LESSON 1, AN OVERVIEW OF ZEPHANIAH CHAPTER ONE:

Today we begin a new series of lessons. Starting a little "journey" through the Old Testament Book of Zephaniah. It contains only three chapters, total. I counted just 53 verses. Yet it is the Word of God!

It "fits" into the section of the Old Testament that's sometimes called "the Book of the Twelve." Meaning the last dozen Books before Matthew. The "Minor Prophets," by a better known name.

For the first three days of what will be at least a month long study ... I'd like to "scan" Zephaniah, chapter by chapter.

Let's begin by reading the eighteen verses of his first chapter. It is tremendously interesting! His style of writing, while fully directed by the Holy Spirit's Power, is unique, lovely even.

Here it is: "The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; and them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. 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. In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills. Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off. And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof. The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. 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 shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."

First, look at the times LORD appears, God's Name Jehovah! Fifteen I count, plus once GOD, just Jehovah expressed another way! Sixteen times Almighty God is referenced in one short chapter! Zephaniah is very Theo-centric, extremely God-centered!

The Book is written during the days of "Josiah, King of Judah." This could make Zephaniah contemporary with Jeremiah. If not, just a few years before that great Prophet's Ministry.

A few "clips" from our chapter reveal the digression into sin that Judah has experienced. "Baal" worship has made significant inroads into the lives of God's people! They also "worship" strange gods, the "hosts of heaven," adoring them from their rooftops at night! They furthermore practice "syncretism,"  a blending of religions and gods and goddesses as best suited their personal fancies! Like this: "Them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear also by Malcham," a false god, an idol."

God here even notices their clothing! No longer dressing to bear witness to their unique beliefs in God, but now following the trends of the heathen around them! "Clothed with strange apparel."

Zephaniah unmistakably announces that the whole Land faces judgment.

The "Day of the Lord" is near.

Without repentance, Judah is soon to be disciplined. And it happened within a few decades! Babylonian captivity, seventy years' worth.

And God even says of this wicked people, "speedy riddance!" Zephaniah 1:18, King James Version!

Yes, Zephaniah is a bold little Preacher!

Tomorrow, the Lord willing, we will quickly notice his second chapter. It's great as well. Then soon we'll settle down and look at this Prophecy more closely.

God's Word, what a wonderful Book!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, AN OVERVIEW OF ZEPHANIAH CHAPTER TWO:

Zephaniah chapter 2 is equally interesting. Let me share it with you here. Do take the time to scan it please.

"Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity. 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, saith 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. The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen. Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword. And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness. And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand." Only fifteen verses in all! Eighteen of Obadiah's fifty-three.

A couple of facts today about this Text, then a verse by verse analysis in the days ahead, Lord willing.

Look how God address His people, the Jews. "O Nation not desired!" This is astounding, nearly unprecedented! Unconfessed sin in our lives upsets Almighty God, to the point of discipline!

Then comes a clear warning. Before God's Wrath falls, seek the Lord. Bend before his Righteousness! Hide in his Bosom! Avoid His Anger!

Then Obadiah includes a series of "threats" against a number of Gentile nations as well. Many of the Old Testament Prophets do this. So much so that some scholars call these holy tirades "Oracles Against the Nations," usually abbreviated as OAN paragraphs or chapters.

The "Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Ethiopians, Assyrians," what a list! Our great God truly oversees the whole world!

Wow!

In our day we're used to hearing Sermons about love and grace and mercy and the "sweet" Side of God! Well, He is also a God of justice and holiness and when needed, judgment!

We now live in what some teachers have termed the "Age of Grace." I am telling you that there is coming yet a "Day of Wrath" as well.

God, perfectly balanced in his Character!

In His "Essence."

In His glorious "Being."

And the "Book of the Twelve," the Old Testament's "Minor Prophets," sure do tell the whole Story.

In fact, we might better get back to preaching some of them ... in these last days of gathering storm clouds.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, AN OVERVIEW OF ZEPHANIAH CHAPTER THREE:

The more times I read Zephaniah, the "smoother" his Sermons become! He's quite a "writer," and an even more beautiful "thinker."

Today we see Zephaniah's third and final chapter. Mainly so we can again review his message, his phraseology. 

"Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." Twenty verses.

The Book's chapter sizes, Zephaniah's, are chapter one, eighteen verses. Followed by chapter two with fifteen verses. Then chapter three's twenty verses. A total of fifty-three!

Now, as far as that "ultimate" chapter, meaning the "last" one, note the following truths. (By the way, accompanying the expression "ultimate" learn that "penultimate" means "next-to-last." And "antepenultimate" means "second-to-last." All being Latin terms.)

Look what God calls Jerusalem here. A "filthy and oppressing" City! "Polluted" too! Then the Lord lists a few of Judah's general sins.

Followed by a caricature of her leaders, "Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Wow, the wages of sin!

But God is Pure! "The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not." Hallelujah for the difference! Great is HIS Faithfulness!

Then follows, as with most all the Minor Prophets, a message of judgment, wrath. Listen to God speaking to His people: "I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings." Verse 7

But by chapter's end ... true Hope has come! Through forgiveness Judah will experience a bright future! Unprecedented blessings!

Verses 14-17 give us the feel of excitement: "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Amazing!

Yes, we're going to study Zephaniah!

Chapter one, verse one ... in the morning, Lord willing.

Come join us.

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, ZEPHANIAH 1:1, HIS OPENING VERSE:

Even Zephaniah's first Verse is interesting. Really it's unique. His is the only genealogy in Scripture, of all the Bible's Prophets, that goes back four generations!

Wow!

Here's Zephaniah 1:1. "The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah."

Notice them; Cushi (Father), Gedaliah (Grandfather), Amariah (Great-Grandfather), and Hizkiah (Great-Great-Grandfather), four generations past Zephaniah.

Here's how Isaiah's vast Prophecy begins, just listing his Father's name! "The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah."

And Jeremiah? "The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin." Jeremiah 1:1, also just one generation back.

Why so far in Zephaniah's case?

The Hebrew scholars differ some on this point, but apparently the oldest progenitor of Zephaniah, the one here named as "Hizkiah," is none other than the great "Hezekiah," King of Judah. Illustrious King of Judah! His name here just being spelled slightly differently.

Again, "The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah."

If this be so, Zephaniah has royal blood in his veins!

He's part of the King's family!

The great revivalist Josiah then, current King of Judah, also would have been related to the Prophet. At least a cousin.

This fact alone may have given Zephaniah access to the royal court, perhaps anytime he chose!

He certainly is a bold Preacher.

One more thing today, "The Word of the Lord came to Zephaniah." This "formula" is used many times in the Old Testament, sixty-three times in fact. If I've counted correctly.

Here God's Word is personified! The verb translated "came" is really "havah," meaning "to come into existence." It then "happened" to Zephaniah!

A personal "encounter" with the Word of the Lord!

This is dramatic!

