The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Zephaniah 2:1-3,
"Gather together, gather yourselves together,
you shameful nation,
before the decree takes effect
and that day passes like windblown chaff,
before the Lord's fierce anger
comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord's wrath
comes upon you.
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the Lord's anger."
As a contemporary of Jeremiah, Zephaniah's prophetic ministry was focused on the people of Judah, the Lord's coming judgment of them - as well as other surrounding nations.
In this passage, the Lord tells the people of Judah that, even at this late date of his coming judgment of them for their rebellion, if they would but just seek him, they might be spared the judgment, "perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger."
The patience of the Lord is an amazing thing. Both Judah and the surrounding nations deserve the Lord's judgment, yet he holds out a way for them to escape it, to escape his wrath. Unfortunately Judah did not respond to this late offer of the Lord and is destroyed by the Babylonians.
I am reminded of what Paul says in regard to the Lord's patience relative to sin, "when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them (others who sin) and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:3-4.
"Gather together, gather yourselves together,
you shameful nation,
before the decree takes effect
and that day passes like windblown chaff,
before the Lord's fierce anger
comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord's wrath
comes upon you.
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the Lord's anger."
As a contemporary of Jeremiah, Zephaniah's prophetic ministry was focused on the people of Judah, the Lord's coming judgment of them - as well as other surrounding nations.
In this passage, the Lord tells the people of Judah that, even at this late date of his coming judgment of them for their rebellion, if they would but just seek him, they might be spared the judgment, "perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger."
The patience of the Lord is an amazing thing. Both Judah and the surrounding nations deserve the Lord's judgment, yet he holds out a way for them to escape it, to escape his wrath. Unfortunately Judah did not respond to this late offer of the Lord and is destroyed by the Babylonians.
I am reminded of what Paul says in regard to the Lord's patience relative to sin, "when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them (others who sin) and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:3-4.
Our God is a loving and forgiving god who extends his mercy to us by making a way for any who wish to escape his judgment. This is all we need to know in order to understand why God the Father sent his Son to die a miserable death on that cross. He paid the penalty for our sins to satisfy the just nature of the Father, that we might have a way into his family.
An incredible expression of his unfathomable love for us!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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