The Day Draws Near
[ READ ] Zephaniah 1–2
1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
The Coming Judgment on Judah
2 “I will utterly sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
3 “I will sweep away man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds of the heavens
and the fish of the sea,
and the rubble[a] with the wicked.
I will cut off mankind
from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal
and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,
5 those who bow down on the roofs
to the host of the heavens,
those who bow down and swear to the Lord
and yet swear by Milcom,
6 those who have turned back from following the Lord,
who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.”
Zephaniah 1:1-6
The Coming Judgment on Judah
2 “I will utterly sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
3 “I will sweep away man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds of the heavens
and the fish of the sea,
and the rubble[a] with the wicked.
I will cut off mankind
from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal
and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,
5 those who bow down on the roofs
to the host of the heavens,
those who bow down and swear to the Lord
and yet swear by Milcom,
6 those who have turned back from following the Lord,
who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.”
Zephaniah 1:1-6
I know reading prophecies of destruction and justice can be a little intense. It is humbling to know we serve a God who commands the mountains, seas, and skies. Our God is awesome in power and He is jealous of our hearts and attention. I want to point out Chapter 1 verses 4-6. This is written about a people who bow down to God, but have their eyes set on the wrong thing. This should sound familiar. I know in my life I have done the things, put my hands up in worship, prayed the prayers, but still allowed other false gods to captivate my attention and my heart. My flesh still pursues other gods, and that's why our repentance is daily. This should put our eyes on Calvary and the wrath of God’s justice that has been satisfied. Let us encounter Jesus at the cross and allow Him to captivate everything we do. (1 Corinthians 10:31).
- Quentin Parker
- Quentin Parker
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect:
+ What is being said when the text talks about the names of the priests and the priests?
+ See Matthew 6:24. What is similar between that passage and today’s reading?
+ What is being said when the text talks about the names of the priests and the priests?
+ See Matthew 6:24. What is similar between that passage and today’s reading?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life:
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What are one or two distractions you have from your obedience to God?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What are one or two distractions you have from your obedience to God?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.churchcenter.com/groups)
+ What is my next step?
+ How can you cut your distractions away?
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.churchcenter.com/groups)
+ What is my next step?
+ How can you cut your distractions away?
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