More judgment!

I am thankful we live in the Day of God’s Grace! Ephesians 3:2 uses the best expression: “If ye have heard of THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD which is given me to you-ward.”

Not the Day of God’s Wrath! As in Revelation 6:17, the tribulation: “For THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

Zephaniah, for nearly a whole chapter, has been describing the fierce Anger of God.

Today’s Text included: “And I (the Lord) 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, the chapter’s last two verses.

Wow!

The verb “to bring distress” (in Hebrew “tzsarar”) hints at some extremely “tight” places, no room to move, maybe even the loss of freedom! And “walking like blind men” surely indicates instability, people halting and staggering and about to fall!

God induced discomfort … due to unconfessed and unforsaken sin!

But things get worse, immediately. Bloodshed, death, wasted lives! (Because the Jews were under enemy attack! From the Babylonians historically and the Antichrist prophetically.)

And “bribery” won’t work this time. Yes, previously Israel had “bought” the favors of her enemies. By paying taxes or tribute, “money for peace!” Look how this fact is worded: “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath!”

The noun for “wrath” is again “ebrah,” a veritable “outpouring” of Holy Anger!

What aspect of God’s Character (His “Essence”) is demanding such punishment?

His “jealousy!” Zephaniah minces no words: “The whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His Jealousy.” Holy, sinless jealousy, I might add.

A noun (“quinah”) meaning “zeal, ardor, passion,” the Lord God Almighty always having demanded total allegiance. Exodus 20:3 … “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”

The expression “speedy riddance” is “bahal kalah” in Hebrew, a rather “quick termination” of these rebels! Of the land’s inhabitants.

Yes folks, God’s GRACE has reigned now for nearly two thousand years.

But, when it comes, God’s WRATH will linger for quite some time as well. (But even, with our great God, in Wrath … there is some Grace! “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.” Jesus in Matthew 24:22)

The Lord willing, more Monday morning. When we begin Zephaniah chapter two.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Each morning I determine to finish our discussion of Zephaniah Chapter 1. But I keep finding little phrases or clauses or thoughts that I can’t omit! I’ve fallen in love with this Prophet, how true to His Lord he stood!

This Friday we notice again just 2 verses. “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 1:15-16, remarkably with the Lord Himself still speaking!

The “day” here implied included the tragic day Judah “fell” to the Babylonians, no doubt. Finally in 586 BC, beginning 70 years of servitude (captivity) for that little Nation. In the bowels of Nebuchadnezzar’s heathen giant!

But this “day” also includes glimpses of a yet future judgment. The “Tribulation” period described by both the Old Testament Prophets and our Lord Jesus. (Well, add the Apostle John from the Isle of Patmos too, in the New Testament Book of Revelation).

Our Text today contains a “list,” a frightening one! A litany of adjectives almost unparalleled in Scripture! “Wrath, trouble, distress, wasteness, desolation, darkness, gloominess, clouds, thick darkness, trumpet (an attacking army) and alarm!”

I can only think of one more Bible list as lengthy, but its “negatives” are blessings, really! Revelation 21:1 gloriously enumerates things that will NOT be in Heaven! “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” No tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain, no former ills at all!

But Zephaniah’s list (unlike any other I’ve found) is loaded with seldom used words in Scripture!

God’s Wrath has finally fallen!

For example, “wrath” is not “aph,” as expected, used 276 times in the Bible. But “ebrah” (an outpouring, a flood, unlike anything before, passing even God’s past record), only found 34 times in the Bible!

And the noun “distress” is found only 7 times in the whole Bible, Old Testament!

“Wasteness” only 13 times, meaning “to rush over,” hence, to destroy!

And get this. “Desolation,” only 3 times, meaning “a ravaging storm!”

“Gloominess,” just 10 Bible occurrences, “very dark,” as when the sun finally sets.

Finally, “thick darkness,” just 15 appearances in the Bible! Twice translated “gross darkness!”

Such words of judgment make me think of a song, but the title’s real meaning would have to be reversed. “What a Day that will be!” Not a day of “good tidings” as in 2nd Kings 7:9, but a day of “trouble” as in 2nd Kings 19:3.

Isaiah 22:5 expertly captures the awesome thought. “For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.”

And that day, though partially history, is surely mostly future!

Wow!

Or better, “Woe!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

I am writing today’s Lesson as we ride up the road, Interstate 22 from Myrtle, Mississippi over toward Birmingham, Alabama! Wirelessly, on-line and sharing God’s Word with each of you.

On a bright and sunny morning. Debbie just said how lovely the sky appears out the front windshield. And yet I must discuss with you a Bible Passage about judgment, dark days of God’s Wrath!

“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.” Zephaniah 1:13-14

God is here speaking, via His Prophet.

