Bible reading & studying in one year 12/26/2021 the book of Zephaniah 1-3
By
Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce
Christian Arts Ministries:
Biblical precepts& Gospel music/ pastoral ministry & counseling
The Prophet
and His times Zephaniah, of noble birth
(1:1) apparently helped prepare Judah for the revival that took place under
good King Josiah in 621 B.C. (2 Chron.34:3). For more than half a century times
had been evil under kings Manasseh and Amon. And Zephaniah called his people to
repentance Reform came, but after Josiah, the leaders and many of the people
reverted to their old ways.
The
theme of the book of Zephaniah - Judgment is the central theme of Zephaniah’s
message. The immediate fulfillment occurred when Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar,
captured Judah. The Ultimate fulfillment will yet occur in the Day the Lord,
during the coming Tribulation years. Zephaniah also predicted the doom of
heathen nations, both immediately (As Nineveh, which fell in 612; see2:13) and
in the future (3:8). The book closes with a glorious description of the future
Millennium (also an aspect of the day of the Lord.)
The prophecies of Blessing: Future blessings for gentiles
Zephaniah 3:9-10
Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of
them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder. From
beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me
offerings.( Zephaniah 3:9-10)
Future Blessings for Jews (Zephaniah 3:11-20)
On that day you will not be put to shame for all the
wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from this city
those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy
hill. But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of
the Lord. The remnant of
Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in
their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.(vv.11-13)
Sing,
O daughter of Zion, shout aloud. O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your
heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The
Lord has taken away your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The Lord,
the King of Israel is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not
fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hand limp. The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love, he will
rejoice over you with singing.” (vv.
14-17)
“The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from
you; they are a burden and a reproach to you. At that time I will deal with all
who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been
scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put
to shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I
will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I
restore your fortunes before your very eyes.” says the Lord. (vv.18-20)
In
chapter 3:9-20 Zephaniah describes the millennial age and some of its
blessings; pure worship)v.9) this is apparently the meaning of purity the lips,
in contrast to the blasphemy of idolatrous worship; the Jewish nation
regathered and purified (vv.10-13); Christ personally reigning with them (v.15);
Security (v.16); enemies punished (v.19); and Israel restored to her land
(v.20).
Bibliography,
Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago,
IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.
Bible
reading & studying in one year 12/26/2021 the book of Haggai1-2
The
prophet Haggai whose name means “my feast”
was the first prophetic voice to be heard after the Babylonian Exile. He was a
contemporary of Zechariah (and of Confucius) and his ministry was to call the
people to finish the Temple, whose completion had been delayed for fifteen
years. These prophecies were given between August and December520 B.C. and the
temple was completed four years later. Haggai likely returned to Jerusalem from
Babylon with Zerubbabel. The book is addressed to all the people (1:13;2:2), to
encourage them to rebuild the Temple. But it is also particularly addressed to
Zerubbabel the governor, and to Joshua the high priest.(1:1;2:2,21) The book
contains four appeals, each introduced by the Word of the Lord came.
A call to courage
in the Lord- Haggai: 2:1-9
“But
now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of
Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,
declared the Lord, and work. For I am with you. Declares the Lord Almighty. This is what I covenanted with you when you
came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear. (Haggai2:4-5)
This is what the
Lord Almighty says, “In a little while I will
once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will
shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory says the Lord Almighty. The
silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory
of the former house.” says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will grant
peace” declares the Lord Almighty. (vv.6-9)
The scope of these words points to a yet
future fulfillment at the time of the second coming of Christ. The well-known
translation “the desire of all nations” makes this a reference to Messiah and
is in accord with Jewish tradition. However, many feel that the phrase is more
properly translated “the wealth of all nations,” referring to the offerings the
nations will bring to the millennial Temple. This present house (v.9). This
may refer to Zerubbabel’s Temple (and its successor Temple built by Herod) and
to the peace made by Christ on the cross at His first coming, or it may refer
to the millennial Temple (Ezek.40-48) and the world peace He will bring at His
second coming.
A call to confidence in the future 2:20-30
“The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time
on the twenty-fourth day of the month: “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that
I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and
shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their
drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
“On that day”, declares the Lord Almighty, “ I will take you, my servant
Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and I will make you like my
signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord Almighty.”
The prophecy looks ahead to the time
when Christ will rule the nations of the world. In Haggai’s time Persia ruled
more than two million square miles of territory. Signet ring. An indication of the honor God gave to Zerubbabel, who
perhaps because of this and the suspicion it created in the minds of the
Persian rulers, shortly afterward disappeared from the scene.
Bibliography,
Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago,
IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.
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