Zephaniah 1:1, really I think this verse alone could make the foundation for quite a Sermon!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, ZEPHANIAH 1:2-3, COMING JUDGMENT:

Numerous Old Testament Prophets do. They begin their writing by quoting God Almighty! Most often with a message of judgment, the soon coming kind! And Zephaniah is among them.

Let me show you. "I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD." Zephaniah 1:2-3, nearly his opening paragraph!

The first sentence here is astounding! God literally says, "I will utterly consume all ...!" The verb "consume," used twice in today's Text, means "to cause to cease, to bring to an end." Wow!

Here's God's Wrath, clearly enunciated.

Not just mankind, humanity! Though he is included. "I will cut off man ...." But the animals as well! The verb "cut off" is "karath" in Hebrew, meaning "to destroy!" Also "to hew to pieces!"

The "beasts," so carefully spared in the days of Jonah and Nineveh, will be destroyed this time! These include both the birds and fishes too! As well as land creatures.

Nothing less than catastrophe is being described!

But what are the "stumblingblocks of the wicked?" The noun "makshelah" means anything that causes someone "to trip." or "to be ruined." God has in Mind, I think, the "idols" Judah had begun worshipping! Such dangerous things invite degradation spiritually. And God's response!

And He is obviously watching every move Judah makes, the Lord. She after all is His "Wife!" They are His "people!"

Seldom is judgment any more strictly pronounced on anyone in Scripture. How can it be any more devastating? "I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD."

And truly, in this case, it began at the House of God, just as Peter observed years later. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" First Peter 4:17

Wow!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

We are today a long way from John 3:16. But this Message is typical for the Prophets. And it's the "forgotten" Message in the days in which we live. God literally "hates" sin!

LESSON 6, ZEPHANIAH 1:4-6, A LIST OF JUDAH'S SINS:

Today we learn the "charges" God has against Judah. The little Nation's "sins," at least the major categories of them, will be listed. These sins have consequences, too ... years of national disintegration!

God is speaking, through His Prophet's pen, "I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; and them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him." Zephaniah 1:4-6

Wow!

"Baal" is the name of a false god, a heathen idol. Its name means "lord," of all things! And worshipping him involved all kinds of lewd debauchery.

The "Chemarims" were ungodly priests accompanying the false religions. The word derives from a Hebrew term meaning "to kindle" a fire, obviously for sacrifice.

The expression "host of heaven" involves star worship, astral fortunetelling, maybe even demonology.

Then the Lord mentions people who both "serve" Him ... and also "worship" Malcham, probably "Molech," another false god. This is called "syncretism" today, a religion made to suit one's personal "felt" needs! One's own "blend" of religious persuasions, regardless of the Word of God!

There's more. God too is "upset" with the Jews who have "turned back" from Him. "Sug," a simple verb, means "to backslide, to spurn." Repelling Almighty God!

Others as well have ceased "seeking" the Lord, no longer "enquiring" after Him. Two parallel verbs now, "baqash" ("begging" after someone, that strong an emotion) and "darash" ("to consult," to pray to an entity). These verbs intensify in the order given here.

How sad!

Almost a "vice list" of grievances God holds against His people Judah. And I might add, one that needs to be preached yet today!

"I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; and them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him."

I can already tell that Zephaniah is quite a Preacher.

More tomorrow, the Lord willing. In the meantime, let's examine our own lives for any signs of these issues. Remember, we are to abstain from the very "appearance" of evil.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, ZEPHANIAH 1:7-9, STRANGE APPAREL:

Zephaniah 1:7-9, our Text today. "Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. 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. In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit."

This is a Sermon, folks!

It should have instilled the "fear of the Lord" into the hearts of the people. However, they ignored it!

The Lord is coming, in judgment! His "Presence" is specifically mentioned here. The Hebrew word signifying such Presence is "paniym," meaning one's very "Face."

"Hold thy peace" translates the Hebrew "hasah," that is, "keep silence, quiet your tongue!"

"The Day of the Lord," an expression found twenty-one times in Scripture most likely ultimately suggests the yet future "Tribulation" and its attending horrors. But the term can also describe previews of the great tribulation in the form of local, severe judgments on groups of backsliding or apostate people.

The "sacrifice" the Lord has prepared here means, picturesquely, a day of "slaughter." A time of immense bloodshed. Not unlike Revelation 19:17-18. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great."

The coming judgment on Judah, God's people, first falls on the leaders, the princes and king's children. Such as wear expensive, faddish, heathen "strange apparel." No longer dressing in traditional Jewish garb, with its many reminders of a holy people serving a righteous God. Like the "ribbands of blue" commanded in Numbers 15:38-40. "Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: that ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God." God upset about one's wardrobe!

The words "leaping on the thresholds" signify thieves who break into homes, not pausing at the "entrances" for any reason, roughshod, to steal and plunder and take whatever they please.

Social disorder, societal breakdown!

Moral bankruptcy!

And not only did Zephaniah promise it would happen ... it did happen, just as he prophesied!

Judah was ransacked and raped and taken captive by the Babylonians within a few years of the writing of these powerful words.

God's Word, we see everyday that it's an accurate Book, inerrant indeed!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, ZEPHANIAH 1:10-13, JUDGMENT:

Talk about a message of judgment! The Wrath of God falling upon a people! Zephaniah 1:10-13 provides a full description. God is punishing His people Judah for her many unconfessed sins! "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills. Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off. And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof."

"That day" implies the day these things happen. The Day of doom, also known as "the Day of the Lord." More about that term tomorrow.

The "attack" here is both loud and sudden! Noises, cries, howlings, crushing disasters! This is good writing! I can almost sense the panic that would have gripped the Jews, sadly so.

"Maktesh" is some geographical area, likely near Jerusalem, probably a valley or hill or some other then well known site. It is unidentifiable today.

The "rich" people lose the most! Because they had it in the first place! What a day, when "spoiled" and always "given-everything-on-a-silver-platter" people are plundered! Waking up as millionaires, going to bed a paupers! If they go to bed! Evidently most are slain! "All the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off."

Then God goes on a "search." He will chastise those who are so complacent, fearing nothing! With no reverence for the Almighty! "And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil." Sounds like Laodicea in advance!

Their immediate bright future is ... gone! "Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof." They lose everything!

National calamity, because of iniquity!

Now let's re-read the paragraph. Non-stop.  "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills. Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off. And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof."

These things literally happened to Jerusalem and Judah and their inhabitants. Just as God promised.

Repent ... or else.

By the way, that same God is still on the Throne!

And He is yet capable of judging nations!

Even the big ones, the wealthy ones!

And especially the godless ones!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, ZEPHANIAH 1:14-16, THE DAY OF THE LORD:

The well-known phrase the Prophets used again and again, "the Day of the Lord," is certainly prominent in today's Zephaniah Text. "The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers." Zephaniah 1:14-16

This gives me an opportunity to explain a principle of Bible Prophecy. Many of God's "predictions," His statements describing some future event, have "double" fulfillments.

A local and more immediate one, followed by an ultimate and more long-range one. And Zephaniah today has provided us with an excellent specimen of this phenomenon.

As Verse 14 proclaims, "the great Day of the Lord is near." This points to the "within-forty-years" invasion (invasions really, there were three) of Judah and Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon and his army. "The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly." This "day" is now history. It occurred in 606 BC and again in 597 BC and then yet later in 586 BC. (BC here still means Before Christ!)

But there is yet another, and much more fierce, "Day of the Lord" coming as well. After the Rapture of the Church. Joel the Prophet tells us about this one. "And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come." Joel 2:30-31, King James Version

This one is more drastic, and worldwide obviously. Involving the sun and moon and apparently, world-wide war!

Local, then long range ... two "Day of the Lord" epochs of time ... are depicted in Scripture.

In fact, even Jesus' Second Coming is layered thusly! Sooner rather than later will be the "Rapture," our Lord's Return "in the clouds" for His Church. Then seven years later, after the Tribulation, Jesus returns to the earth, His Feet standing on the Mount of Olives as prophesied by Zechariah the great man of God. His "double" Return!

Back to Zephaniah a second, When the Babylonians sacked and destroyed Jerusalem and her sister cities, indeed "that day was a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers."

History indeed.

But now foreshadowing prophecy!

The coming "Day of the Lord," vast and unprecedented in the annals of Bible judgment. The "time of Jacob's trouble." The "seventieth week" of Daniel's prophecies. The "great Tribulation" of which Jesus and John spoke.

The bottom line for today.

Sin, when ignored and unconfessed and enjoyed, brings the wrath of God!

Judgment!

Consequences untold!

We'll learn more tomorrow, the Lord willing.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, ZEPHANIAH 1:17-18, THE END OF CHAPTER ONE:

Today we come to the end of Zephaniah chapter one. With these descriptive verses: "And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. 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 shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land." Zephaniah 1:17-18, only two verses, God being the Speaker.

Now, having read these words, these threats, these promises, does God indeed hate sin?

Does He judge blatant, unconfessed long-standing iniquity?

Even in His Own people?

Yes, yes, yes!

The noun "distress" is a word suggesting "ever-tightening" circumstances! Constantly increasing "pressure!" Ease of living is gone! Forget about "quality" of life now!

"Blood" and "flesh," God's masterpieces of Handiwork, become rather valueless ... because of sin. "Because they have sinned against the Lord." In the Text!

And the vast wealth of these perpetually prosperous people? Not sufficient to "buy" them out of trouble! In fact, silver and gold really are part of the "allurement" Judah unknowingly dangles in front of Nebuchadnezzar and his armies!

Yes, it's the day of the Lord's "wrath" now! And "ebrah" literally means "outpouring, overflow, excess!" God can "take" no more, having had His "fill" of their rebellion!

Even their "land" shall be "devoured," by God's permission too. And "akal" means "to be gobbled down, to be eaten, to be consumed." In Malachi 3:11 God says He can "rebuke" those "devourers," stopping them still! Here He allows devastation to rape Israel, Judah.

"And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. 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 shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."

Why?

God's Jealousy" has been aroused!

He forbids Judah having any other "gods," any other "lovers," any other spiritual "interests." Still Jehovah's, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me" holds true.

Then notice how the Text ends, "a speedy riddance." Literally a "hurried termination" of this little Nation. Seventy years of "captivity!" In a "strange land."

The "wages" of sin.

Wow!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

And the nations of the world today, in 2014, clearly have all these "warnings" ... yet ignore them wholesale!

LESSON 11, ZEPHANIAH 2:1, REPENT OR ELSE:

Zephaniah 2:1 is today's verse. In our spiritual "journey" through that little Prophecy. After a chapter of judgment and threats, eighteen verses of such, the Book now issues a "call to repentance" to the wayward people of Judah.

"Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired." And even this, an "invitation" to return to God, is veiled with a certain tone of "impending trouble."

The first verb, an imperative of course, is "qashash" in Hebrew. It's rare in the entire Old Testament, found only eight times by my count. The Latin verb would be the equivalent of "convene." The Greek is "synagogue," a gathering place! "Gather yourselves together."

But get this about "qashash," the word is associated with the noun "stubble." In every lexicon I have! In fact, "qash" is the word for stubble! It is as if God is giving a "final" warning! Repent, Judah ... or you will be raked up like chaff, like useless husks, and face the fiery Wrath of God!

In Hebrew the second "gather together" is identical in nearly every way. Except for the stem which is Qal (simple active voice) here instead of the Hithpoel (reflexive) in the first instance. Both times it is a stark command! But in Latin this time it's "congregate!" And the Septuagint, the Greek rendering of this Hebrew verse, is "sundeo," to be "tied together or bound together!" Like some shock of useless, dried wheat stalks, ready to be burned!

Yes, it's a sincere invitation of God for Judah to "come home." But it is clearly a not-so-hidden "threat" as well! "Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired."

Oh, let's not forget that last phrase, "O nation not desired." God even questions if He still "longs" for Judah, she is so sin-tainted now! "Lo kaseph" is the Hebrew "not desired." No longer "yearned for" as a people! Their tons of wickedness, loads of sin, have made God "sick!" Once in the King James Bible "kaseph" is translated "sore!" God has been "injured" by Judah's careless, rebellious lifestyle!

"Judah, turn back to God."

If not ... your "time" is soon going to be over!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Tomorrow, the Lord willing, God tells this Nation "how" to repent! Really those instructions occur in verse three. Today's Lesson reminds me of Proverbs 29:1. "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Serious indeed!

LESSON 12, ZEPHANIAH 2:2-3, A CLEAR CALL TO REPENTANCE:

Zephaniah, early in his "middle" chapter, issues a lovely "call to repentance," directed at the people of Judah.

"Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger." Zephaniah 2:2-3

In other words, before God judges, before His Determined Wrath falls ... "seek" the Lord, trusting Him for forgiveness of sins.

God's predicted Judgment will "come forth," will in Hebrew "yalad," will "be birthed" into existence. There's no stopping it. Judah has become that apostate!

Yet there's hope for a remnant, those who crave the Lord God Almighty and are willing to walk in His Ways.

The actual verb for "seeking" the Lord is "baqash," translated once in the King James Bible as "beg, begging!" That intense! Literally begging God to extend Mercy, not Judgment! Then forsake your sins and live!

But who will still "hear" such preaching?

Not the proud man.

Not the vain person either.

Only the "meek!"

And "anav," the "meek," simply suggests those who are "humble, lowly, and poor in spirit."

Individuals who have "wrought," an old verb meaning "practiced," God's Ways, God's Will, God's Commandments. Heeded God's Warnings or Judgments, really. Lived right!

This crowd, the meek, have "hungered" after God's Righteousness!

