The Lord is “upset” at the children of Israel (Judah) because they have again imported a strange and foreign custom into their worship practices. Our Text verse for today is Zephaniah 1:9. “In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.” The Lord said these words.

The heathen nations surrounding Judah believed that “bad luck” or “the curse of the gods and goddesses” would fall upon anyone stepping on the “threshold” (the doorway, doorstep, entrance into a room or building, especially here a holy building, a temple). They picked this up from the Philistines, as well as others. In 1st Samuel 5:5 an example is given. “Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon’s house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.”

It sounds silly to us, indeed.

But was deadly serious to them, the ancients.

BUT TO TAKE SUCH WICKED BELIEFS AND PRACTICE THEM … AT THE VERY HOUSE OF GOD … WAS AN ABOMINATION TO OUR LORD!

The verb “leap” means “to leap over” apparently.

Also one study source said that the wicked back in those days believed that “demons” lived on the doorsteps of their temples. So you stay away (do not step on, thus leap over) such places as you go to worship your god!

And the people of Judah (some of them anyway) “fell” for this stupidity!

So … God will “punish” them. “In the same day also will I (the Lord) punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.”

The noun “violence” is spelled “hamas” in Hebrew! HAMAS! Violence against God, apparently! The only True Master!

And “deceit” is twice translated in the King James Version “falsehood.”

Treating God’s Temple as if it were a mere idolatrous house of worship!

Let me say this in closing. Today in many Churches such “strange” practices have overtaken old-fashioned worship of Almighty God. Or at least have been “mixed” with the remnants of what used to be genuine worship.

Syncretism, it’s called. It’s precise definition: “the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.”

Paul, in 2nd Corinthians 6:17-18, wrote: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

Wow!

In our last lesson the Jews were (sinfully) wearing strange apparel.

This lesson they’re worshipping according to strange customs, superstitions!

Again, Paul: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2nd Corinthians 6:14

Let us take not.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell