Shepherds and Flocks Zephaniah 2:6

Among the surrounding cities of Judah and Jerusalem that were prophesied by Zephaniah to be destroyed was Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Ekron. He also included the “Cherethites” which means “executioners” and “Canaan, the land of the Philistines” which would be so decimated that there would “be no inhabitant” there. In chapter two and verse six of his prophesy, Zephaniah continued his foretelling by sharing concerning the “shepherds” and “flocks” which would dwell among the “sea coast” where we read:

And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

The verse begins, “And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds,...” Zephaniah continued his words concerning the judgment of the surrounding areas of Judah and Jerusalem by adding, “And the sea coast” or “sea territory” “shall be dwellings” which refers to “abodes, habitations and meadows of sheep or shepherds” “and cottages” which is the Hebrew word “karah” and means “pits or cisterns” “for shepherds” or “pasturing, tending, grazing and feeding”. The idea is the land would be so destroyed that “shepherds” would use the wide open area for watering and feeding their sheep.

The verse continues, “...and folds for flocks.” Zephaniah continued, “and folds” which refers to “walls or hedges such as a sheepfold” “for flocks” or “small cattle such as sheep and goats”. These places were to be so desolate, they would be only useable for keeping and caring for sheep and goats.

When we meditate upon Zephaniah's words concerning these “sea coast” areas, we can picture in our minds a thriving community suddenly so destroyed that only “shepherding” would be useful there. What if our metropolis areas which were beaming with activity, commerce and joyful play were suddenly turned into pastures with cisterns? It is interesting to remember “this really happened”, and those who were living there had no idea other than prophesies these judgments were imminent. As we think through these things, let us be aware that our situation could be altered at any time as well, and our dependence or lack thereof in the LORD Jesus Christ would be revealed at that time. May we savor this thought, the LORD desired for us to consider the area of “the sea coast” that we might know with certainty that He is ultimately in charge and control, and may we live in such a manner that should everything we have be suddenly destroyed, we will always be in alignment with Him who is able to turn commercial cities into pastures for feeding and watering “sheep and goats”.

Next time Zephaniah shares concerning “the remnant”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Cherethites and Canaan Zephaniah 2:5

As Zephaniah continued his prophesy concerning the punishment of Judah and Jerusalem, he began to include the surrounding cities of “Gaza”, “Ashkelon”, “Ashdod” and “Ekron”. In chapter two and verse five of his prophesy he added the “Cherethites” and “Canaan” to his list where we read:

Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy you, that there shall be no inhabitant.

The verse begins, “Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan,...” Zephaniah began with the word “Woe” which means “ah!, alas!, ha!, ho!, O!” “unto the inhabitants” or “those who dwell, remain, sit, stay and abide” “of the seacoasts” which refers to “the sea territory or band” “the nation” or “people” “of the Cherethites!” which means “executioners” and were “a group of foreign mercenary soldiers serving as a bodyguard for king David; also executioners”. Zephaniah continued with “the word” or “speech, speaking, saying or utterance” “of the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah, the existing One and the proper name of the one true God” “is against you; O Canaan,” which means “lowland” and was “the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua”. When the judgment of the LORD fell upon these “Cherethites” and the inhabitants of “Canaan” there was to be great “Woe” upon them.

The verse goes on to say, “...the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy you, that there shall be no inhabitant....” . Zephaniah went on to be more specific about “Canaan” as he wrote, “the land” or “earth, country, territory, district or region” “of the Philistines” which means “immigrants” and were “the inhabitants of Philistia and descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan” “I will even destroy” or “perish, vanish, and make astray” “you that there shall be no inhabitant” which refers to “those who dwell, remain, sit, stay and abide there”. Zephaniah prophesied that the destruction of the Philistines was to be so complete that not one “inhabitant” would remain there.