His people (the Nation of Judah) have sinned and sinned. And will not heed, will not repent, though warned again and again.

Therefore, the things the people had gained through hard work … will be taken from them as spoils of war!

Their homes, which were supposed to be havens of safety, relaxation … have become desolate (the Hebrew = wasted, stunningly so)!

And their houses under construction … will never be inhabited, not by the people themselves anyway!

And their crops (particularly their grape vines, likely a symbol of joy and fellowship) … will never be reaped!

These tragedies are called “the wages of sin!”

The results of disobeying God.

That’s the underlying philosophy, theology of the Old Testament Prophets of God.

Paul echoes the same truth in Galatians 6:7. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Oh, what an encouragement these 2 verses should be to each of us … to live more godly lives, thereby avoiding God’s mighty (yet loving) Hand of Discipline.

The Lord willing, more sobering thoughts tomorrow.

The Book of Zephaniah … dark at first, but much brighter by the end of chapter 3, its grand finale!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today’s verse reflects the very epitome of current thought. In one way, anyhow. Let me show you what I mean. In Zephaniah 1:12 the Lord makes this observation: “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.”

Wow!

God is “punishing” once again, “paqad” being the Hebrew verb employed here. It means “to attend to, to visit, to count, to judge.” In other words, nothing escapes God’s attention! He evaluates everything!

God, calling men to give an “account” of their deeds!

Then … God on a “search,” what a thought! “Chaphas” at least 7 times in the Bible means “to disguise oneself.” Once it’s translated “hidden.” God, The Investigator!

But why are these men in such trouble?

Number one … they have become so complacent. Satisfied, in “perfect” shape. Not caring about the deplorable (spiritual) conditions in which they live. “Settled on their lees,” like wine left too long in one position. Not being “shaken” very often. I’ve read that a hard crust forms over wine when it is left undisturbed for protracted periods of time, rendering it nearly useless. (Jeremiah 48:11 gives a fuller example of this anomaly. “Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” Graphic!)

I fear America has become way too “settled,” not much “disturbed.”

And number two … the people had developed a lackadaisical view of God. He was then seen as a “No-Hands” God, withdrawn from everyday life! “They say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.” In other words, God does not care about human activity. He is totally “neutral!”

Right and Wrong … the words no longer held any meaning!

Folks, that philosophy alone invites God’s punishment, eventually anyway.

What an ancient verse of Scripture, Zephaniah 1:12 (now 2,600 years old at least) … yet how very modern (the year 2016 as I write) and contemporary!

And mankind still commits these sins … prodigiously.

God, help us.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Certainly, Zephaniah is a Book of Judgment. In its initial emphasis, anyway.

And I believe this judgment has a twofold view, as well. Both a more local fulfillment (a literal catastrophe which occurred a few years after Zephaniah lived and ministered), known now as the Babylonian invasion and captivity. Plus a longer range fulfillment (yet future as I write this lesson), known as the Tribulation (seven years of horror on planet earth).

Then … no doubt today’s verses have both already been experienced by Judah … and will yet again be lived by the Jews some future day.

Now the text: “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.” Zephaniah 1:10-11

This is an attack on the financial arm of the little Nation. Her “merchants,” a noun linked to the Bible word “Canaanite!” Simply spelled “kenaan.” Folks who buy and sell, folks who “treasure” silver and gold! (The Bible is not against commerce per se, but constantly warns against an out-of-proportion “love” of money!)

Notice the appositive (a re-stating of some term, a further explanation) in verse 11. Her “merchants,” matched immediately by her “silver bearers!”

The “fish gate” is an actual (archaeologically confirmed) location on the north side of Jerusalem. Near the “fish market” it is thought. The “hills” and the “second” are places harder to identify, but no doubt accurate geographical depictions. This is an invasion from the north! A noisy one! War always is.

And “Maktesh” just indicates “a deep hollow,” some lower part of the city. The actual word is a noun meaning “mortar,” a sort of shallow bowl shape.

This this history?

For sure.

As in 586 BC.

Is this (still) yet future?

Yes!

As I said, during the Tribulation.

Israel will again be attacked … specifically from the north!

And the goal of all this militarism?

TO BRING GOD’S PEOPLE BACK TO HIM!

TO DISCOURAGE THEIR WORSHIPPING THE IDOLS OF THE WORLD!

TO CREATE A CLEAN NATION, FREELY ADORING OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

ULTIMATELY, TO ABUNDANTLY BLESS ISRAEL!

TO ALLOW HER TO FULFILL THE VERY REASON SHE WAS CREATED!

To which we must all say, “Amen!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

To our students, readers of this Zephaniah Series of Lessons … as opportunity presents itself … read the little Book of Zephaniah a few times. Doing so will help you tremendously in seeing the general trajectory of the Prophet’s thoughts. And make these morning articles much more interesting, too.