Review of Zephaniah

We will do a quick review of Zephaniah.  First, as with all prophets, it was made clear that this was God's word that was being proclaimed.  As Christians today, it is our responsibility to proclaim the gospel, God's plan for redemption, and to call people to faith in Jesus Christ and to obedience to God's word.  We also see that if a person or a nation who profess to be God's people turn away from Him that they will face His judgment instead of receiving His blessings.  God had richly blessed the people of Jerusalem and Judah, but because He had blessed them so much, they decided that they did not need Him and started worshipping false gods.  We cannot begin to believe as an individual or as a nation that God is going to bless us no matter what and start believing that we can follow other gods, whatever they may be.  We then see God's warning to the neighbors of Jerusalem and Judah who were intent on destroying her.  God may allow the enemies of His people to be victorious over them for a while, but His judgment has already been pronounced on them, because they refuse to accept Him as the only true God.  Finally, we see God's promise to the remnant of Israel, those who remained faithful to Him or returned to faithfulness in Him.  No matter how bad things got in the world, these were the people who continued to live by faith in God.  As Christians today we are a part of that remnant.  We are all a pert of God's everlasting kingdom.  The people of God in the Old Testament and the people of God In the New Testament times and since are all part of the same family, and we are all to live in accordance with His will.