When we think through Zephaniah's words, we see how thorough the LORD was to be in his judgment of the cities which surrounded Judah. No one was to escape from the land of the Philistines, and the “Cherethites” who were once “executioners” were to be executed themselves. When the Bible pronounces a “Woe” upon people, it is good for us to take heed. Exemption from punishment from the LORD could have easily been obtained if the people would have turned from their wicked ways and followed after Him. In the same manner, the LORD Jesus Christ extends salvation through His grace from the punishment for our sins, and He demonstrated His appeal to us by His death on the cross. The only question is whether we will receive His free gift or not. If we receive it, we will be exempt from well-deserved future judgment, but if we refuse, great “Woe” will rest upon us from the One with whom we have to do.

Next time Zephaniah shares more concerning “the sea coast”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Gaza, Ashkelon, Asdod and Ekron Zephaniah 2:4

As Zephaniah continued his prophesy concerning Judah and Jerusalem, he called them to “gather together” “before the decree, the day and the anger” of the LORD went forth. He further instructed them to “seek the LORD”, “righteousness” and “meekness” that they “may be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger”. In chapter two and verse four of his prophesy, Zephaniah turns his attention toward the judgment of the heathen nations which surrounded Judah including, “Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Ekron” where we read:

For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

The verse begins, “For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation:” Zephaniah began with the phrase “For Gaza” which means “the strong” and was “a city of the Philistines located in the extreme southwest of Palestine close to the Mediterranean” “shall be forsaken” or “left, loosed, forsaken and let alone” “and Ashkelon” which means “a fire of infamy: I shall be weighed” and was “a maritime city of the Philistines, southwest of Jerusalem” “a desolation” or “devastation or waste”. Though Gaza and Ashkelon which surrounded Judah may have thought themselves exempt from God's punishment, their fate was to be “loosed” and “wasted”.

The verse continues, “they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.” Zephaniah went on to add, “they shall drive out” or “expel, cast out, drive away, divorce, put away, thrust away, trouble and cast up” “Ashdod” which means “powerful” and was “a major Philistine city on the Mediterranean Sea west from Jerusalem, modern Esdud” “at the noon day” or “midday or noon”. Zephaniah continued, “and Ekron” which means “emigration” and was “the most northerly of the five principal cities of the Philistines; located in the lowlands of Judah and later given to Dan” “shall be rooted up” or “plucked up, cut or hamstrung”. Even these two “powerful” and “emigration” cities were to be driven out and uprooted from their homesteads in “the great day of the LORD”.

When we consider Zephaniah's words concerning these four surrounding cities of Judah, our minds may think of the thoroughness of the punishment from the LORD. Though Judah and Jerusalem had forsaken the LORD and His ways, these pagan gentile cities had never followed after Him. Judgment was to come upon Judah, and the overflow of punishment would reach “Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Ekron” as well. There was to be no exemption, and all those who were opposed to the LORD were to fall beneath His punishing hand. The only escape was to repent of their ways and turn or return to a relationship with Him. Thus it is today. When a person, whether familiar with the LORD and His ways or not, turns or returns to the LORD Jesus Christ God's Son, forgiveness is available, and judgment is put away. May all who read these words take heed and obey Him before there is no time to choose.

Next time Zephaniah shares about “the sea coast”, “Cherethites” and “Canaan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Seek the Lord Zephaniah 2:3

The LORD through Zephaniah, called Judah and Jerusalem to “gather together” so they might return to Him and His ways “before” there was “a decree, the day pass and the fierce anger of the LORD” fell upon them. As he continued in chapter two and verse three of his prophesy, Zephaniah called for the people to “Seek the LORD” where we read:

Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be you shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

The verse begins, “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment;” Zephaniah began with the word “Seek” which means “look for justice, rightness, righteousness, what is right, normal and just” “the LORD” or “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “all you meek” which refers to “the poor, humble, afflicted, weak and needy” “of the earth” or “the land, country, territory, district or region”. Zephaniah went on to say, “which have wrought” or “done, made or kept” “his judgment” which refers to “ordinances, acts of deciding a case, process, procedure and cause”. Zephaniah's appeal is to those who are “humbled, afflicted and needy” as well as those who have “done” what the LORD has asked in His “ordinances”.

