Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 12
June 2, 1960
NUMBER 5, PAGE 5b

Searching Jerusalem

Kenneth W. Wilson

In Zephaniah 1: 12-13 God says, "And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof." The story expressed in these verses concerning Judah and Jerusalem is a typical scene repeated many times in the Old Testament, and more regretful, has been reenacted too many times in our own day. It is indeed a sad thing to see God's patience and forbearance abused, his grace despised and all his pleadings and warnings to repent spurned by presumptuous men, yet how often, it is done.

First we notice the words "it shall come to pass." There are many things that we must preface with an "if" or "perhaps" but not so in hearing God speak. We need never be doubtful or think in our hearts "perchance" where God has spoken. His word is sure and steadfast, his counsel immutable and he is not slack concerning his promises, (II Pet. 3:9.) Though we may continue doing as we desire today, God's day is at hand.

Second, we see where God is searching. It is in Jerusalem among his chosen. We ought to ever remember that we are under the scrutiny of God's law when we depart from his way. His watchful and protecting eye is over us as his children and he will not turn his head when we depart. Rather, he searches us out with the light of his word. We may like the dark corners to hide in from God but his candles will penetrate the darkness and find us out. When God gave warning to Judah to repent they bowed their neck and would not, thinking that God would do nothing. They reckoned not with the sureness of God's word or the brightness of his light.

God was bound to punish those "settled on their lees." Determining to continue in our own lusts and pleasure, seeking the sensual and worldly we dull and stupefy our sensibilities. We reckon that "God will not do good, neither will he do evil."

Finally, we see the outcome. The things built and planted are for nought; our energies and talents expended and consumed in an idol monument. How tragic! How futile! To build and not build for God is to build for the enemy, for God will give it away. The enemy feasting on the spoils, the labour of our hands. It would not be so tragic if it were not for the countless number of souls that will be lost for our blindness. The sure word of God can illuminate our darkness. May we not bow our necks as did Judah, but rather welcome the searching rays of truth. Pray that what we build will redound to God's glory and be according to his will. Shall we be desolate? "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly." Zephaniah 1:14.