I hear overtones of the "Beatitudes" here, don't you? Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven! Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after Righteousness, for they shall be filled!

But even these good people, real followers of our God, will not "avert" the soon coming judgment. It's on the way! But they may "protect" themselves from its ravages! As Zephaniah preaches, "It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger."

To be hidden? The verb "sathar" means "concealed, put in a secret place!" Made "absent" from the turmoil!

I think this particular promise to the godly is quite similar to the one made in Revelation 3:10 to another group of faithful believers: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

Amen!

One more incentive to live for God!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, ZEPHANIAH 2:4-15, THE PROPHET'S OAN MATERIAL:

Several of the Old Testament Prophets have them. A "list" of Nations soon to face the Wrath of Almighty God! This type literature is so common Biblically that it's now called OAN, meaning "Oracles Against the Nations."

Isaiah and Jeremiah excel in this type preaching. Jeremiah chapters 46 through 51 include such. As does Isaiah chapters 13 through 23. And for that matter, Ezekiel 25-32. But they all are Major Prophets!

Among the shorter Books of the Old Testament, the Minor Prophets, Amos (chapters 1 and 2) and Zephaniah (our current Text) contain OAN material as well. I would include Nahum and Obadiah, but they focus on one nation only, Assyria and Edom respectively.

Yes, Zephaniah 2:4-15 predicts certain coming judgment on four or five different Countries! These being Philistia, Moab and Ammon, Ethiopia, and finally Assyria, the giant!

Why this layout?

Why this information?

Because God is the Lord of the whole earth! He will not only correct His Own people, but everyone!

Because God's Wrath falling on the Gentile Nations just may encourage the lowly Jews at a critical time in their history! Their enemies will fall some day, thus saith the Lord!

Because such precise prophecy, now history ... having been completely fulfilled, authenticates the Word of God, its accuracy and inerrancy!

Today let's at least read Zephaniah's first Oracle, the Sermon against Philistia. I'll comment more on it tomorrow, the Lord willing. "For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity." Zephaniah 2:4-7

Reminds me of a verse in Proverbs 14, which I read earlier today as this is being written on the 14th day of May, 2014. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

Amen!

Wonder if this includes your Country?

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, ZEPHANIAH 2:4-7, AGAINST THE PHILISTINES:

Yesterday I promised a Lesson about the Philistines, about Zephaniah's Sermon of Judgment against those people and their land. Here are the Prophet's exact words, as dictated by God the holy Spirit: "For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity." Zephaniah 2:4-7

Notice first that God has denunciated all the major cities of that whole Nation! Gaza and Ashkelon and Ashdod and Ekron, all will be sacked. Only Gath is omitted, perhaps because it already had fallen from prominence. This is nation-wide catastrophe!

Yes, God can bring a whole Nation down, in no time! The Sodom-Gomorrah Metroplex comes to mind.

Notice the verbs employed in this war against Philistia, likely executed by Nebuchadnezzar and his armies. "Forsaken, made a desolation, driven out, rooted up, destroyed, left with no inhabitant," quite a list!

If God "protects" a land, it indeed is safe! If God "declares judgment" against a people ... havoc is on the way! An enemy army, doing the work of God! Truly Proverbs 21:1 is here illustrated. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

But let's look further.

What's the result of Philistia being defeated? What about all that now "empty" land? God is going to "bless" Israel! Our Text again, "And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity."

Now we're looking far into the future!

Maybe even into the Millennium!

Israel ... at rest, living in peace.

Her originally promised borders now enforced, a positive reality. "In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates." Genesis 15:18

This little paragraph describing God's Wrath against Philistia may have really been written, not only to warn the heathen, but to uplift and warmly encourage the downtrodden little Nation of Israel, of Judah really.

What a God we serve!

Always Right!

Always Unique.

In fact, Isaiah 45:6 records Him saying: "That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else."

Amen!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, ZEPHANIAH 2:8-11, THE MOABITES AND AMMONITES:

Zephaniah is delivering a litany of judgment Messages, directed at the Gentile Nations surrounding Judah. And one paragraph focuses on two little "relative" groups, descendants of Abraham's Nephew Lot, who have indeed sinned prodigiously.

"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, saith 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. The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen." Zephaniah 2:8-11

These two groups, Moab and Ammon, have hated Israel for generations. And since only the people of Judah remain in the land, all the other Jews having been abducted by the Assyrians in 721 BC, the people of Jerusalem and surrounding areas have become "targets" to the Moabites and Ammonites.

God here calls Abraham's descendants, the Jews, "My people!" Judah's land, her property, has been attacked! "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."

The terms "reproach" and "revilings" both represent verbal abuse, hurled at the Jews. Pride and vocabulary, two areas of sin God has noticed and plans to judge!

Not watch God use a "word picture." This is interesting. "Therefore as I live, saith 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." Wow, like Sodom and Gomorrah!

I read a little while ago, "Sin always has a 'therefore!'" Apparently so, the "wages" of sin are sure!

Here's an inspired description of the judgment these wicked rebels will face, have already partially faced now, "The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen."

God at war against the "gods" of earth, all the "idols!"

With the result that, looking now into the future when Jesus comes again to earth,  "And men shall worship Him, the Lord, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen."

Judgment for some, revival for others!

Like Paul exclaimed in Romans 11:22, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God."

What a great God we serve.

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, ZEPHANIAH 2:12, THE ETHIOPIANS:

Only one Verse today, that being the entire scope of Zephaniah's Message to the nation of Ethiopia. Here it is: "Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword." Zephaniah 2:12

That's a quick a death sentence as I've ever heard!

But the previous paragraph clearly concerns Moab and Ammon, verses 8-11. And immediately after our verse Zephaniah discusses the fall of Assyria, verses 13-15.

But now, Ethiopia, one single thought!

Let's study a word or two for sure. "Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword."

The noun for "Ethiopia" is "kushiy." In the Biblical world of the Minor Prophets that geographical area was at times even called "Cush."

In fact, some historians say that the Cushites actually ruled Ethiopia and Egypt during those days.

Watch what Zephaniah has done, during his sermons against these heathen nations. He began in the east, went to the west, now southward! Next, with Assyria, he preaches northward! All the points of the compass!

World-wide judgment!

This not only deals with what are now past events, national and political upheaval safely recorded in the history books. But future events as well, after the Rapture of the Church I think. During the tribulation.

True, the Prophet here has talked about several small, rather inconsequential nations, on the grand scale of things.

Until now, at least.

But things have changed. Africa, meaning Egypt/Ethiopia/Cush, is a powerful mover in that world. King Josiah will die in a battle with these people. Jeremiah will be kidnapped, against his will, and taken there. In the midst of continuing Judean apostasy too.

But Ethiopia will be judged. Thus, Egypt too! This giant Mega-Unit will fall too, as did Goliath!

Next in line comes the growing world power, the mightiest of all so far, Assyria! But she too will "crumble" because of her sins. God surely is no Respecter of people, or of nations!

