A Time to Sweep

Spring has arrived in the Northwest. The days are getting longer, the temperature is getting warmer, and with spring come thoughts of spring cleaning. It's time to rake the yard, clean the house, sweep up the dirt, dust and debris that has accumulated through the winter. Zephaniah announces that the Lord is coming and he, too, is going to clean house. Three times he declares his intention to sweep away everything. The Hebrew term means to gather up for the purpose of removing, discarding and destroying. Is there any hope in the midst of God's thorough judgment?