The verse continues, “seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be you shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.” Zephaniah went on to instruct, “seek righteousness” or “look for justice, rightness, righteousness, what is right, normal and just” “seek meekness” which means “look for humility, modesty, gentleness and divine and objective clemency” “it may be” or “perhaps, peradventure and suppose” “you shall be hid” which means “concealed and carefully hidden” “in the day” or “time, year and period” “of the LORD'S” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “anger” which literally means “nostril, nose or face” and notes the facial expression, countenance and hard breathing which come from one whose ire is raised and wrath is shown . The people who are “meek” and “keeping” the LORD'S “ordinances” are promised the possibility of the LORD “concealing and carefully hiding them” when “the hard breathing wrath of the LORD” shall come.

When we think about these words of Zephaniah, we understand his appeal to people who have kept the ordinances of the LORD, have not forsaken Him and have humbly kept Him in their lives. These people were promised the opportunity to “avoid” the pending judgment, and still, the overriding implication is that everyone who reads these words would position themselves as “meek” and seekers of “righteousness”. Are we “meek” in spirit? Have we “kept” his ordinances? Are we seeking His “righteousness”, and are we seeking “humility”? Perhaps as we meditate upon the promise found in this verse, we too will find ourselves desiring to be “hidden” from “the LORD'S anger” as we live in days when many reject the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Next time Zephaniah shares about “Gaza”, “Ashkelon”, “Ashdod” and “Ekron”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Before, Before, Before and Before Zephaniah 2:2

Zephaniah prophesied the LORD's words as he called the people of Judah and Jerusalem to “gather together”, and then he called them “a nation not desired”. In chapter two and verse two of his prophesy, Zephaniah continued his words by sharing four phrases that should be heeded “before” the punishment from God would fall where we read:

Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.

The verse begins, “Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff,...” Zephaniah began with the phrase, “Before the decree” which means “in advance of the statute, ordinance, limit and prescribed task” “bring forth” or “bear, beget, gender, travail or be born” “before the day” which refers to “the time, year, period of division of time” “pass” or “alienate, carry, do away, take away, cross, pass or march over and traverse” “as the chaff” which means “the winnowed loose threshing which is blown away by the wind”. Zephaniah desired for the nation of Judah to “gather together” “before” the statute and ordinance would declare the time when judgment would fall.

The verse continues, “...before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.” Zephaniah continued, “before the fierce anger” or “in advance of the burning and heated sore displeasure, fury and wrath which is shown in the nostrils, nose and face” “of the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah the existing One and the proper name of the one true God” “come upon you” or “go in, enter, go and come in” “before the day” which refers to “” “of the LORD's” which is “Yehovah or Jehovah the existing One and the proper name of the one true God” “anger” or “wrath which is shown in the nostrils, nose and face” “come upon you” which means “go in, enter, go and come in”. Two times Zephaniah referred to “the anger” “of the LORD” which shows a strong displeasure with the manner in which the people were living. Zephaniah's desire was for the people to heed these warnings as the “gathered together” to consider them.

As we think through these words of Zephaniah, let us note the four warnings and appeals which the LORD gave to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “before the decree; before the day pass; before the fierce anger; and before the LORD's anger”. “The decree”, “the day”, “the anger” and again “the anger” could all be avoided. The reason he called them to “gather together” was to appeal to them to return to Him “before” all these things occurred. There was no strong desire from the LORD to bring judgment and punishment upon the people, these would be the results of their turning away from Him and His ways. As we consider this, we must wonder if He is calling the same phrases to us today. Is there pending doom and destruction which could be avoided if we would only turn our hearts toward Him and His Son Jesus Christ? Would there be a different future for us as there would have been for Judah and Jerusalem if we would only return to His ways? May the LORD Jesus help us to examine our own lives and the life of our country to determine if there are “before” phrases to which we should heed before it is too late.

