August 11, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Zephaniah? Here’s today’s reading:
Zephaniah 2 (NIV)
Judah and Jerusalem Judged Along With the Nations
Judah Summoned to Repent
1 Gather together, gather yourselves together,
you shameful nation,
2 before the decree takes effect
and that day passes like windblown chaff,
before the Lord’s fierce anger
comes upon you,…..Continue Reading
I think it is very clear that Zephaniah is prophesying of the end times. In chapter one there is many references about the great day etc. I gave a list in chapter one in my comments. Not only that but the world is mentioned in broad terms in many areas as having destruction. Here in chapter 2 for example in verse 3 [ Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which wrought his judgement; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord`s anger. ] This verse and many others in this chapter and the first chapter it is about the earth. Not just a limited area. Nations are referred to and coastlands. Verse 11 [ The Lord will be terrible unto them; for He will famish all the gods of the earth. ] Statements like these. ALL THE gods of the earth. Then in verses 2 and 3 it mentions the day of the Lord. The day of the Lord in scriptures is reference to the end times. Of course the people during that time may have thought that it was going to happen in their lifetime. It was interesting to note when I looked up history to find that King Josiah started a reformation during this time. Some were actually turning to God. Kind of like now in our time. We should be ready for Christ`s return for He could come at any time. The Gospel needs to be preached to all nations and tribes and then He will return. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
I do believe that Chapter 2 here is a near future prophesy for the nations surrounding Judah. We have seen in other prophets the tendency for them to prophesy against the nations, both the long time enemies of Israel as well as distant family members (Moab and the Ammonites who are mentioned here). They all will be judged for their treatment of Israel even when Assyria was used as a tool of judgement on the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They will also be made desolate because of their own idol worship and disregard of the God of the Jews and will become a place of residence for God’s people. There is no success, power or prosperity outside of the will of God and all nations will answer to God for the things they have done and believed.
Zephaniah 2
Repent and be ready. Despite how awful end times seem and these times of destruction for the nations that had turned away from God and persecuted His people, there is protection and redemption for His people. We must stand firm with God, we must live lives pleasing to God, and we must know His voice to find that safety in these times. He always gives warnings and chances to repent before all of these prophecies of coming judgement.
Z e p h 2: looking at Ninevah, verses 13 to 15. I know of Jonah, and the grace of God on Ninevah, then of Nahum, some time later.
Ninevah was proud, exalted itself, and was laid desolate in history past. Never a good move for a people to openly boast against God. -gy