Where Complacency Takes You

Warren E. Berkley

Zeph. 1:12 — At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.‘

When wine or grape juice is allowed to set out and settle, “without having ever been drawn off or emptied from vessel to vessel” – it becomes thick and goes bad.

This is the picture God gives through Zephaniah in the above text. Over the years, the people gradually settled into a very low place of prosperity, affluence and the available carnal pleasures. The “wine” lost its flavor and went bitter. As one commentator wrote: “…as good wine becomes better and bad wine worse from being allowed to settle,” so godly people can become better through their continued growth and response to God’s grace. Those who slowly settle into worldly living suffer a loss of their previous goodness and become more and more comfortable in their worldly entanglements.  

The slow deterioration illustrated in this text can be avoided by our determination to excel in everything that is good and holy. “…Excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love…,” (2 Cor. 8:7).

Resources:

Commentary on the Minor Prophets, Homer Hailey

Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 14

Wings Like Eagles, by David King, Vol. 3, p.#307