5 Lessons From the Life of Zephaniah

Zephaniah was one of the prophets in the Old Testament. He wrote his book during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. Prophet Zephaniah began addressing one of Israel's greatest challenge which was Idolatry as seen in Zephaniah 1:5 - "...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" and we will be taking a magnifying looking at this soon.

This prophet wrote about God’s judgment, the futility of Idolatry, pride leads to destruction, the consequences of disobedience, joy and restoration, judgment and repentance, seeking God urgently, the Power of God’s Word and a host of others. Let's see five lessons from both the life of Zephaniah and his book.

1. The Surety of God’s Judgment

I know many do not like to hear the word ‘Judgment’, but God’s judgment is enviable. The first chapter of Zephaniah’s book tells us about God’s judgment and the certainty of the same. The declaration by the prophet at verse two of chapter one proves this. Zephaniah 1:2 “...I will utterly consume and sweep away all things from the face of the earth” (Amplified Version). It shows that God’s righteous judgment and justice are inevitable because God is in control of all things. Understanding this truth about God’s judgment will help us live right and do righteously.

2. The Futility of Idolatry

Today, we also face this same temptation of idolatry on a daily basis. We get enticed and seduced by the good things of life we desire that we forget about God and become so engrossed in our affairs and our hearts drift towards these things thereby giving these things the first and and foremost place in our lives. This in itself is idolatry and God frowns at and judges this. We have to be intentional in involving God in all we do daily. He is a very present Father who is very interested in all we do and desire. See what the verse 1 of Romans chapter 12 says - "...take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life and place it before God as an offering..." (Message Bible)
Scripture says "Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god..." There is no joy or gain in going after other gods.
We must see God as our only source, hope and option, this way He occupies our foremost thoughts. Matthew 6:33 comes ro mind here, "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will you begin to you besides." (AMPLIFIED Version)

3. The Destruction of Pride

The Lord promised to take away the proud from the midst of His people.
Zeph.3.11 - "In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain".
Pride is deceptive and destructive. When a person is pride-blinded, such a person won't see the ditch ahead and fall in at his or her own detriment just as this Scriptural verse puts it in Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride draws us farther from God while humility draws us close to His.

4. The Consequences of Disobedience.

The consequences of disobedience are always grievous especially relating to God. Our Father would rather prefer we obey Him foolishly and blindly than disobey Him justly and wisely. Obedience is sin little wonder Scripture says in 1 Samuel.15:22 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
As a matter of fact, we show our love for God whenever we obey Him in faith and in love. A people that won't obey God will face dire consequences in the case of King Saul in 1 Samuel chapter 15.

5. Joy and Restoration

With genuine repentance rooted in holiness comes joy and restoration. We see in Zephaniah 3:14-20 the promise of joy, gladness, tranquility, and restoration of dignity that follows a life of holiness and Godly repentance by God's people.
There's a certain way our Father wants us to live which affords for us the kind of life He has prepared for us BUT our iniquity is the bridging gap.
Godliness brings contentment and joy. Seek to be full of joy by committing to a life of holiness by the Spirit of the Father who helps us in our weakness.
I see Grace being multiplied unto you in Jesus name. Amen.

Shalom!