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"Gaza shall be forsaken"

Text: Zephaniah 2:4

THE DAY OF THE LORD

The prophet Zephaniah employed different phrases to describe the Day of the LORD. Though differently described it referred to the same event.

1. The day of the LORD Zephaniah 1:7

2. The day of the LORD’S sacrifice Zephaniah 1:8

3. The great day of the LORD Zephaniah 1:14

4. The day of wrath Zephaniah 1:15

5. The day of the LORD’S anger Zephaniah 2:3

THE EXTENT OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD

Zephaniah devoted a whole chapter to describe the extent of the judgment of God (Zephaniah 2). Five countries were highlighted, namely, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia and Assyria (Zephaniah 2:4-15).

JUDGMENT AGAINST PHILISTIA

The first nation to hear this word of judgment was Philistia. Four major cities were named.

“For Gaza shall be forsaken,
And Ashkelon desolate;
They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday,
And Ekron shall be uprooted.”
Zephaniah 2:4

1. There were five main cities of the Philistines

a) Only four were mentioned. The missing city was Gath.

b) The four mentioned here continued to remain strong over the years.

2. Gaza

a) It was well-populated.

b) But it would end up “forsaken”.

3. Ashkelon

a) It was another mighty city.

b) But it would end up “desolate”.

4. Ashdod

a) Nobody could easily overcome this strong city.

b) Yet Ashdod would perish “at noonday”.

5. Ekron

a) This was another major stronghold in the past.

b) It would be simply “uprooted!”