Punishment in the Day of the LORD'S Sacrifice Zephaniah 1:8

As Zephaniah continued to share the prophesy of the LORD's judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, he declared “the day of the LORD” and how the LORD “prepared a sacrifice” and had “bidden” His guest. In chapter one and verse eight of Zephaniah's prophecy, the LORD went on to tell of how He would “punish the princes”, “the king's children” and those “clothed with strange apparel” where we read:

And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

The verse begins, “And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice,...” Zephaniah began, “And it shall come to pass in the day” which is all one Hebrew word “yowm” and means “day, time, year or period” “of the LORD's” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah” who is “the existing One” and “the proper name of the one true God” “sacrifice” or “offering of righteousness, strife, covenant or passover”. Zephaniah reference the timing of the judgment of God as he prepared to share upon whom it would fall.

The verse goes on to say, “that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.” Zephaniah went on to say, “that I will punish” or “attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, appoint, look after and care for” “the princes” who were “rulers, leaders, chiefs, officials, captains, leaders, vassals, noble commanders and heads” “and the king's children” who were “sons and grandsons” “and all such as are clothed” which is one Hebrew word “labash”which means “to dress, array, wear or put on clothes” “with strange” or “foreign, alien, unknown or unfamiliar” “apparel” which means “clothing, vestments, raiment or attire”. The LORD specifically mentioned those who sat in royalty during the time of His judgment.

As we think through these words from Zephaniah, we see the LORD's complete “sacrifice” and punishment upon these people. Not even royalty was exempt from His judgment, and though they enjoyed power, fame and royal provision, they were subject to punishment from God. Many times people think their power or position gives them special favor before the LORD God, and in this case neither position, place, relation or attire would keep them from penalty. We must not be deceived to think that elevation in society nor social strata will exempt us from God's judgment, nor should we think it will keep us from the grace that is exhibited in His Son Jesus Christ. The truth is “all” people need a relationship with Jesus, and neither “princes”, “king's children” nor “all such as are clothed with strange apparel” will be excluded from His “sacrifice” should they reject the “gospel” or “good news” that is offered through Him. May all who read these words take heed to their warning.

Next time Zephaniah shares how the LORD will deal with rebellious servants, 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.