A little Book, Zephaniah, but a big message!

One main thing this week's texts have shown is that God is in control! He is the Ruler of the whole world!

To that we can all say "Amen!"

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh, did you know God owns a sword? "Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword." He just said so! He has indeed used it in the past, and plans to do so again. Abraham's question back in Genesis 18:25 still has the same answer. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Yes, He will!

The Psalmist is right, of course. "Thy judgments are a great deep, O Lord." Sometimes hard to understand. Ultimately too, here's another reason for the judgments of God. "Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Thy judgments." Psalm 48:11, Wow! Judgments ... to encourage the people of God!

LESSON 16, ZEPHANIAH 2:13-15, THE ASSYRIANS:

Zephaniah, certainly a little Old Testament Book, often categorized as a Minor Prophet, focuses his attention on the greatest "super-power" in existence, at least in his day. I mean the Assyrians!

His paragraph is the last section of another "OAN" in Scripture, part of the "Oracles Against the Nations." Judgments Almighty God plans to send on wicked gentile entities!

Read it with me. "And he (the Lord) will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness. And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand." Zephaniah 2:13-15

The expression "to stretch our one's hand" occurs often in the Prophets. When used of God, He is really going to work! Usually as a divine Warrior! Rolling up His sleeves, making "bare" his Mighty Arm, getting totally involved!

The "north," since Zephaniah has already preached against nations in the west and east and south, is all that remains! While Assyria is technically northeast of Israel, to march against this little Land she would have had to attack from the north, as far as the compass is concerned anyway.

And Assyria did decimate the Nation of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, in 721 BC. Now she threatens the south as well. She was a danger to all nations for nearly a hundred years, violent and aggressive and murderous in heart. Truly, "an evil empire."

But God is bringing retribution! By means of the tough Babylonians, history now tells us.

Nineveh is Assyria's Capital City! And this well-known place, prodigiously watered by the Tigris River, will become bone "dry," God says. Like the "wilderness," like the desert!

The once thriving metropolis, again exceedingly sinful, will become the "habitation" of numerous animals! "And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows." The city, archaeologists say, was once adorned with many pieces of art, dozens depicting animal life, many of which were worshipped!

See, God has prevailed, the only True and Living God!

What was Assyrian's "major" sin? The top one of thousands, no doubt. PRIDE! Read it again, "This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me." She claims superiority in every area of life!

"I am," what words!

Words first claimed by Jehovah God in Exodus 3:13. "I AM THAT I AM," a direct Quote!

Listen to Him, our dear Saviour, again in Isaiah 45:5. "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me." Amen!

Assyria brags, "I am." But today she is  no more!

God has brought her down!

Psalm 9:17 was, and is, still true. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

Including the giant countries as well!

The word "desolation," here used of the Nation's ultimate end, means "waste." In the sense of "wonder, amazement, appalment!" Folks can't get over the destruction!

"The mighty have fallen!"

And her many enemies, her vanquished foes, those Assyria has persecuted for generations? "Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand." Mocking, laughing, rejoicing!

And with Assyria's power now broken, Judah surely must have felt a little more secure in her dangerous world!

And her Faith, undoubtedly grew some as well!

A God Who can foretell the future, accurately!

The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob no less!

Like Daniel promised: "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days." Daniel 2:28

Yes!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 17, ZEPHANIAH 3:1-2, NOW TO JERUSALEM:

Zephaniah chapter three begins a new "subject." Well, really it returns to the theme of chapter one. God's concern for Judah, for her main city Jerusalem, and for his people there.

Though initially unnamed, the Jews are God's "target" now. Because of their perpetual sins! "Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God." Zephaniah 3:1-2

The identity is confirmed, beyond doubt, as the chapter continues to unfold. The Prophet has now, in chapter two, pronounced judgment on all the surrounding gentile nations ... yet he will not "spare" his home country! She has sinned egregiously too!

God calls her "filthy!" Here's a rare word indeed. "Mara" means "filthy" once in the Bible, our Text here. And in it's only other use, Job 39:18, it is descriptive of an ostrich who "lifts herself up" (in pride) above all the other animals! Including the majestic war horse! "Filthy" in "pride, self-glory, arrogance!"

Jerusalem is also "polluted," God says. With "gaal" meaning "stained." Or "defiled" three times in Scripture. Zephaniah is using some seldom-found words for sure! A selective vocabulary.

She's also an "oppressing" city, meaning "violently treating" people. No longer caring about humanity, such as the poor or the widows or even the orphans. Anything but kind!

But verse two tells us her story from God's perspective. "She (Jerusalem) obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God."

She refused Almighty God!

She would not "hear" or "obey" God's call, "shama" being the verb.

She would not "accept" God's warning and correction! Proverbs 29:1 teaches: "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

She will not "trust" in the Lord, "batach" meaning "so confident in God that you lose all fear or worry." Completely resting in the God Who saved you! Judah said "no!"

Then she "drew not near" to her Lord! "Qarab" simply means "to approach." The Jews neglected to do what James 4:8 suggests: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."

Rebels against the God Who created them!

No wonder judgment is coming!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Do you ever get the idea that God supremely "loves" obedience? Like Samuel said to Saul one day: "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice." That's the heart of God! He wants our love, expressing itself in total reliance and submission!

LESSON 18, ZEPHANIAH 3:3-4, THE LEADERS:

Zephaniah chapter three is sharp, incisive. Revealing the sins of a nation, of the little Land of Judah. The Prophet's first two verses focused on the people collectively. The whole city, basically everyone.

But verses 3 and 4 narrow the blame. It's their "leaders" who have pointed them astray! "Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law." Zephaniah 3:3-4

The "princes" roughly correspond to our present day "politicians." Her "judges" represent the judiciary, her court system. The "prophets" are the "religious" men, her "preachers." And the "priests" are in charge of the Temple, they handle the avenues of "worship" the little Nation pursues.

And in every area of life, so-called secular as well as sacred, there is failure, moral degeneracy, and neglect of Almighty God.

The "politicians" are greedy! Like "roaring lions," seeking their prey. Exercising too much autocratic power, too. Abusing God's people! In it "for themselves!"

Even her "judges" are on the "take." Money rules the courts! The "rich" can too often "buy" legal favors! "Respect of persons" prevails!

And her "prophets," her preachers, are "light" and "treacherous." For "light" the Text means "reckless," not serious minded! One definition is "frothy!" And for "treacherous," likely "unfaithful, deceitful," even "offensive."

The "priests" too are indicted. They "defile" holy things, to "profane," no reverence being shown at all. This verb is written in the Hebrew "piel" stem, meaning that the action described is intensive, emotional, whole-hearted. And they "do violence" to the Law, to God's Word! "Hamas" is the word, not teaching the Scripture but "tearing it to pieces!"

Yes, sin has destroyed Judah, from the bottom to the top. Or should I say from the top down?

And God is soon to judge His people.