Next time Zephaniah tells the people to “seek the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Gather Together Zephaniah 2:1

“The great day of the LORD” was near to Judah and Jerusalem for their apostasy and abandonment of “Yehovah God” and His ways, and though the people there held positions, money, reputation or status, none of them was to be exempt from His punishment and judgment. In chapter two and verse one of his prophesy, Zephaniah calls for the people to “gather” themselves “together”, and calls them “O nation not desired” where we read:

Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O nation not desired;

The verse begins, “Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,...” Zephaniah began, “Gather yourselves together” which is the Hebrew word “qashash” and means “assemble, collect as in gathering stubble or sticks” “yes, gather together” which is the same word “qashash” employed again. Zephaniah's called for the people assemble themselves as those who might avoid punishment by coming together before the LORD.

The verse continues, “O nation not desired;” Zephaniah went on to call them, “O nation” or “people” “not desired” which means “longed for, yearned for deeply”. The idea is both “not desiring” which means they did not desire the LORD and “not longed for” or “were not desired themselves”.

When we think through these words of Zephaniah, we see the beckoning of the LORD for the people of Judah and Jerusalem to turn to Him. Oh what tragedy it is when people reject the LORD and become as a people who are undesirable themselves. The LORD God is desiring for the people to “gather together” for the forgiveness of their sins rather than the judgment of them, and if they would only assemble to do so, pardon would be before them. How many who read these words have turned away from the LORD Jesus and forsaken His ways? How many will be challenged today to “gather” themselves “together” and be available for his pardon? May we examine our hearts and minds and “gather together” before Him in repentance should we discover any wayward way lest we become “not desired”.

Next time Zephaniah declares before, before, before and before, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Neither Silver nor Gold will Deliver Zephaniah 1:18

Zephaniah continued his prophesy concerning the “wrath, trouble, distress, wasteness, desolation, darkness, gloominess, clouds and thick darkness” of the nearness of “the great day of the LORD”. He said it would be “a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities and against the high towers”. He declared how the LORD would bring so much “distress upon men” they would “walk like blind men” and “their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung”. In chapter one and verse eighteen of his prophesy, Zephaniah the royal prophet shared how not even “silver or gold shall be able to deliver them” where we read:

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

The verse begins, “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath;” As he continued his thought, Zephaniah declared, “Neither their silver” which referred to their “lesser precious metal used as coins or money” “nor their gold” which was their greater precious metal used as coins, money or measure of weight” “shall be able” or “capable to prevail, overcome, have ability, have strength or be a victor” “to deliver” which means “tear away, strip off or spoil” “them in the day” which is the Hebrew word “yowm” and means “day, time, period or year” “of the LORD's” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah, the existing One and the proper name of the one true God” “wrath” or “outpouring, overflow, excess, fury and outburst”. In other words, not even their precious earthly means would be able to keep them from the outpouring of the LORD's fury when His judgment falls upon them.

The verse goes on to say, “but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy:” Zephaniah continued with, “but the whole land” which means “country, territory, district, region and inhabitants” “shall be devoured” or “eaten, burned up, consumed and slain” “by the fire” which refers to “flames and anger” “of his jealousy” which refers to “his ardor, zeal and passion”. No one within the land of Judah and Jerusalem would be exempt from the consuming power of the LORD when His punishment would fall.

Finally the verse says, “for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” Zephaniah added, “for he shall make” or “do, fashion, accomplish, produce, prepare, attend to and put in order” “even a speedy” or “hurried, disturbed, anxious, hasty and terrified” “riddance” which means “completion, termination, full end, complete destruction, consummation and annihilation” “of all them that dwell” which refers to “those who remain, sit and abide” “in the land” or “country, territory, district, region and inhabitants”. Not only would the LORD's judgment be complete, but it would also rapidly be upon everyone who lived in Judah and Jerusalem.

If we meditate upon these words of the LORD through Zephaniah, we should allow ourselves to be in the position of the ones hearing his prophecy. What an ominous proclamation was made against the people Judah, and when we think about no one being exempt even if they have earthly means such as “silver and gold”, we know the completeness of the punishment from the LORD. The people had forsaken God and His ways, and now His punishment was to fall upon them. Let us take heed to Zephaniah's prophesy and examine our own ways to be certain we follow after the LORD Jesus Christ and listen should He ever warned of pending doom.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Zephaniah tell the people to “gather together”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Distress and Walking Like Blind Men Zephaniah 1:17

Judgment and punishment was to fall upon Judah and Jerusalem for their apostasy from the LORD and His ways, and Zephaniah was one of the prophets chosen to deliver the news. “The great day of the LORD” was near, and it would bring “wrath, trouble, distress, wasteness, desolation, darkness, gloominess” and “a day of clouds and thick darkness”. It was to be a “day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers”, and in chapter one and verse seventeen of his prophesy Zephaniah shared how the LORD would “bring distress upon men” and how “they shall walk like blind men” where we read:

And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.

