Justice and the Prophets
Called to God's Work of Justice
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
A Vision of Restoration
Zephaniah 3:1-7 Good News Translation
Jerusalem's Sin and Redemption
3 Jerusalem is doomed, that corrupt, rebellious city that oppresses its own people. 2 It has not listened to the Lord or accepted his discipline. It has not put its trust in the Lord or asked for his help. 3 Its officials are like roaring lions; its judges are like hungry wolves, too greedy to leave a bone until morning. 4 The prophets are irresponsible and treacherous; the priests defile what is sacred, and twist the law of God to their own advantage. 5 But the Lord is still in the city; he does what is right and never what is wrong. Every morning without fail, he brings justice to his people. And yet the unrighteous people there keep on doing wrong and are not ashamed.
6 The Lord says, “I have wiped out whole nations; I have destroyed their cities and left their walls and towers in ruins. The cities are deserted; the streets are empty—no one is left. 7 I thought that then my people would have reverence for me and accept my discipline, that they would never forget[ a] the lesson I taught them. But soon they were behaving as badly as ever.
For Reflection
The story of human existence is one of constant betrayal. Humans resist the truth that they are a product of divine incarnation, that God not they are in charge. Human folly rises on the folds of time only to sink into God-denial and reap the destructive consequences. Yet in the chaos of the human condition, righteousness thrives. God's remnants continue to press forward toward the realization of the Kingdom of God.
Pray
Pray prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the remnant people. Pray so that you can recognize the hand of God in righteous people.
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