Zephaniah 1:1 says, The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. Matthew Henry says that Zephaniah was the last prophet before the captivity of the people of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, and Jeremiah was the first prophet during their captivity. Zephaniah said that the word of the LORD came to him in the days of Joash, king of Judah. What Zephaniah was going to tell them was God's word, and what we as followers of Christ today must share with the world is God's word. Verse two adds, I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. Zephaniah said that God had said that He was going to destroy everything in the land of Judah. This was not to be just an arbitrary act on the part of God, but was due to the sins of the people of Judah. Verse three continues, I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. God said this was to be a complete destruction of the land, of the people, the animals, the fish and the fowl of the air. This is a figurative statement of complete destruction. Since the people of Judah had perverted the use of the animals that God had provided for them, He was going to take them away. If we begin to misuse the things that God blesses us with, we should not be surprised if He takes them away. Verse four declares, I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; God said that He was going to cut off all the worship of Baal and other false gods, and the priests who proclaimed their word. One day, God is likewise going to cut off all the false gods of today and the people who follow them. Verse five adds, And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; God said He would also cut off those who worshipped the heavens claiming to worship God. There is no room for the worship of any of God's creation as well as any man-made idol in our relationship with God. Verse six continues, And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him. Zephaniah was specific in who God said was going to be destroyed and why. The had turned their back on God and no longer sought Him. These were God's chosen people, but they had rejected Him. The only way to salvation is through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and yet too many people have turned their back on Him and refuse to seek His will in their life. Verse seven states, Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. God called on the people of Judah to be prepared, because He was coming in judgment. Those who had offered up false sacrifices would themselves become a sacrifice to God. If we worship false gods, then when God's judgment comes,we will be given up to everlasting punishment or sacrificed by God to the penalty for our sins. Verse eight adds, And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. God said those in power would be punished for their sins. These were the people who were supposed to be leading Judah and Jerusalem to God, but instead they were leading them away from Him. Verse nine concludes, In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit. God said that no one who had turned away from Him would escape His coming punishment. Matthew Henry says that leap upon the threshold likely meant entering a neighbor's home to steal from them. It doesn't matter if we are rich or poor, if we are guilty of sin in our life, God will punish it. Our only hope is to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, since He has already paid the penalty for our sins.
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