#89 “Great Intercessors of the Bible”

(Zephaniah – Concealed by the Lord)

“Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who has upheld His justice.

Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be

hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger."

(Zephaniah 2:3)

New King James Version (NKJV)

I love the fact that the name ‘Zephaniah’ means (concealed or hidden by the Lord), which becomes a very key fact in the prophecies of Zephaniah. In our opening scripture passage we see, “Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who has upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” Here we have a promise from the Lord to those who upheld the justice of the Lord and sought righteousness and humility for they may be hidden or concealed in the time of trouble by the Lord.

Although the judgment of the children of Israel was going to be bad God still was showing His hand of mercy. The sad thing about all of this was that the people were putting their trust in everything, except the Lord. In chp.1:14-18 The Lord was letting them know that nothing they had made would be a defence against his wrath.

•  No Mighty Warriors: “The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; there the mighty men shall cry out.”
•  Not even their fortified cities: “A day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities And against the high towers.”
•  Not even their silver and gold would not be able to save them, “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 will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land.”

There is a day when not even man’s strength, or towering skyscrapers or gated communities nor resources will be able to protect them from the Almighty God’s judgment. They were placing the trust in all the wrong places and things. But the Lord had already told them, “And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will He do evil.” Hasn’t this always been the case with mankind, they think that because they get away with wrong doing that they will also get by…but they want says the Lord.

Zephaniah knew that the Lord was merciful and His true heart wasn’t to destroy His people, “But, it’s not too late to turn back to God, to seek righteousness and humility.” Zephaniah tells them they are a people without shame, because they refuse to repent, they had grown callus to their evil society. That reminds me our society today how we continually refuse to acknowledge our sins; instead we try and justify them. When we repeatedly sin we will become callus and no longer feel guilty or remorseful; the more we sin the easier it becomes too sin.

Zephaniah told the people that they would not listen to the words of the prophets and leaders who continually pleaded with them to repent. “Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city! She has not obeyed His voice, she has not received correction; she has not trusted in the LORD, she has not drawn near to her God.” The prophet Zephanian wanted to remind the people that all God wanted was for them to seek Him, to fellowship with Him, “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth,Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’s anger.” Just seek the Lord, that’s all He wants of you… but they would hear. This verse basically is the sum total of what God wants from any of us, to love the Lord and Seek Him and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Another interesting point I would like to stress is that God wasn’t just judging the children of Israel but even in their rebellious and backslidden state He was also judging the nations who were mistreating His people. What an amazing God we serve, that even when we are not doing what we should; He will still not allow anyone to mistreat or persecute us. “I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border. Therefore as I live, says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them. This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.”

Zephaniah starts his last chapter with the word, “Wait” admonishing the people to put their trust in the Lord. He concludes this chapter with a promise that God is faithful and will bless His people. He will save Himself a remnant and return them to the Holy Mountain (Jerusalem); there will be peace in Jerusalem, justice and no more shame. “In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds in which you transgress against Me; for then I will take away from your midst those who rejoice in your pride, and you shall no longer be haughty in My holy mountain. At that time I will bring you back, even at the time I gather you; for I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your captives before your eyes,” Says the LORD.” Yes there will once again be rejoicing in the Holy City Jerusalem. Says the Lord…what great Love the Father has for His people!!!

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for letting us know that you loving kindness is always there for us, and that You always look out for your people even when we do wrong, Your loving arm of protection is still out stretched towards us. Father, bring us as a nation back to You. Turn us from our sin and bring us to repentance. Father always keep your promise to preserve a remnant for Your sake, in every nation. Thank you Father we pray in Jesus’ name Amen!!!
Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace!

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