Burying the Gift
Click Here to Read the Texts (Zephaniah 1:7–16; Psalm 90; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11; Matthew 25:14–30)
We are again looking at the Day of the Lord. The day of judgement. The day that we have been reading about for a couple of weeks now and also the day we confess together every week. We do this by affirming what the Bible says about Jesus returning to “judge the living and the dead” or the affirmation that he is returning in “glory and judgement”.
The picture painted by the Zephaniah is serious and bleak. Reading through this passage could easily leave you lacking hope. But do not lose hope. There is good in this passage too. A kind of good that reflects the hope believers are meant to have on that last day as we are told in the New Testament.
The prophet here ties directly into our Matthew passage by mentioning one kind of person who is going to be judged, the lazy and complacent person:
Zephaniah 1:12
[12] At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
those who say in their hearts,
‘The LORD will not do good,
nor will he do ill.’ (ESV)
The person here could be lazy for many reasons but what seems to be driving their laziness is their beliefs about who God is. This person does not view God as generous but as withholding and ungracious.
The light of how that we see here in this text however is found in v.7:
Zephaniah 1:7
[7] the LORD has prepared a sacrifice
and consecrated his guests. (ESV)
In the context of Zephaniah hearers this could simply be speaking of them. That they are going to be sacrificed because of the disbelief, covenant-breaking, and sin.
But looking at this through the lens of Jesus it does not point to his people being made holy through judgement and fire but instead it can be seen as Good News. We know that God did provide a sacrifice in his Son, Jesus, and that he did and continues sanctifying his people through the power of the Holy Spirit. Consecrating them for his service and to be in his presence.
Last week we learned about the many misconceptions of the Thessalonian church, Some thought their loved who had died and not “endured to the end” would not see Jesus. Some thought that all they had to do was sit by the pool in their loungers with a glass of wine in their hand and look toward the sky waiting for Jesus. While others still were afraid they had missed the boat altogether.
Paul again is trying to encourage them. He lets them know that their curiosity about the mystery of Jesus’ Second Coming, The Day of the Lord is normal. However their anxiety and worry about that day is not necessary.
Psalm 90 is our oldest song of praise from Israel’s hymnal. And though there are many things to say about it, it is probably better to just read it. Every word is beautiful and full of depth:
Psalm 90
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
[1] Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
[2] Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
[3] You return man to dust
and say, “Return, O children of man!”
[4] For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
[5] You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
[6] in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
[7] For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
[8] You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
[9] For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
[10] The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
[11] Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?
[12] So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
[13] Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
[14] Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
[15] Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
[16] Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
[17] Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands! (ESV)
Paul talks about those who are going to miss the Day of the Lord as either drunk or asleep. The sleeping ones are the ones who are ignorant to Jesus’ return and the judgement of the Lord and the drunk ones are those who know better but are unprepared.
Paul encourages us all to be prepared and to remember that we are not destined for wrath and judgement but for salvation because of Jesus our Saviour. And he once again reminds us that now and in the future. We have the promise of being with Jesus. No matter our status; living or dead, we are safe in and with Christ.