporary affliction on God’s people. When Christ our Lord appears, His love for us will melt away our shame. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love for you, and He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy (Zephaniah 3:17). “Behold I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and he who believes in Him, will not be ashamed (Romans 9:33).”
Jared Kelly
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.