Zephaniah

It took me about 12 minutes to read the words of this prophet.  Zephaniah proclaimed God’s message of judgment during the reign of the last king of Judah who sought after God.  God speaks about the infidelity of the Jews who seek to worship many gods in hopes that somehow they will prosper.  They were very religious, but not true to the God of Israel.  The prophet speaks of a coming captivity and restoration that is decades away.  There were probably faithful Jewish worshippers who tried to hush these harsh words against the kingdom of Judah.  The time to proclaim this message would fit in time slot for most weekly church services in America; so maybe the Prophet presented God’s case one Sabbath day in the temple.  I believe the words recorded in 3:16-17 were for the faithful in Judah and can be shared with Christians today who mourn over the evil that seems so abundant in our world.  Give up despair and fear to God.  The end of your days may not be what you expect.  Remember that the ever present God of love will bring peace and delight to his people.

Stuart