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Day 21 : Book of Zephaniah [ Zephaniah 1-3 ] |
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Introduction
- This prophets name means ‘he whom the Lord has hidden.’
- In 1:1, he traces his ancestry back for four generations to King Hezekiah.
- The conditions describing Judah and Jerusalem in this book suggest that
Josiah’s reforms had not yet started.
- We know little about this prophet, except that he was from Jerusalem.
- We also know from his writing that he was consumed with the righteous
indignation of the Lord against the rampant sin! He focussedon the coming
day of the Lord!
Destruction Of Judah (Zeph. 1:1-2:3)
- Their destruction will be complete (1:2-3).
- The destruction will start with Judah (1:4-13). [Destruction because of Baal
worship mixed in with the worship of God (v4), astrological worship (v5),
following foreign customs (v.8-9) ].
- The destruction is called the “great day of the Lord” (1:14-18).
- The destruction may be limited on the humble (2:1-3). [ Nation has crossed
the point of no return. But there is hope for the individuals who are humble].
Destruction Of Surrounding Nations (Zeph. 2:4-3:8)
(1) Philistia (v.4-7),
(2) Moab and Ammon (v.8-11),
(3) Cush - a reference to Ethiopia, which also means Egypt (v.12),
(4) Assyria (V.13-15).
God expected the destruction of other nations to cause his nation to learn and repent. Yet, Judah
failed to repent (3:6-7). Therefore God was going to judge the world by his jealous anger and by pouring out his
wrath (3:8).
Destruction Will Give Birth To A Remnant (Zeph. 3:9-20)
God dreams of a remnant who will serve him and call on his name. Characteristics of the remnant are:
- purified lips that calls on the name of the Lord (v9).
- Bring offerings (v10).
- Meek, humble and those who trust in God (v12).
- No lies (v13).
God rejoiced over his remnant. He delights in them. Sings for them. We again see the heart of God here. How he
longs to have an intimate relationship with his people. Are we the remnant of God’s people? Are we the ones who
take refuge in Him? Or are we the ones consumed by His wrath? Let us humble ourselves and draw closer to God!
Application :
Sing your favorite song to God and rejoice with Him.
Psalm 69:30-31
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.This will please the LORD.
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