Zephaniah

Continuing with my reading of minor prophets, I picked up Zephaniah today.  It's interesting after enjoying such a bountiful feast yesterday to see the woes that are described for the whole world in the prophecy.  Zephaniah says, in verse 1:18:

Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath.  In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.

Zephaniah goes on for a while about the destruction of the world, nations, and "the city of oppressors" by God, but it does contain the prophetic turn toward God at the end, and promises of salvation for God's people.  The comfort of modern America is a stark contrast to the severe physical conditions of Biblical time, but I think Zephaniah has it right when he says there is no room to be "haughty" on God's holy hill.  Our temptation is to be haughty because of our relative wealth.  The U.S. is still the richest country on Earth, I think -- definitely the biggest economy, and per capita GDP is probably pretty close to #1.  Anyway, my point is, do we see ourselves as God's people, or do we put too much trust in things?  I know American culture is definitely too much of a consumer culture.  Even our current economic woes haven't changed the pattern of encouraging more and more consumption -- bigger and bigger restaurant plates, bigger and bigger combo meals, bigger and bigger televisions -- more and more.  Look at Black Friday and what it's become, after all. We are the "city of oppressors" to some people around the world, and who's to say that Gods' wrath can't be aimed at our love of wealth?  Most Americans are decent people, but we take so much for granted, and we do live with comforts that Biblical prophets wouldn't even comprehend.  On a day like today, the day after Thanksgiving, I am still grateful that I live in the U.S. because of the freedoms and privileges that come with being an American.  But I can't help but wonder, are we less prepared than we think we are for what's to come?