Zephaniah
She obeys no
one,
she accepts no
correction.
She does not trust in
the Lord,
she does not draw near
to her God.
3:2
Footnote: Do you know people who
refuse to listen when someone disagrees with their opinions? Their root problem
is pride -- inflated self-esteem. God's people had become so proud that they
would not hear or accept God's correction. Do you find it difficult to listen
to the spiritual counsel of others or God's words from the Bible? Don't let
pride make you unable or unwilling to let God work in your life. You will be
more willing to listen when you consider how weak and sinful you really are
compared to God.
At that time I will
gather you;
at that time I will
bring you home.
I will give you honor
and praise
among all the peoples of
the earth
when I restore your
fortunes
before your very
eyes,
says the Lord.
3:20
Footnote: The
message of doom in the beginning of the book becomes a message of hope by the
end. There will be a new day when God will bless his people. If the leaders in
the church today were to hear a message from a prophet of God, the message would
probably resemble the book of Zephaniah. Under Josiah's religious reforms, the
people did return to God outwardly, but their hearts were far from him.
Zephaniah encouraged the nation to gather together and pray for salvation. We
must also ask ourselves: Is our reform merely an outward show or is it changing
our hearts and lives? We need to gather together and pray, to walk humbly with
God, to do what is right, and to hear the message of hope regarding the new
world to come.
Keep reading -- 151 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV
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