Because of their sins, the nations around Judah would also feel the wrath of God. The other prophets had warned them that judgment was coming (Isa. 14–20; Jer. 46–49; Amos 1–2), but the Gentiles did not repent. The prophet used several agricultural images to describe their coming judgment: like chaff (v. 2), like a tree uprooted (v. 4), “overrun with weeds” (v. 9), like a desert (v. 13).
God would punish their mistreatment of His people (v. 8; Gen. 12:1–3), their pride (v. 10), and their worship of false gods (v. 11). God still punishes these sins today.
In His mercy, God called the people to turn from their sins and seek the Lord (vv. 1–3). The meek ones (God’s remnant; 3:12) would be hidden in God and cared for during the day of wrath (1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9–10; Rev. 3:10). Are you among the humble or the haughty (v. 10)?
