She Was Filthy And Polluted

I. Introduction:

A. Zephaniah prophesied during the days when Josiah, the son of Amon, was king of Judah (Zephaniah 1:1).

1. This takes us back to the time period we can read of starting in II Kings 21:24 and II Chronicles 33:25.
2. Jeremiah was also a prophet during these days (Jeremiah 1:1-3 and Jeremiah 25:3).

B. At the time Zephaniah prophesied, God was set to consume everything from the land (Zephaniah 1:2-6).

1. The judgment of God was against those who practiced idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5, Deuteronomy 8:19, Deuteronomy 29:25-28, and Isaiah 65:6-7).
2. God viewed those of His people who committed idolatry as spiritual harlots (Ezekiel 16:35-42).

II. Body: Zephaniah 3:1-13

A. The oppressing city, the city under consideration throughout the book of Zephaniah, was Jerusalem (Zephaniah 1:4; 1:12; 3:14; 3:16).

1. Jerusalem was the city God had chosen to put His name on (I Kings 11:36).
2. The city had turned from God and was given to oppression (Jeremiah 6:6).

B. Jerusalem refused to obey God (Jeremiah 7:23-29).

1. Correction was not received (Jeremiah 2:30).
2. The leaders of the people were corrupt (Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 3:12, Isaiah 9:16, Jeremiah 5:31, and Micah 3:1-4).

C. God wanted them to fear Him as they observed what He did to other nations. But, they didn’t fear Him (Jeremiah 2:19).

1. Fear can bring about a willingness to begin learning (Psalms 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, and Philippians 2:12).
2. Fear may begin the process of obedience, but love sustains faithful service (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 and I John 5:1-3).

D. Now let’s look at a contrast…

1. Jerusalem was filthy, polluted, oppressive, disobedient, deceitful, etc.
2. The remnant after God’s purging (Zephaniah 3:11-13) would do no iniquity, be truthful, be at peace, and feel secure.
3. Apostasy can be brutally disgusting (Isaiah 1:1-8).
4. Yet, there is always a remnant (Isaiah 1:9 and Romans 11:1-5).
5. As the remnant of God’s people, we must continue to possess the same character as that faithful remnant (II Timothy 2:19, Ephesians 4:25, Hebrews 12:14-17, and I John 5:13). *We know this is not a list of all things expected of faithful saints.

III. Conclusion: Jerusalem became filthy and polluted because she refused correction, rejected God, and became comfortable with sin. The remnant was different. They were purified, truthful, and secure. The question for us is simple: Which description fits us? There was future rejoicing for the faithful remnant in Judah (Zephaniah 3:14-20). So it is, when we who are faithful find ourselves as a very small remnant, remember that our salvation lies ahead of us regardless of how filthy and polluted the world has been, is, or appears to be becoming.



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