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Repent !!!

by Lance Ponder⁽⁸⁵⁾
http://fkiprofessor.xanga.com

Zeph 2:1-3 Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect [lit. "gives birth"] —before the day passes away like chaff—before there comes upon you the burning anger of the Lord, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the Lord. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.

Following a chapter that dwelt on the Day of the Lord, at last we get a bit of good news. It is at least possible to evade if not avoid the great wrath to come.

After giving dire warnings of the impending day of the Lord, Zephaniah gives instructions about what the people are expected to do. First, they are to gather. Get everyone together and get these instructions into everyone’s hands and get all to agree on them. There is a sense of urgency in the prophet’s words and, since Jerusalem fell within about one generation of this message, the urgency was well founded. We should have the same sense of urgency when we carry out the great commission to witness of God’s glory and divine mercies.

Upon gathering, the next instruction is to seek the Lord. Prophets, apostles, and the Lord Jesus himself all implored people to seek the Lord. In addition to the call to seek the person, YHWH, there is also the call to humility, obedience and righteousness. Humility is an attitude related to position. The attitude of humility includes a will to submit to what is recognized as a higher authority. To obey is to take action according to direction. Anyone can be beaten down to the point of submission, but willing obedience requires agreement with the higher authority. Anyone can join an army, submit to authority, and carry out the commands of their superiors. Leaving no room for loopholes, we are further warned to seek righteousness. The character of who we submit to speaks volumes about our own character. God is holy and righteous. When we willingly submit to His divine authority and we obey His commands, we will be pursuing righteousness because His authority and His will are righteous. A person certainly can humbly submit to and obey an earthly master who is unrighteous. Humble obedience to the Lord only counts when we seek His righteousness rather than our own.

Zephaniah concludes this brief section by suggesting that perhaps a humble servant of the Lord will escape the wrath to come when the Lord’s anger is manifest. This is a hope we can share with regard to the wrath of God that ends the corruption of this world or any more limited wrath God doles out for more specific evils.

Article submitted Thursday, July 21, 2011 & read 235 times.

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» left by Teresa (261 days ago.)

Amen, Very well said. God is gracious in that He gives all us warning signs and words of instruction so that if we refuse, there is no excuse. Thank you for your continued faithfulness. Blessings to you! T

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