The verse begins, “And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men,...” Zephaniah began with the phrase, “And I will bring distress” which is all one Hebrew word “tsarar” which means “to bind, be narrow, besiege, be straightened and be bound” “upon men” which included “mankind or human beings” “that they shall walk” or “come, go, proceed, move or depart” “like blind men” or “literally or figuratively like those who cannot see”. When the judgment of the LORD fell upon the people, they would be bound and blind in their ways, and no one would be able to deliver them.

The verse goes on to say, “...because they have sinned against the LORD:” Zephaniah went on to say, “because they have sinned” which is one Hebrew word “chata'” which means “missed the way, went wrong, incurred guilt and forfeited” “against the LORD” or “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the one true God”. The reason the people would face the “distress” and “walk like blind men” was because they “went wrong and missed the way” of God.

Finally the verse says, “and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.” Zephaniah added, “and their blood” or “which is the life giving source of the body” “shall be poured out” which means “spilled or shed” “as dust” or “dry earth, powder, ashes, ground, mortar, rubbish and debris” “and their flesh” which literally is “their intestines or bowels” and refers to “physical bodies” “as the dung” or “excrement”. We can only imagine the horror and suffering these people were to endure in their souls, minds and bodies when the judgment of the LORD poured out upon them.

When we meditate upon Zephaniah's words, we may wonder why anyone would not repent when they heard these horrific things. We should remember that judgment had not fallen upon them at this point, and they could have turned back to the LORD at any time. We know from history, they did not. When we consider these things from our own perspective, would we react in the same manner to the LORD's prophesy? Would we not heed the warnings of God and realize that should we continue on our apostate path, we too will walk in “distress” and “as blind men”? May the LORD reveal to us any area in which we are fallen away from Him, and if we have abandoned Him completely, let us repent before Jesus of our sins before it is too late.

Next time Zephaniah shares how neither “silver nor gold” will be able to deliver them, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

A Day of the Trumpet and Alarm Zephaniah 1:16

As Zephaniah prophesied judgment and punishment upon Judah and Jerusalem, he warned of the nearness of “the great day of the LORD”, and he declared it to be “a day of wrath”, “trouble”, “distress”, “wasteness”, “desolation”, “darkness”, “gloominess” and “a day of clouds and thick darkness”. In chapter one and verse sixteen of his prophesy, Zephaniah continued his words as he shared about that “day” being “a day of the trumpet and alarm” where we read:

A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.

The verse begins, “A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities,...” Zephaniah continued his thoughts concerning the “great day of the LORD” by adding that it would be “a day” which is the Hebrew word “yowm” which means “time, year or period” “of the trumpet” which is the Hebrew word “showphar” which means “horn or ram's horn” “and alarm” or “signal, sound of tempest, shout, blast of war or battle cry” “against the fenced” or “gathered, restrained, fortified, made inaccessible, enclosed or cut off” “cities” which were “guarded towns or dwelling places of people”. The “battle-cry” of Judah's enemy was to come against them in the “great day of the LORD”, and like a warning “trumpet” which would “alert” the city they were under attack, this “great day” would have it impact upon them no matter how well defensed they thought themselves to be.

The verse goes on to say, “...and against the high towers.” Zephaniah added, “and against the high” or “exalted, tall, proud and haughty” “towers” which literally means “corner, angle or square” and refers to “a pinnacle, chieftain, bulwark or stay”. The “angles” of the towers which were built within the walls were designed so attacking armies would be warded off from both sides. Zephaniah's prophesy declared not even such a design would be able to prevent the penetration of “great day of the LORD”.

