April 22, 2025 - Zephaniah 2:3 - "Hidden in the Day of the LORD'S Anger"

Zephaniah 2:3

"Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.

The prophet Zephaniah ministered during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (circa 640–609 BC), a time of national reformation yet looming judgment. Though Josiah initiated outward reforms, the hearts of the people remained largely unchanged. Zephaniah sounded a trumpet of divine warning: the “day of the LORD” was near—a day of wrath, desolation, and darkness (Zephaniah 1:14–15). The judgment would soon fall upon Judah for her idolatry and spiritual apathy, yet amid this dark prophecy, a gracious call shines forth like a beacon in Zephaniah 2:3.

Here we find a summons: “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth.” These are not the proud or self-righteous, but the “meek”—those whom the LORD has humbled, those taught of grace to mourn over sin and long for Righteousness (Christ). These are they who have “wrought his judgment”—not perfectly, but sincerely, being led by the Spirit of God to walk in His Way (Christ). To such, God says: "Seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger."

But what does this hiding mean? And where is the place of such refuge? Though Zephaniah’s prophecy looked immediately toward the Babylonian captivity—a very real day of God’s wrath upon Judah—it pointed beyond that historical event to a greater and final “day of the LORD.” The Scriptures consistently reveal a final day of reckoning, when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16), and only those found hidden in Christ shall stand.

But even before the final day of the LORD at the end of time, there is the Day of the LORD at the cross. From eternity God the Father has separated out His elect children and put them in Christ, and in that Day of the LORD poured out His wrath (judgment) on the LORD Jesus Christ , His own precious Son as the Substitute. This verse is not offering mere possibility as if man’s seeking earns God’s favor. The language “it may be ye shall be hid” is not an uncertainty in God but a call to humility in man. The hiding here is certain—but only for those whom the Lord Himself hides. And who are they?

The only safe hiding place in the day of God's wrath is in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Rock in whom the elect are sheltered. The elect of God—chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)—are those who, in due time, are made meek by the regenerating work of the Spirit, brought to Christ in repentance and faith, and who walk in His judgment, submitted to His righteousness that He earned and established for them, and imputed to their spiritual accounts at one time and one place, in the Sacrifice of the LORD Jesus.

Jesus Christ came into this world to accomplish the work that would forever hide His people from the wrath of God. On the cross, He bore the full weight of divine anger against sin. The just wrath that Zephaniah foretold fell in its fullness upon the Son of God at Calvary. As Isaiah says, “Surely he hath borne our griefs… the chastisement of our peace was upon him” (Isaiah 53:4–5). There, in His suffering, Christ became the hiding place for all that the Spirit of God caused to trust in Him. The elect are not hidden by their seeking, but they seek because they are hidden in Christ. Their meekness, their righteousness, their faith—all are gifts of grace (Ephesians 2:8). And having been given ears to hear, they heed the call: “Seek ye the LORD.”

Even today, as the world races toward that great and final day of judgment, the Gospel call echoes from Zephaniah’s ancient voice: “Seek ye the LORD.” The elect will hear. They will turn. They will run to Christ, their hiding place, knowing that in Him alone is shelter from wrath and peace with God. And to all who are in Christ, the promise is sure: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Hidden in Him, we shall not fear the day of wrath—for the wrath has already fallen, and the blood of the Lamb has reconciled us to God already so that our judgment is already passed. Colossians 1:20- And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

When we are made to know our depravity by the Spirit of Christ, we're also made to know that God's anger, His wrath for our sin, was spent in its entirety on His Son and in his body! 1 Peter 2:24-

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.