Thursday, August 11, 2016

Thursday August 11: Zephaniah 1-3 ~Cameron

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Zephaniah 1-3

Zephaniah appears to be unique among the prophets giving four generations of his lineage as introduction. One commentary said this was done to ensure that Hezekiah's name was included and that there was no reason to think this would not be King Hezekiah. See, not all prophets have to live in deserts or caves. This one may have been royalty.

As far as end times prophecies go, this book is pretty standard. Judgement to the offenders, Judgement of the nations, etc. But chapter 3 brought forth a great Truth in light of Judgement: salvation is available to both jews and gentiles.

God's Judgement culminates with chapter 3:8:

“Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord,
“for the day when I rise up to seize the prey.
For my decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
to pour out upon them my indignation,
all my burning anger;
for in the fire of my jealousy
all the earth shall be consumed."


And yet,

“On that day you shall not be put to shame
because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty
in my holy mountain.
But I will leave in your midst
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord" - Chapter 3:11-12


There will come a time when God shows Himself to the world. Don't wait until then to "take refuge in the name of the Lord". Salvation has been offered to all peoples and available now.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage2 Kings 23:29-30, 2 Chronicles 35:20-27, Jeremiah 47-48


3 comments:

Conrad said...

Before the decree takes effect -before the day passes away like chaff- before there comes upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD. - Zephaniah 2:2-3

One day everyone will see the power of our God. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to find Him at a young age and that I was brought up in a Chrstian home. Not everyone has had that opportunity, so we need to share this awesome gift with those that do not know Him.

Nathan said...

Zephaniah 1:18

Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.

A reminder of how unimportant our things we gather here on earth are, we need Jesus to save us, only He can do this. Our money and things we own don't really matter at the end of the day.

Tammy said...

Interesting point about the short genealogy to begin the book!

2:2 Gather before judgment beings, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls and the terrible day of the Lord's anger begins.

We don't know when the day of judgment is coming, but we know it's coming, so we need to act now, while it's not too late! A good reminder of how urgent it also is to spread the good news.

3:17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

It's amazing to me to think of God rejoicing over us with singing.