When we think through Zephaniah's words, we realize the dependence Judah had upon their “fenced cities” and their “high towers” for their protection. They felt their barrier walls and “high towers” were their defense, when actually “the LORD” was. Whenever “the LORD” was to bring judgment upon Judah, all He had to do is “lift His protective hand”, and there was no defense of their own making that would prevent the attack. We must realize that our greatest defense is in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Should He ever decide to allow us to protect ourselves, enemies will find ways to destroy us. If we have forsaken His protection, we have opened ourselves to the penetration of the enemy and no defensive measure will keep us fully protected. Let us allow the LORD Jesus to help us realize the security we have in Him, and rather than rely upon our “fenced cities” and “high towers” when the “trumpet and alarm” sound, may He become the One upon whom we fully place our trust.

Next time Zephaniah shares how the LORD “will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

That Day is a Day of Wrath Zephaniah 1:15

Zephaniah prophesied that “the great day of the LORD is near” and when it comes, “the mighty man shall cry there bitterly”. Though these bravest men within the country of Judah showed their boldness and fortitude in the past, when “the great day of the LORD” would appear, none of their bravado would stand. In chapter one and verse fifteen of his prophesy, Zephaniah shared more concerning this “great day of the LORD” as he called it a “day of wrath, trouble, distress” and more where we read:

That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

The verse begins, “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress,...” Zephaniah began by referencing “That day is a day” which in Hebrew is “yowm yowm” and means “time, year or period”, and it was stated twice for emphasis as he continued, “of wrath” or “outpouring, overflow, excess, fury, outburst and rage”. Not only would it be a day of “outburst and rage” but also, “a day of trouble” which referred to “a time period of straits, distress, vexer and rival” “and distress” or “straitness, stress, straits and anguish”. This time period of which Zephaniah wrote was to be abundantly horrific and horrible upon the people of Judah.

The verse continues, “... a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,...” Zephaniah went on to add, “a day of wasteness” or “ravage, devastation, ruin and waste” “and desolation” which means “ruin, wreck and waste”, and he continued with “a day of darkness” or “obscurity, misery and a secret place” “and gloominess” which means “darkness, calamity and wickedness”. Finally Zephaniah added, “a day of clouds” or “cloudy or a cloudy mass” “and darkness” which means “heavy or dark clouds, gross and thick darkness”. We can almost picture the “the great day of the LORD” appearing like a dark looming storm, and those within its destructive path would soon know the distress and troubles it brings.

As we think through this verse of Zephaniah's prophesy, it is interesting to note that he used the word “yowm” six times within it. Like parents who gives warnings to their children, Zephaniah over and over used “the great time period of the LORD” and told of the pending judgment and results which would come when it did. Let us put ourselves in the people of Judah's position and imagine hearing these words. Would we take heed? Would we believe the results Zephaniah prophesied? Should “the great day of the LORD” fall upon us, would we have the same results as the people of Judah? May the LORD Jesus help us know the importance of heeding His words, and let all who read these words who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior and LORD find someone who can share about Him before His “great day” falls upon them.

Next time Zephaniah shares how“that day of wrath” will be “a day of trumpet and alarm”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Great Day of the LORD is Near Zephaniah 1:14

Because the people of Judah and Jerusalem abandoned the LORD and his ways, Zephaniah was given the task of prophesying over them “punishment” and “judgment”. Zephaniah wrote that not only would many of them lose their lives, but also their “goods shall become a booty”, “their houses a desolation” and they would “build houses, but not inhabit them” and “shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof”. In chapter one and verse fourteen of his prophesy, Zephaniah continued as he wrote concerning “the great day of the LORD” being “near” where we read:

The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hastes greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

The verse begins, “The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hastes greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD:” Zephaniah began with the words, “The great” or “large in number, intensity and magnitude” “day” which means “time, year or period” “of the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah” the “existing One” and “the proper name of the one true God” “is near” or “allied, approaching, at hand, nigh, short and more ready”. Zephaniah repeated the word “qarowb” in Hebrew for emphasis as he proclaimed again “it is near”, and went on to share how quickly it would arrive as he wrote “and hastes greatly” or “hurries, speeds and is swift exceedingly much” “even the voice” which means “sound, noise and lightness” “of the day of the LORD” or “the time period of Jehovah the existing One”. No doubt Zephaniah was commissioned to warn of the imminent judgment of the LORD that was to fall upon them.