I wonder how the nations of the modern world, America included, rate in our areas of leadership. Are we facing God's Wrath too?

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 19, ZEPHANIAH 3:5-7, JUDAH TOO:

Zephaniah has now preached to the world, literally! Nation after nation, large and small. He faithfully proclaimed the Word of God!

But then the Lord led His man to preach ... against his own people! Against the Nation of Judah!

This is amazing!

Indeed, God is no Respecter of persons!

Watch, Zephaniah 3:5-7. "The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings."

Here the Lord is "in the midst!" And "qereb" in Hebrew means exactly "in the middle!" Deep "within" a city or state, in this context anyway. And He is a "just" Lord, meaning "righteous," doing nothing wrong! In the midst of whom? Jerusalem! The Land of Judah!

Furthermore, God is incapable of sin! "He will do no iniquity." By the way, Jesus the Son of God ... never sinned either! He lived all those years on earth ... "without sin." So says Hebrews 4:15.

God also never "fails!" The word additionally means that God never "lacks" anything! He is all-sufficient! "Eternally Self-existent," the theologians say.

All put together, Zephaniah has given us an impressive list of God's character, His Essence!  "The just LORD is in the midst thereof; He will not do iniquity: every morning doth He bring His judgment to light, He faileth not."

But now a synopsis of the wicked, and God's recent actions toward them. "The unjust knoweth no shame. I (the Lord) have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant." Zephaniah chapter 2 fully records God's actions as summarized here, even naming those nations!

Know that the noun "nations" specifically implies "gentiles." God was of the Opinion that if He so judged the "heathen," the Israelites, the Jews, would "pay attention" and repent of their sins.

Did that happen?

Listen to our great God again. "I said, Surely thou (Judah) wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction."

How did Judah respond? Sadly ... "They rose early, and corrupted all their doings." Just like the wicked nations around them!

They sinned wholeheartedly, eagerly, even waking up "early in the morning" to get started!

They "corrupted" all their activities. The verb used here means "spoiled, wasted, allowed to decay!"

The summary of today's lesson: God hates sin! And will judge it in the lives of His creation. All peoples included, no exceptions!

Even the nation He loves to call "the apple of Mine Eye!" Even the seed of Abraham!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 20, ZEPHANIAH 3:8, ARMAGEDDON:

The Verse is threatening. Sounds like World War III or something. Of course it might be World War IV or V, as far as anyone can tell for sure! Nonetheless, global chaos is on the horizon! So says Almighty God.

Today's Verse, Zephaniah 3:8. "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy."

The Lord is speaking, though obliquely, to the Nation of Judah. "Wait YE (plural) on ME (Divine and singular)!

God is going to go to war! He plans to rise up to the "prey." The Almighty plans to "attack" the blatantly wicked nations of earth!

He will do this by first "assembling" them into one place. "To gather" literally means "to harvest." I believe this is a reference to Armageddon. The parallel verb, "to assemble," picturesquely means "to rake into a pile!"

"To pour" out Wrath, God's clear goal here, translates "shaphak," meaning "to spill, to gush out, to shed, to cast forth." Copiously, lots of it!

"Indignation" is "zaam," related to the ideas of "abomination, abhorrence, defiance!" And "fierce" anger is literally "burning" anger.

Furthermore, the verb "devoured" is "akal," the normal word for "eating, feeding" upon a meal! Gobbling something down!

And God's "jealousy," is "qinah," which is the normal word for "zeal, envy, ardor." These peoples have long worshipped many gods and goddesses, untold numbers, and our Heavenly Father is jealous! He, our Creator, is possessive, and rightly so.

Listen to how John in Revelation chapter 16 describes want I think is this same event. "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

Being prepared for Armageddon!

Zechariah adds this, God is the Speaker: "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives ...."

The Bible is a Unit! It all seems to beautifully tie together, telling one grand Mega-story!  And its Subject? Jesus Christ, the darling Son of God!

Amen!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Seems like God is using today's Verse, dark as it is, to "encourage" Judah, His people! As much as the Jews have suffered, God is going to some day vindicate her pain! And take revenge on her enemies!

LESSON 21, ZEPHANIAH 3:9, SALVATION:

So far Zephaniah's third and final chapter has been one of "judgment," dark and bleak and yet definite. But with the onset of verse nine, hope breaks into the narrative!

God promises: "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent." Again, Zephaniah 3:9

God has "people," though perhaps a relatively small number, elsewhere called a "remnant." And our Lord will "turn" their hearts, too! This verb, "haphak," means "to overthrow, to overturn" eighteen times in the King James Bible. It's even "convert" once! God's converts!

The "pure language" suggests a cleansing of one's lips! The noun "language" here is, in fact, translated "lips" 112 times in the Bible.

What are the results of this latter-day revival, this miraculous "change?" There seem to be two in our Verse alone.

"That they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent."

They will "pray," perhaps even the sinner's prayer! Remember what Paul wrote in Romans 10:13. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Wow!

Then they will "serve" the Lord, harmoniously! "Serve" translates "abad," to work diligently, really "to slave" for his Name's Sake!

Faith and works, in the right order!

Salvation followed by Service!

Amen.

The terrible Tribulation!

Out of which comes, via God's amazing Grace, the "salvation" of numerous lost souls!

Hallelujah!

"For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent." Bright "spots" in the literature of the Old Testament Prophets!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 22, ZEPHANIAH 3:10, COMING HOME:

Today's Verse is Zephaniah 3:10. Where God says, "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering."

The Lord is "re-gathering" His people, the Jews, from the far quarters of the globe! This seems to be an event that will occur after Jesus has returned to earth, after the Tribulation and Armageddon.

Israel as a Nation, the few who are still alive, the believing "remnant" of her citizens, will love and adore the Lord as never before! The question Isaiah 66:8 poses will be answered affirmatively! "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once?" Yes, born again!

Then ... "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering."

Now the main River of Ethiopia is the famous Nile! The verb "dispersed" is "putzs" in Hebrew, usually meaning "scattered" but at times "broken to pieces!" The "wandering" Jew ... finally coming home!

The noun "suppliants" is "athar," suggesting "worshippers." Those who bring incense in plentiful, copious amounts! A Revival is underway!

And the word for "offering" is "minchah," a technical word suggesting the "meal offering" of the old Mosaic economy! No blood here, just grain! Jesus has already shed His Book, Which is all sufficient!

A short verse, but a sweet one. "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering." Coming to worship Jesus, of their own accord!

Praise the Lord.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 23, ZEPHANIAH 3:11-12, GRACE:

The last few Verses of the Book of Zephaniah are "delicious!" Judgment has yielded to Repentance in the lives of the children of Judah, of Israel. They have "acknowledged" and "believed" their Redeemer, Almighty God! In the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Today we notice Zephaniah 3:11-12. "In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD."

Humility has returned!

Pride, particularly the proud of the land who rebelled against God, has been excised.

