Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.
Zephaniah announces judgment on Judah, then leaves one door open — a call to seek the LORD. The verse raises three questions: who is it for, why must the meek seek meekness, and why does shelter come with a "perhaps"?
Two different calls in one chapter
The chapter speaks to two audiences at once. One commentator hears the address shift from the nation to a smaller group inside it.
William KellyThe first chapter set out the coming ruin of Judea. It came from the corruption of people and princes. It also set out the horrors of the day of Jehovah, falling on their selfish security and on the resources they trusted in vain. In the second chapter we have a call to repentance... It is an appeal to humble themselves before the Lord. "Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth." We see there are these two calls. To the nation there is a fitting warning; but there is an earnest appeal to the remnant of righteous Jews. These were "the meek of the earth."
The message goes out publicly, yet it separates people as it goes.
J. N. DarbyZephaniah 2, while revealing the character of the nation, addresses itself to her, so that at least all those who fear Jehovah may be hidden in the day of His anger... So the remnant are distinguished; the meek who have done righteousness are called on to seek meekness and righteousness, so that they may be hidden, although the testimony is addressed to the whole nation. For after all, God remembered the purposes of His grace.
Why the meek are told to seek meekness
These people already do what God commands. Still the call tells them to seek the very quality that already marks them.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThis call goes out to the meek in the land, the godly remnant which fears the Lord. It speaks to them in Zephaniah's day and at the end of the age, when "that day" comes. They are meek and they seek to keep the statutes and judgments of the Lord in a righteous life. Still they are urged to seek meekness. For it is this, meekness and lowliness, that pleases the Lord.
One writer defines meekness by what a person is content to go without.
J. G. BellettMeekness, which is to end in the inheritance (see Matt. 5:5), seems to be that state of soul that makes us willing to be nothing until the promised inheritance comes. The Lord Jesus (in whom was all perfection) fully expressed it. Though Lord of all, He was content to have nothing; and the kingdom is a reward of His meekness... The saints, in their measure, are the meek now. The remnant will be so in their day. (Zeph. 2:3)
"Perhaps you may be hidden"
The wording sounds uncertain, not like a guarantee. Kelly reads it as a warning. The day belongs to the LORD, and no one escapes it by right — not the nations near or far, and least of all Jerusalem herself (William Kelly). Others stress how sure the shelter is:
Other AuthorsIn the middle of all the corruption there has always been, and will be again (in the time to which the prophecy especially refers), a remnant that fear God. Such are called on to seek Jehovah, so that in the day of His anger they may be safely hidden.
Hidden on earth, not taken away
Being "hidden" has a particular shape. It is not the hope Christians have.
William KellyThroughout Scripture we see this to be the portion of the godly Jew. They do not look to be caught up to heaven as we do, but they hope to be hidden on earth... It is the exact opposite of the Christian's portion, though both are to be blessed. When the day comes, we shall come along with Him who brings it. In that day of judgment on the world they will be hidden in His mercy and faithfulness. Instead of going to the Father's house, they will have their chambers to hide them on the earth.
The hiding place is a Person
The prophet's own name carries the promise. One writer asks who that hiding place could be.
Other AuthorsZephaniah means "hidden of the Lord." In a very special way he foretells how the "hidden ones" will come through the storm and stress of the last days. He sees them brought into the joy and glory of the millennial world. And it is in this connection that our thoughts are turned to Christ. Who but He could be the hiding place of these godly Jews? As another prophet has said: "A Man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a shelter from the storm." In Him they will find their refuge.
(That line from Isaiah comes from an older translation. The ESV reads, "Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm.")
The same writer notes that this prophecy is about Jews, not Christians. Even so, the link with the gospel is close. Christ "becomes the hiding place, the shelter, of His people, and we are brought to God in Him, as hidden in and covered by Him" (Other Authors).
Summary
- Hidden — the prophet's name means "hidden of the Lord," and his message shows how God shelters His own through the storm.
- Sought — shelter comes to those who seek: seek the LORD, seek righteousness, seek meekness. The order starts with a Person, not a virtue.
- Distinguished — the call goes to the whole nation, but it marks out a remnant inside it. The same words warn one group and comfort another.
- Meek — meekness means being willing to be nothing until the promised inheritance comes. Christ Himself fully expressed it.
- Sheltered — the remnant is hidden on earth in chambers of mercy. Christians go to the Father's house and come back with Him. Two hopes, one Refuge.