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May 19 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 139

Have you ever felt the church needed a renewal?  Then you're thinking like a prophet!  Watch today's Bible Project video about the prophet Zephaniah to see what his book is all about.



DAILY READINGS

Zephaniah 1-3 & Psalm 134

DAILY NOTES

Zephaniah 1
  • God is ready to "sweep away everything from the face of the earth."  Words like "wicked" "idolatrous" depict why God is angry with the people of God.
  • Notice the references to the "great day of the Lord."
Zephaniah 2
  • God promises to judge foreign nations, too.
  • Maybe if you turn right now you can avoid judgement (vs. 3).
  • Verse 7 is a subtle indication that the people of God will be restored one day.  The seacoast will "become the possession of the house of Judah."
Zephaniah 3
  • The prophet returns to the judgement of Jerusalem.  Corruption and injustice abounds throughout the city.  
  • Punishment is unavoidable, but there is also a sense that God will renew the people through it.  For example, "I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech."  It will God that will bring change to the people.
    • Finally, God will gather those who shall be faithful and make them "renowned and praised."
Psalm 134
  • An easy psalm to memorize!

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Zephaniah reminds me of Jesus' parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14).  One would expect the Pharisee, the more "religious" person, to understand his need for God.  Oh, he probably understands that he needs God.  Just not that much.  That sinful tax collector proves to be the one who has a grasp on his humanity.  He recognizes that his sin hurts God.  

Zephaniah says that the "unjust knows no shame" (3:5).  The fuller you are of yourself, the less room you have for God.  And that's what happened to the people of God.  They filled themselves with themselves.  Sure, they made room for God.  But that's not how it works.  You can't love God with all you have by making room for God.  

Merely making room for God leads to self righteousness and a false security.  To be sure of where we stand, our trust must be, first and foremost and overbearingly, in God.  We must take our refuge in the name of the Lord (3:12).

Stay blessed...john

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