Thursday, February 5, 2009

Zephaniah’s Connection to Today’s Headlines

Though I am trying to summarize in this blog, I think I will basically quote from my journal in reference to chapter 2, and try to shorten it in the process.

Zephaniah 2:1-3 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.

My first thought upon reading these verses was that the prophet is speaking to Judah. I was surprised to note that the Hebrew for nation in verse 1 made specific reference to the Gentiles or heathen although it was broad enough to include people in general. In context with the ending of the previous chapter and the bookend of verse 3, I’m inclined to think application can be made of the message as a call to repentance to all on planet earth. Since we know Zephaniah was prophesying primarily to Judah, you can’t deny application to the Jews of that time specifically. Chuck Smith states in his commentary, “the Hebrew literally means ‘a nation that knows no shame.’" In that regard, it’s not surprising that the prophet would use language connecting Judah with the heathen at that time.

The message of verse 3 is directed specifically to the “meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment.” They are being encouraged to petition the Lord in prayer to help them continue in righteous living with humility in spite of the wicked influences surrounding them. The motivation—“it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.” Due to my interest in prophecy, this phrase immediately jumped out at me. Scripture is clear to record that God always preserves a believing remnant of Israel and is quite consistent in showing that the faithful are delivered from judgment. Noah and his family were delivered from the judgment of the flood. Lot and his family were delivered before Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. I can’t help but make application to the fact that whether delivered through or removed from, God does not direct His judgment at people of faith.

It was also significant that the Hebrew for hid states “be absent, keep close, conceal.” In its future application to the “day of the Lord” in end times, I can’t help but make a connection to the rapture for people of faith and the protection of the Jewish remnant through the tribulation.

The next verse is very interesting in light of today’s headlines.

Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

In context, the prophet’s message continues its address to the Gentile nations, specifically those near Judah. These first four cities are all part of the land of the Philistines, and are generally in the area today known as the Gaza strip.

Other scriptures seem to reiterate this prophecy.

Amos 1:8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

Zechariah prophesies regarding these cities in connection with the destruction of Tyre, basically the land known today as Lebanon.

Zechariah 9:3-7 And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

I can’t put it together in my mind, but I can’t help but wonder if future application is tied to the terrorist activities of Hizbullah (in Lebanon), Hamas (in Gaza) and Syria and Iran as their sponsor states.

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