Sin has been forgiven, forgotten, even its vestigial "shame" is gone! That's nearly the idea behind the great word "justified!" My early Sunday School teacher taught me it meant "Just-as-if-I-had-never-sinned!"

We even have a psychology lesson here! Or is it theology?

Where God says: "I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD."

Wow!

"Afflicted" in Hebrew means "lowly." And "poor" is a really parallel word, "weak, needy!"

No riches in which to trust! The Laodicean attitude here can no longer prevail! "Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Revelation 3:17

But Matthew 5:3 sure does! "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." And its accompanying promise: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

I call Zephaniah's Verses today a clear semblance of Revival! Precious promises to future Israel! "In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD."

Only the Lord!

Only the Word, the Bible!

Only God's amazing Grace!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 24, ZEPHANIAH 3:13, THE SHEPHERD:

Zephaniah 3:13 promises an immensely bright future to the little brow-beaten Nation of Judah! To those of her who survive the yet coming holocaust. To the "remnant" God is going to preserve. To the "handful" who will finally believe in Jesus, trusting Him for salvation!

"The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."

Their sin is "gone!"

They no longer "do" iniquity, this verb being "asah," simply meaning "to practice or formulate or accomplish!"

"Iniquity" can mean "violent deeds of injustice."

"Lying" is gone too! So are "deceitful" tongues. The first sin is outright falsity. The second, being filled with "fraud."

These precious people, however few they may be, have been what we call "saved." Made anew in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Then watch what our Verse does, unfolding with blessing after blessing. Sounds like they now have a wonderfully great Shepherd! "For they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."

Reminds me of Psalm 23, its opening lines. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me."

Well fed!

Resting in green pastures!

No fear!

Amen!

This is future.

This is millennial.

But nonetheless, this is to be literal!

And God always keeps His Word.

We who believe are truly on the winning side!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 25, ZEPHANIAH 3:14, ONCE SAD BUT NOW GLAD:

Zephaniah's last paragraph, chapter 3:14-20, is one of the loveliest sections of Scripture in the whole Old Testament. In fact, it's so thrilling I have already written a Series of Lessons on its very "heart," Zephaniah 3:14-17. Go to our "Site Map" and look for that Title. Ten different Lessons on this little four verse Text alone!

Still, I'd like once again to discuss Zephaniah's closing remarks. Every time one "studies" the Word of God, new and fresh and even more empowering truths "leap" from its pages! Nuggets of nourishment to help us daily live for God!

Today we'll just look at Verse 14, itself a jewel! "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem." A direct command, since these verbs, all three of them, are in the imperative mood!

Initially its looks like God is "commanding" an emotion. Sing! Be glad! Rejoice! With all your heart! But what if in Scripture, in the view of the Holy Spirit, "joyfulness" is not simply an emotion? What if it's also an act of "obedience?"

That would mean this type rejoicing is an act of one's will, not solely an emotional response!

Make yourself "rejoice" in the Lord, volitionally! Do it because God says so! And if I can begin to respond to this mandate sincerely, by gladness and joy and singing, the "feelings" will come. In time! Maybe God wants our "wills" first ... then our "emotions" can follow!

In other words ... just Obey ... no matter what your circumstances! "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem."

Note this also. God is still calling Himself the "father" of these people, of this little Nation! She, collectively, is His "daughter!" She so loved Him in her youth. Then she rebelled and followed other "lovers," the "gods" of the heathen. But now, after a period of chastisement and humility, she has "come home!" Forgiveness has been offered ... and accepted!

O glad reunion Day!

Yes, the nation, the capital city, that way back in our chapter's opening verse (Zephaniah 3:1) was called "filthy" and "polluted" and a place of "oppression" ... is now cleansed and joyful and has broken into singing!

What a change!

What a God!

What astounding Grace!

And our paragraph has only begun. The Lord willing, more tomorrow.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 26, ZEPHANIAH 3:15, WHAT A SEQUENCE:

Israel's "showers of blessings" have begun! This term is Biblical too! "And I (the Lord) will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26

Today's Text, Zephaniah 3:15 beautifully says to His little Nation: "The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more."

This is Revival!

Looks like God can "send" or God can "take away" various judgments, trials, punishments, difficulties! The verb "taken away" means "to steer" someone "around" those problem areas! To "remove" them, used this way dozens of times in Scripture!

God can also "cast out" one's very enemies! This verb is less common, "panah." It means to "face" one direction or another! It's like those enemies "thrive" when God favors them with his countenance, His Face! And they wither and disappear when God looks away!

Look! God also has "moved in" with His people! "The king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee." Wow! "Qereb" means right in the "middle!" This reminds me of Revelation chapter one where the Resurrected Jesus is "in the midst" of His seven churches!

Therefore, Zephaniah 3:15, when the judgments are gone and the enemies have been scattered and God has come into the camp ... "Thou (Judah) shalt not see evil any more." What a promise!

Amen!

Something has happened to the "heart" of Israel. She has been "converted." Things are different now!

The prophetic setting of this part of Zephaniah chapter 3 is yet in the future, these lovely verses particularly. Israel is not there yet, enjoying the literal Presence of God like this.

But that Day is coming!

Which is another way of declaring, "Jesus is going to return some day ... to this very earth!"

Just like many a Scripture has promised!

And we, the raptured Church, will be with Him too. Because Paul noted, in the great Rapture Passage of First Thessalonians chapter four, that when this Event happens ... "so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Yes!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 27, ZEPHANIAH 3:16, EXHORTATION:

Zephaniah continues: "In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack." God promising Israel!

God can remove "fear!" This expression, "Fear not," occurs sixty three times in the Bible. I just counted using my software! This verb for fear, "yare" in Hebrew, is strong. It can mean "dread, terror," something "awful!"

Jerusalem has yet to endure the Tribulation! Oh, the intense suffering she will experience. But though she will "weep" through that dark night ... "joy" will come to her "in the morning!" I'm thinking of Psalm 30:5, its wording.

Just like the resurrected Jesus said to the Disciples, "Fear not." So does Almighty God utter these encouraging words to the Jews!

Jerusalem and Zion are synonymous here. Meaning essentially the same location.

"Let not thine hands be slack." God can not only remove fear, He can also administer strength! Don't give us! God is the Giver of revival! This is similar to Paul's great declaration: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

Likely Hebrews 12:12 has in mind this Zephaniah statement too. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees."

God, the Sustainer!

God, the Refresher!

God, the Promise Keeper!

God, the Great Exhorter!

Wow!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 28, ZEPHANIAH 3:17, WHAT JOY:

I do not know a sweeter, more loving Verse in all the Old Testament, including the Psalms!

Zephaniah 3:17 says so much!

It's an inspiring statement about God and Israel. In the latter days. During the Millennium many believe.

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Amazing!

The "Lord thy God" employs both of the most often used "Names" for God. He is both Jehovah and Elohim. Combined, these two ineffable Proper Nouns occur over 9,000 times in Scripture!

