December 19, 2023
“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs” (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT). Near the end of Zephaniah’s prophecy of trouble and tribulation for Israel, he
December 19, 2022
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS Do you know your great, great grandfather’s name? Zephaniah did. Some believe he gave such an extensive lineage in his introduction to establish that he was a descendent of King Hezekiah. However, it does seem odd that he didn’t refer to him as “King Hezekiah” if that were truly the
December 19, 2021
GOD IN OUR MIDST, REJOICING OVER US Near the end of Zephaniah’s prophecy of trouble and tribulation for Israel, he prophesied the coming of a Mighty Savior. Like a mighty hero, He would abide with them and rescue them. Like a husband, He would receive and rejoice over His bride. Like a mother, He would
December 19, 2020
IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US, SINGING OVER US Near the end of Zephaniah’s prophecy of trouble and tribulation for Israel, he prophesied the coming of a Mighty Savior. Like a mighty hero, He would abide with them and rescue them. Like a husband, He would receive and rejoice over His bride. Like a mother, He would
December 19, 2019
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS Do you know your great, great grandfather’s name? Zephaniah did. Some believe he gave such an extensive lineage in his introduction to establish that he was a descendent of King Hezekiah. However, he probably would have referred to him as “King Hezekiah” if that were truly the case. Regardless, Zephaniah
December 19, 2015
Do you know your great, great grandfather’s name? Zephaniah did. Some believe he gave such an extensive lineage in his introduction to establish that he was a descendent of King Hezekiah. However, he probably would have referred to him as “King Hezekiah” if that were truly the case. Regardless, Zephaniah knew his lineage well. He had probably memorized his family’s “begats” all the way back to Abraham as this would have been part of his childhood training. Every Jew had to be able to establish their tribal identity in order to receive the lands and titles of their inheritance. Only Levites could serve as priests, only those from the Levitical house of Aaron could serve as High Priest, the throne in Jerusalem belonged to a descendant of David, and so on. The prophet Zephaniah wrote during the “days of” King Josiah, the last good king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. His prophecy warned the people of Judah to repent because God was soon to judge them and only a remnant would be saved. Zephaniah’s prophecy of judgment was fulfilled when Jerusalem fell to Babylon. However, his prophecy about the remnant being rescued by the “Mighty One” (Zeph. 3:17) who saves is only partially complete. Jesus, the Mighty One, the Son of David and Son of God has come and will soon come again to take up His rightful place on David’s royal throne.
December 19, 2013
The prophet Zephaniah was a resident of Jerusalem prior to its overthrow by Babylon. He was probably a member of the royal family of David (see his reference to Hezekiah). His prophecy was a call to repentance and of coming judgment. Yet, in the midst of these words, he reported God’s plan for a coming “time” when all peoples would call upon the name of God with a “pure” and changed speech. A future day when the peoples of the world would serve God in “one accord.”
December 19, 2011
Our God is not just high and mighty to save, but near and willing to love us like a father, to sing over us like a mother comforting her child.