Zephaniah Explains the Emptying of the Land Zephaniah 1:1-3:17. “I will utterly consume all things from off the land, . . . I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, . . . saith Yehuveh.” Zephaniah 1:2-3. |
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he picture painted by Zephaniah is exceedingly bleak. Yehuveh clearly states that He is about to “utterly consume all things from off the land, . . . man and beast; . . . fowls of the heaven, . . . and the fishes of the sea, . . . and I will cut off man from off the land, saith Yehuveh.” He further | |||||
focuses these prophecies by stating that He is about to “stretch out Mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” But this is just the beginning point. Like the glimpse in Revelation 11:1-2 and Ezekiel 9:6, Yehuveh begins both judgment and destruction at “the temple of Elohim, and the altar, and them that worship therein,” with “the ancient men which werer before the house.” From there Yehuveh’s judgment quickly spreads to the whole world: “Therefore wait ye upon Me, saith Yehuveh, until the day that I arise up to the prey: for My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them Mine indignation, even all My fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy.” Zephaniah 1:2-4; 3:8. Yet, while Zephania has the unpleasant task of foretelling the destruction, he also has the privilege of painting a fantastic picture of the restoration to follow: “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. Yehuveh hath taken away thy judgments, He hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even Yehuveh, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. Yehuveh thy Elohim in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith Yehuveh.” Awesome promise of a sure future! Zephaniah 3:13-20. Gael Bataman Originally Written: 23 September 2009 Latest Update: 23 September 2009 Continue . . . . Go to Zadok Home Page Go to Commentary on Zephaniah Go to Historical Calendar Go to Zephaniah 1 Go to Zephaniah 2 Go to Zephaniah 3 |