I bribe my kids. There it is, I said it. I am not going to pretend I don’t. “If you all can behave at this doctor’s appointment and not fuss with each other, we’ll go to the park afterwards.” “If you can get your room tidied up in 10 minutes, I’ll let you stay up a little longer.” These incentives are, of course, conditional to their obedience to the things I first asked them to do. “If this, then this;” therefore, if not, then no reward. Many of the good things I promise my kids are completely contingent on their end of a bargain, and if I’m really being honest, many times I don’t have to pay out, because they’ll break the deal first.  

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God is often referred to as our “Father,” so it’s natural to think of a parent-child relationship as He speaks. In the book of Zephaniah, God makes it clear that destruction is coming for all people groups due to their rebelliousness. Yet, just when it seems He will destroy everything and everyone in his righteous anger, God makes it clear that, for some, His wrath poured out will not result in destruction, but purification. There will be a remnant that will not be punished. In fact, to the contrary, God lists out many blessings they will receive instead.  

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In case it isn’t obvious, God doesn’t operate like me: a desperate parent, hoping my kids will fall for a bribe. He is full of grace and mercy, offering honor in place of shame, and delight in place of rebuke. Most of chapter 3 is full of language which conveys God’s heart for his people, but in today’s verse alone we have several examples of His promises. Back up and count how many times the word “I” appears in this one verse. All that God will do is meant to stir their hearts toward Him.  

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He will “gather” and “bring you home.”  A homecoming party sounds just so lovely. While the word home usually evokes feelings of being comfortable, or even just a sense of rightness, there also must be a sense of what home truly is for this promise to really have meaning. I believe we have been given a sense of home by God, so we know when something is right, which is why when someone near our heart passes away, we say we’re longing for Heaven. This promise of gathering and home is a promise of making things right.  

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God also promises to “give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth.” However, this blessing is not a result of repentance – God is not honoring good behavior. Instead, He is causing His people to live righteously, that others would take notice. This remnant cannot claim superiority. They have, for no discernable reason, been given grace – simply because God chose to give it to them.  

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This verse ends with God promising to “restore your fortunes.” God makes it clear that all will be restored. This is incredibly generous, and that kind of generosity often leaves us scratching our heads in confusion. After all, God’s people had deserved the punishment He described. But I’m so thankful that God’s blessing isn’t conditional. He isn’t like me saying, “If this, then this.” He’s going to do these things, all with the hope that His people will recognize His blessing and turn to Him. God is doing all the work! He is making a way. His generosity isn’t transactional; it’s transformational.

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When I think of the stark contrast between how I parent, my if/then type of bargaining, in comparison to God’s approach, I am struck by how generous He is. On the rare occasions that I am feeling generous, I am amazed at how my children typically respond. I assume they will be spoiled rotten if I reward them without the work, and I believe the incentives will drive them to voluntary obedience, but it often proves futile and sometimes sours into resentful obedience. God, by contrast, lays out His plan of generous blessing and waits for His people to respond.  

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Have you considered all our generous God has offered you? Maybe you’re thinking of God as a transactional parent with an if/then mentality. He wants transformation of your heart – a response because of love, not obligation. Will you allow him to purify your heart, transforming you from a rebellious child to a willing heart today?

Lord, I pray that we would be people who do not invoke your wrath but rather respond to your grace. Thank you for your love and how your Word brings to life the different aspects of your character that we struggle to understand. I pray that we will see all you have already blessed us with and be transformed into people who love you and obey willingly.  

Amen.  

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Join us for R.E.S.T.O.R.E., this week's 7-Day Prayer Movement, as we prepare to fast and worship on Sunday!