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…

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