As Zephaniah
declared the LORD's restoration of a “remnant” in Judah,
he told how the “mighty” LORD would be “in the midst”
of them. His promise was to “save”, “rejoice over”
them “with joy”, and that he would “rest in his love”
and “joy over” them “with singing”. In chapter
three and verse eighteen of his prophesy, Zephaniah shared how the
LORD will “gather them that are sorrowful” where we read:
I will
gather them that are
sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who
are of you,
The
verse begins, “I will gather them
that are sorrowful for the solemn
assembly,...”
Zephaniah began with the phrase, “I
will gather”
which means “receive, remove and collect” “them
that are sorrowful” which
is one Hebrew word “yagah” and means “afflicted, grieved,
suffering and those caused to grieve” “for
the solemn assembly”
or “the appointed place, time or meeting”. The people who were
exiled to Babylon were not able to participate in the “solemn”
feasts and celebrations which were part of their culture, and at this
point the LORD promised to “gather
them” who
were grieved over their lack in participating.
The
verse goes on to say, “...who
are of you, to whom
the reproach of it was
a burden.”
Zephaniah continued, “who are of you
to whom the reproach”
which is all one Hebrew word, “cherpah” and means “reproach,
scorn or taunt which rests upon a condition of shame or disgrace”
“of it was a burden”
or “uprising, utterance, portion, uplifting, signal, rising or
oracle”. The people of Judah's inability to engage in the feasts
and “solemn assemblies”
was shameful and as a great “burden”
upon the people, however he LORD's promise was to gather them
together that they might be involved in these “solemn”
“assemblies” once again.
As
we think through Zephaniah's words, perhaps we have experienced the
loss and grief of some activity or object that was enjoyable to us.
The people of Judah lost part of their existence when they suffered
by exile, but the LORD's promise was to “gather them”
that they might participate in their activities once again. When we
suffer loss, we must remember the LORD Jesus is keeping all this in
His mind. He knows. He cares, and He is ready to restore with
exuberance and joy that which has been taken away. Just as He brought
restoration to this “remnant” of
Judah, He will bring restoration to us as well. Our part is to
continue to trust in Him even while the evidence of His “gathering”
is not seen. May the LORD Jesus help us in our time of testing.
Next
time Zephaniah tells the people how the LORD will “undo
all that afflict” 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
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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