The verse goes on to say, “the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.” Zephaniah continued by sharing the result of “the great day of the LORD” being “near” as he wrote, “the mighty man” which refers to “a strong, valiant and brave man” “shall cry” or “roar, make a shrill or clear sound, whoop and cry out” “there bitterly” which means “in anger, as chafed with discontented and great heaviness”. We can almost imagine even the bravest of men expressing their grief and anguish when the destruction of people, places and things which were once important and vital to Judah and it's people were destined to be completely demolished at the judgment of the LORD.

When we meditate upon Zephaniah's words, it may help us to picture ourselves as being the people of Judah. How would we react if people we knew, houses we occupied, workplaces we enjoyed and sites we visited were suddenly destroyed? Let us remember that the “judgment” of God had not fallen upon them at this point. This was the prophesy stating that such things would be. “The great day of the LORD” was “near” them, and they did not know it. Their lives went on as normal, and they even believed that the LORD was aloof, uncaring and not even concerned about they way they lived. Jesus warned of His imminent return and the subsequent destruction which would follow, and though He spoke of these things nearly two thousand years ago, the promise is still true. At any moment, life on earth could change dramatically, and should Jesus return for His church as He promised, our question should be, “will we be ready for Him when He comes”? “The great day of the LORD is near”, and may all who read these words take note and prepare.

Next time Zephaniah shares how“the great day of the LORD” will be one of “wrath, trouble and distress”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Goods, Houses and Vineyards Zephaniah 1:13

Because of their abandonment of the LORD and His ways, the prophet Zephaniah was given the task of sharing the LORD's judgment upon the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Neither royalty nor their children, merchant people or servants would be exempt from the punishment from the LORD. The LORD said He “will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil”. In chapter one and verse thirteen, the LORD went on to share through Zephaniah how “their goods”, “their houses” and “their vineyards” would be affected as well where we read:

Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

The verse begins, “Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation:” Zephaniah began with the words “Therefore their goods” which was their “strength, might, efficiency, wealth and army” “shall become a booty” which is all one Hebrew word “mĕchiccah” and means “spoil or plunder”, “and their houses” which were their “dwelling places, habitations, shelter and abode” “a desolation” or “devastation and waste”. When judgment falls upon the people of Judah, all their possessions and personal dependencies including their own homes were to be the spoil of the enemy and destroyed.

The verse continues, “they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them;” Zephaniah went on to say, “they shall build houses” or “establish, cause to continue their houses” “but not inhabit them” which means “dwell in, remain, sit or abide in them”. In other words, people will have constructed their homes believing they would occupy them, but will not be able to live in them.

Finally the verse says, “and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.” In addition to their “goods” and their “houses”, Zephaniah wrote, “and they shall plant” or “fasten, fix and establish” “vineyards” which were “fields set with plants of nobler quality which were cultivated as a garden or orchard” “but not drink” or “imbibe” “the wine thereof” which literally means “effervesce and referred to fermented grape drink”. We can imagine those who tilled, planted, cultivated, weeded and watered their “vineyards”, and when judgment was to fall, they would never partake of their efforts and labors.

When we think about Zephaniah's words, we can picture in our minds how horrible it would be to have all our goods, houses and fields overtaken by someone else. What would it be like to be conquered in such a horrible manner? Judah and Jerusalem faced these consequences because they abandoned the LORD God and His ways, and if they had only turned to Him, these things would not have occurred. But they did not listen, and judgment fell. What about our own lives and the lives in our country? Should we not take the time to think about what would happen if the LORD should bring His punishment upon us? As we allow the LORD Jesus to search our hearts and minds, let us imagine others whom we do not know occupying our goods, our houses and our places of importance, and determine whether we have need of repentance before it's too late.

Next time Zephaniah shares about the nearness of “the great day of the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.