Zephaniah 2:8 says, I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border. God now spoke about Moab and Ammon and how the people there had reproached the people of Israel. They basically mocked the people of Israel for their worship of God out of pride in their strength. People who do not believe in God today often reproach, or ridicule, those who do. God knows when this happens, and one day those who do this will be held accountable. Verse nine adds, Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them. God said that Moab would be as Sodom and Ammon as Gomorrah, which meant that they were to be utterly destroyed. This was not to be done by fire from heaven though, but by the remnant of the people of Israel. God does not always accomplish His purpose in the same way, but when it comes to defeating sin and sinful people He will always be successful. The ultimate defeat was obtained by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Verse ten continues, This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts. The underlying reason for God's condemnation of the people of Moab and Ammon was their self pride. They felt that they were greater than Israel and that their gods were greater than the God of Israel. Self-pride often keeps people from surrendering their life to Christ and they often put down those who do accept Him. Verse eleven concludes, The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen. Zephaniah said God would be terrible to those who refused to believe in Him and who ridiculed those who did. All the false gods would be destroyed, and when God comes in judgment one day, this will be true for all time. Verse twelve states, Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword. God said that the people of Ethiopia would be destroyed by the sword. God does not just judge some people who defy Him, but He condemns all who do. Verse thirteen adds, And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness. God also said that He was going to destroy Assyria and Nineveh. The people of Nineveh may have been spared in Jonah's day, but evidently they had once more turned away from God. Just because a nation has been following God at one time does not mean that they always will. Verse fourteen continues, And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. God said that Nineveh would become the home of wild birds. Verse fifteen concludes, This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand. God said that the people of Nineveh had been filled with self-pride, but that they would become a source of derision to all who passed by after their destruction. People today who are filled with self-pride and refuse to acknowledge God will one day meet the same fate.
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