Let's look at a passage I'm surprised isn't one of the most popular passages in the Bible to answer that question.
Zephaniah begins with the end of the world:
“I will sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD. ...
“When I destroy all mankind
on the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD,
“I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all who live in Jerusalem.
I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place ..." (1:2-4)
The nations will be judged for their various sins. Israel will be judged for its idolatry and oppression and the wickedness of its rulers. The standard warm, fuzzy message from the prophets. But this isn't what God wants for his chosen nation.
Of Jerusalem I thought,
‘Surely you will fear me
and accept correction!’
Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed,
nor all my punishments come upon her.
But they were still eager
to act corruptly in all they did. (3:7)
The trials they went through were supposed to bring them to repentance. But his people didn't. So
The whole world will be consumed
by the fire of my jealous anger. (3:8)
End of everything, wipe out mankind, start over? No.
Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,
that all of them may call on the name of the LORD
and serve him shoulder to shoulder. (3:9)
God always preserves a remnant, not just in Israel but in all nations. How? This must be looking forward to the gospel that goes out to all nations. God will be worshipped by people from "every nation, tribe, people and language" (Rev 7:9). When the nations are judged, God will save his people.
On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame
for all the wrongs you have done to me,
because I will remove from you
your arrogant boasters.
Never again will you be haughty
on my holy hill.
But I will leave within you
the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel
will trust in the name of the LORD.
They will do no wrong;
they will tell no lies.
A deceitful tongue
will not be found in their mouths. (3:11-13)
Only God's regenerate are left, those whose hearts he has changed.
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your punishment ... (3:14-15)
God has taken their punishment away? How can that happen? Now we know: he took it upon himself on the cross. Justice has been served. After the judgment, the destruction of the wicked, it's just God and his people.
On that day
they will say to Jerusalem ...
The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing. (3:16, 17 ESV)
Read that again. Take a moment and think about that.
We sing to and about God. We rejoice in the things he has done for us and love to set it to music. We tend to think of it as the primary expression of our love for him.
But his plan is to sing over us.
I'm reminded of the parable of the lost coin, where Jesus says, "I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10). It's not the angels that rejoice. There is rejoicing "in the presence of the angels". Who's doing the rejoicing? God?
The doctrine of divine impassibility tells us God doesn't have moods. God doesn't feel this then feel that. God is.
And that means this is who God is. How does God really feel about you? He's planning the day when "he will exult over you with loud singing."
We mustn't forget all we know about our God. He is holy. He is just. God is sovereign and omnipotent and all the other things we sing about. And he's really enthusiastic in loving you.
Image via Pixabay
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