And this great God is indeed "mighty." Here "gibbor" means a "warrior," but one who has fought and conquered!

The verb "will save" translates "yasha," the root word for Joshua, Jesus and eventually Saviour! Here we have a classic case of literary "foreshadowing" for sure!

Then "rejoice" means "to display great gladness!" To outwardly demonstrate inward exultation! The noun "joy" that follows here is linked to the idea of "shining, glowing, radiating light!"

"To rest" means "to be silent," simply to sit back and enjoy! God is no longer wearied with the sins of His people! Resting once again! At ease, because iniquity has been forgiven! Judah and Israel have "come home!"

And that last clause, "He will joy over thee with singing," is my favorite. Although the thoughts build one upon the other. Here "will joy" is "giyl" in Hebrew. It actually means "to twirl" around and around. God is actually that happy!

And "singing" is "rinnah," implying "harmony" of course, but in the sense of a "victory shout!"

What security this truth will bring to these battered people. What peace to their hearts!

Nearly what John 10:28-29 does to us! "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

What a Saviour!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 29, ZEPHANIAH 3:18, A FORGIVING, BURDEN-BEARING GOD:

Zephaniah 3:18 seems at first a bit "obscure." But it too is a lovely statement, from Almighty God, part of His gracious Speech to Israel.

"I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden."

The "key" to real repentance is "sorrow." Paul spoke of a "godly" sorrow even! "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." Second Corinthians 7:10, King James Version

God, through certain humiliating acts during the coming awful seven year Tribulation, "humbles" Israel, bringing her to a place of genuine repentance.

Then He gathers His people, in fact gathers all nations, to Jerusalem. There will be held a "solemn assembly," something like an old-fashioned Revival Meeting! This exact phrase, "solemn assembly," occurs nine times in the Bible! God likes Revivals!

God then miraculously removes Judah's "reproach," a noun simply meaning "scorn." She will no longer be the "laughingstock" of the world! She will again become the "head" and not the "tail" of all peoples!

Her "burdens" will be lifted! The little Nation will obey Psalm 55:22, finally. "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Amen!

A bright future, ultimately, for the Jews!

In fact, for all God's children!

For those of us who have been saved by Grace!

A hard verse to analyze, to translate, to exegete ... but its "heart" is easily exposed! God is Love! His Grace is evident! He Essence is beautiful! He is full of forgiveness!

Our Creator and Redeemer is indeed ... amazing!

"I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden."

Our Great Saviour, in a dozen ways!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Tell Him today you love Him!

LESSON 30, ZEPHANIAH 3:19, A LIST OF BLESSINGS:

Our great God is such a Source of Encouragement! He is indeed Gracious, and loving. Yet such amazing Mercy flows from His Heart of Righteousness! He loves ... yet remains Holy!

Today's Verse, Zephaniah 3:19 is an example of the Lord's great ability to encourage. In fact, the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is known as the "Comforter!" And Jesus so named Him!

Listen to God, through Zephaniah's pen. "Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame."

Wow!

There's a litany, a whole list, of things God wants to do for his people. God talking: "I will undo all who have afflicted Israel!" That's judgment on Judah's enemies!

God still, "I will save her that halteth," she who "limps" and has been "lame." That's healing!

Is the Lord going to do yet more? "I will gather her who has been driven out, dispersed, scattered." That's a reversal of God's chastisement on his backslidden people. People who have now repented! Isaiah 61:3 has a parallel thought, where God promises to give "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!" Amen!

And there's yet one more thing God plans for Israel in this verse: "I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame." Reversal of reputation! From "shame" to "fame!"

Yes, the Lord is an Exhorter!

An Up-lifter!

He is the true Fountain of all blessing! James 1:17 is certainly right, as Zephaniah 3:19 has again proved today: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

What a blessing!

Just knowing this wonderful God!

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 31, ZEPHANIAH 3:20, WHAT A GOD:

I am a little bit "sad" today. This is the final Lesson from the Book of Zephaniah! We've been studying here in these three chapters for over a month now. It's like the Prophet has become a "friend!"

The Book started on a grave note, one of stark judgment upon sin. But it is ending in great joy! God has "saved" His people, the Nation of Judah in particular but Israel overall.

Here's that final complex sentence. "At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." Zephaniah 3:20

God Himself "scattered" the Jews. So He can "bring them again" if He so chooses! Especially if they repent! The first verb "bo" ("will bring") here in Hebrew means that God "caused them to come" home!

"To gather" implies calling an "assembly!" "Qabatzs" means "to collect," like something precious! God is amassing His little jewels! Malachi 3:17 comes to mind. "And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."

The Lord can even control one's "reputation" it now seems. "I (the Lord) will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth." Once despised people, now uplifted and honored! I'm here thinking of Psalm 75:6-7. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." Wow!

Folks, God is at the "controls" of this whole world! Listen to His last statement in Zephaniah, directed to His dear People. "When I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." Here "turn back" translates "shub," another Hebrew verb meaning "to do a 180 degree maneuver." To go in the opposite direction! God had expelled them, now He receives them back!

"Captivity" has become "freedom, liberty!"

What a thrill!

Thinking that God Almighty is going to so bless Israel in the future. In fact, read again the last paragraph of Zephaniah. Take the time. And "shout" a little for these humble, returning Jews! "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD."

Grace is indeed ... AMAZING!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 32, ZEPHANIAH, CONCLUSION:

One more thought about Zephaniah, the man, the Prophet. His name means, in Hebrew, "whom the Lord hides!" Or another lexicon says, "whom the Lord treasures!"

Let me discuss these thoughts today. As we close this series with its now thirty-three lessons.

Zephaniah as a person is nearly "invisible" throughout his little Book. All fifty-three verses. Three short chapters.

We do not get to really know him, nothing like we do Jeremiah for example. Or even Paul in the New Testament.

Zephaniah preaches!

That's what he does.

And stays out of the way. He lets the message take prominence over the man! He wants God to increase, therefore he decreases!

Zephaniah, whom the Lord hides!

Sounds like Paul, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." First Corinthians 2:2

But Zephaniah, you will remember, means "whom the Lord treasures" as well! He may be insignificant in the overall scheme of his Prophecy, of God's Plan for the ages, but he is "precious" in the eyes of God nonetheless!

This Preacher is so "sweet" to the Lord that his name will be preserved forever, attached to the Biblical Book he wrote. He is now "endeared" to every Bible student who has ever read the sermons he proclaimed!

Zephaniah is certainly among those whom God had in mind in Malachi 3:17, when He said: "And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."

Wow!

So, as we bid Zephaniah farewell ... we have learned two lessons. God needs humble, lowly, non-ego servants, people willing to be "hidden" under the Shadow of the Almighty!

But then secondly, God will "treasure" such men and women as well. Yes, like we sang growing up, we are "precious" in His Sight.

Hidden but valuable!

Amen!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell