Advent 3 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18
Zephaniah observes idolatry, corruption and injustice
I heard it said that the God of the Old Testament is full of wrath, whist the image of God in the New Testament is one of love. I don’t think that the speaker could have read today’s readings, where both Zephaniah and Isaiah call the people to rejoice in what God has done for the them; and John the Baptist speaks of the coming Messiah with winnowing fork in hand and fire for clearing out chaff. Quite the reversal of popular misconception. That said, the scriptures always have a remarkable ability to surprise.
The TV show ‘Who do you think you are?‘ often shocks the celebrity as they discover all kinds of things about their ancestry. And if there had been a TV show entitled ‘Who do you think you are? Zephaniah’ we would quickly discover that his great-great grandfather was King Hezekiah. Unlike our usual view of a prophet as someone outside the system, bellowing unfavourable critique, reading Zephaniah’s short work, reveals him as a member of the ruling class, turning against the leadership with a damning message against idolatry, moral corruption and injustice.
Most of this short book tells of the coming Day of the Lord and the judgment it brings, yet by chapter 3:14 to tone changes and brings an encouragement for singing and rejoicing, because God is among them. Moving through Advent we anticipate Christ’s coming as Immanuel – God with us; very much a time to celebrate and sing. However, I am not a passionate lover of singing with a mask across my nose and mouth, but in fairness, is it preferable to no singing at all. And I suppose you should say that singing to God, whether in church or elsewhere, is by royal command!
There are some brilliant examples of hymns through the Hebrew Bible which has a wonderful tradition of song-singing. And here is one of those ancient songs of praise and worship, forming the backdrop to the Magnificat – Mary’s amazing song of declaration of God’s great love especially to the dispossessed and down trodden in the world. But that’s next week’s song. Here Zephaniah continues by declaring that God is singing back to the people (verse 17).
God is about to renew the people with love. Or as the JPS Tanakh translates it, God will sooth you with love. Now, I have to be honest and confess that whilst I am looking forward to Christmas, it troubles me that as we buy in food and decorate our cosy homes, we do so against the migrant crisis raging in the Channel. In November the continuing stories of refugees trying to cross a rough English Channel in flimsy craft came to a head with tragic loss of lives. I visited the churches in Malta for several years where they dealt with similar situations and patiently worked with refugees to find solutions for those who survived. And still the tide of human misery continues unabated.
It is troubling that this promise in Zephaniah spells an end to disenfranchisement, to the society which fiercely defends insider-outsider perspectives, when actions past and present seem to indicate that we have learned little over the centuries. What kind of issues drives people to take such exceptional risks?
Although the Beekeeper of Aleppo, by Christy Lefteri, is a novel, it is profoundly moving and authentic and it certainly offers an insight. Written as a means to channel and process the distress Lefteri felt after working in an Athens refugee centre at the height of the global migration crisis, it is an experience which also was informed by her own life as the daughter of Cypriot refugees.
“I wrote the book, because I was so overwhelmed with emotion … But as I was writing it, I also had the sense that I wished that the book would reach people.”
https://www.aspentimes.com/entertainment/beekeeper-of-aleppo-author-christy-lefteri-discusses-aspen-words-prize-winning-novel-community-read/ [05.11.21]
Sorrow and rejoicing
Before rejoicing comes repentance and lament; but then comes the glorious promise: Do not be afraid, the Lord your God is in your midst. So, a few centuries after Zephaniah wrote, John the Baptist came striding onto the scene with a loud roar, Repent! What is required is a radical change of heart, or if you prefer, ‘change your whole way of thinking’; and especially to change the way of thinking about forgiveness. It has at its roots the Greek word ‘to let go’. So it begins as we let go and let God … for it is a work of grace that brings about a real change of heart.
John’s message is very straightforward, if not a little brusque in his colourful – but not politically-correct language:
‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’ Luke 3:7-9
I wonder how many at that time, really bore the fruits of repentance? For John reckoned that the axe was already laid at the lower part of the tree ready to remove the unfruitful trees.
So, for those willing to listen, John is not only a prophet but a wise teacher: he gives a sequence of suggestions that begin to build a picture which suggests that those who repent can be recognised by how they live their lives. For repentance toward God is accompanied by some very practical changes of lifestyle towards those around. If you know about the neighbour, you will not let them go hungry or without suitable clothing. If you know your neighbour you will not cheat them or use your position of authority to defraud them. Instead you will offer your help and support. Authentic hearing/reading the word of God similarly challenges God’s people to action.
And so, in conclusion, I leave you with words from Douglas Galbraith:
The God who sings A new world into being shows the way For many voices, varied gifts to sound in symphony.
The God who shouts in fury when the powerful shame the poor will break the chains, and those who hide in fear he will restore.
The God who weeps when fields lie barren and the missile fall throws wide his arms and offers in his love refuge for all.
The God who laughs as unexpected overturns routine releases us to risk in faith, and find what joy can mean.
The God who calls in hearts of those who hear his Chosen One forgives, transforms, empowers, renews us while We journey on.
Worship at home 