Zephaniah 2:13-15

He will stretch out His hand against the north.

National pride and national ruin

Two facts are suggested--

I. That men are often prone to pride themselves on the greatness of their country. The men of the city of Nineveh--the capital of Assyria--were proud of their nation. There was much in the city of Nineveh to account for, if not to justify, the exultant spirit of its population. It was the metropolis of a vast empire; it was a city 60 miles in compass, it had walls 100 feet high, and so thick and strong that three chariots could be driven abreast on them; it had 1500 massive towers. Italy, Austria, Germany, America, England, each says in its spirit, “I am, and there is none beside me.” This spirit of national boasting is unjustifiable. There is nothing in a nation of which it should be proud, except moral excellence. On the contrary, how much ignorance, sensuality, worldliness, intolerance, impiety, that should humble us in the dust. It is moreover a foolish spirit. It is a check to true national progress, and its haughty swaggerings tend to irritate other countries.

II. That the greatest country must sooner or later fall to ruin. “He will stretch out His hand against the north, and destroy Assyria.” “Flocks shall lie down in the midst of her,” etc. Not only a receptacle for beasts, but a derision to travellers. “Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.” This is the fate that awaits all the nations under heaven, even the greatest. (Homilist.)