Read Thru the Word | Today's Reading

ZEPHANIAH 2:8-3:20, 2 CHRONICLES 35:20-27, 2 KINGS 23:29-30, JEREMIAH 47:1-48:47

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No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the LORD or draw near to its God.

Zephaniah 3:2

Sin ruptures my fellowship with God.Correction restores the fellowship.God doesn’t- Approve sin, no matter who commits the sin.- Remove the consequences of sin, no matter how far removed those consequences are from the sin.- Rejoice over punishment, and judgement of sin.All the nations choose sin over God. God made one attempt after another to another to restore the fellowship they broke, but they didn’t:- Heed warnings and wisdom.- Respond to God’s correction.- Trust God.- Draw near to God

Something new:

But I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come. I, the LORD, have spoken!” This is the end of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Moab. |Jeremiah 48:47I’ve always wondered about the restoration of Moab, a city that faced such horrible judgement from God because of their treatment of Israel. I’m thankful to have found this from Adam Clarke:“Perhaps the restoration spoken of here, which was to take place in the latter days, may mean the conversion of these people, in their existing remnants, to the faith of the Gospel. Several judicious interpreters are of this opinion. The Moabites were partially restored; but never, as far as I have been able to learn, to their national consequence. Their conversion to the Christian faith must be the main end designed by this prophecy.”

Something to do:

My something to do is obvious:- Heed warnings and wisdom- Respond to God’s correction.- Trust God.- Draw near to God

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But the LORD is still there in the city, and he does no wrong.Zephaniah 3:5a

Something old:

She (Jerusalem) has (NKJV):not obeyed His voicenot received correctionnot trusted in the Lordnot drawn near to her GodEven if/when I am: not obedientnot correctablenot unfaithfulnot approachableHe never leaves me.But the LORD is still there in the city, Zephaniah 3:5a“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b (ESV) He does not ever fail me.Day by day he hands down justice, and he does not fail. Zephaniah 3:5b Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

Something new:

Leadership matters.Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions. Zephaniah 3:4

Something to do:

Sing praises of His marvelous and endless grace.

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On that day I will gather you togetherand bring you home again.I will give you a good name, a name of distinction,among all the nations of the earth,as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes.I, the Lord, have spoken!”Zephaniah 3:20

Something old:

Something new:

- Zephaniah began his ministry in the early days of the reign of King Josiah.- Zephaniah’s family tree included King Hezekiah, he was in the house of Judah.- Zephaniah was an aristocrat sent to speak to the aristocrats.- King Josiah had desperately tried to turn his nation away from sinfulness.- He tore down altars to idols.- He renewed the covenant between Judah and the Lord.- “Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.” 2 Kings 23:25- Unfortunately the two previous kings, Manessah and Amon, led the nation into deep, dark sin.- They had gone too far.- The people lived wicked lives.- Zephaniah preached of coming judgment for the city of Jerusalem.- Zephaniah reminds Judah that they still have time for repentance.- The wicked will fall.- Zephaniah also has a message of restoration.- God will bring about something new.- God promises good.- Zephaniah’s message is that God cares about holiness.- God cares so much that He uses ALL things to bring about good.- God wants us to cling to Him, and Him alone.- That is the story of Zephaniah, and all history.

Something to do:

Be known for what you cling to…and let it be God, and God alone. He is worth it all.

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But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, “Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded!” So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. The prophet Jeremiah composed funeral songs for Josiah, and to this day choirs still sing these sad songs about his death. These songs of sorrow have become a tradition and are recorded in The Book of Laments.2 Chronicles 35:22-25

Something old:

What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime! No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the LORD or draw near to its God.Zephaniah 3:1-2

Something new:

King Josiah was a good king,The people had shown their true hearts under kings Manasseh and Amon.God told them judgment was coming.God had promised the end of Judah would not happen until after Josiah’s death.2 Kings 22:18-20King Josiah marched out to meet King Neco of Egypt.He did not ask God what to do.He dies in Jerusalem, and is buried with full honor.This placed Judah under Egyptian rule.It was time for Judah to be punished.

Something to do:

Slow down. Make godly decisions, not rash ones.

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Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions.Zephaniah 3:4

Something old:

Even with all the wickedness and rebellion, God was still present in the city.(Zephaniah 3:5)He never leaves me, even in my rebellion.(Hebrews 13:5)

Something new:

These points are from one of my favorite study sites, Gotquestions.org. I couldn’t have made the points any better.Don’t think for a minute God doesn’t know what is going on.(Numbers 32:23)No matter what, we are called to forgive.(Matthew 6:12)Church leaders, even lay leaders are held to higher standard of living and are not above the law. They are accountable for their actions.(See Titus 1:6-9 for church leadership standards.)Personal confrontation is sometimes necessary with the goal of change, repentance, and new goals set in place.(Galatians 2:14)Criminal activity needs to be reported.

Something to do:

Pray for my leaders.

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Read Thru the Word | Today's Reading

ZEPHANIAH 2:8-3:20, 2 CHRONICLES 35:20-27, 2 KINGS 23:29-30, JEREMIAH 47:1-48:47