Zephaniah 1:4 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;

Zephaniah says clearly God will surely destroy Judah, and Jerusalem in particular because of the Idolatry and evil wickedness. God did this once before with Sodom and Gomorrah. We can be cut off just as they were if we are not following God faithfully and His word

 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;

The host of heaven = This refers to angels. “Heavenly Host”= Angel Armies whom Archangel Michael is the Commander. Baal= is the name given to several different deities who are designated as false gods or idols. However, it is most often used to describe the specific Canaanite-Phoenician god of fertility and rain. Additionally, Baal is associated with Beezlebub, demons, and the devil.  These people were worshipping Baal, and Molech and Jehovah.  We cannot serve two Matsers for you will love one, and hate the other. Amen!

“Malcham” was a reference to “Molech” who was the god of pleasure. Some of us today still worship that god of pleasure. These people of whom Zephaniah referred are those who mixed their worship of “Jehovah” and the worship of “Molech” together. The Israelites still did not see the problem with it. That is why judgement will come in like a mighty flood and overwhelm you.  Occult worship.

Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

This verse refers to Satan and the 1/3 of the angels that were casted down to earth. When these fallen angels came out of the hands of God, they were no longer holy beings. Now God loves them no more; they are doomed to endless pit of destruction forever. You don’t want that do you!

We seem in life to be confused with who we should serve. As the Israelites had issues we to have our issues. They wanted to serve many gods just as some of their ancestor did. And a wicked king allowed it. Then Josiah, a good king came in and cast it out of the temples Idolatry. Service to God means absolutely no other service to any other gods’.  No Idolatry will be tolerated!

Zephaniah 1:6 And them that are turned back from the LORD; And those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.

Not only were the people guilty of forsaking “Jehovah”, but the priests who were leading the people were apostate as well. We must have sound doctrine coming from our pulpits. Our GOD does not like wavering and waffling believers.

Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

This verse shows us that if we follow the Lord diligently and fear him we will have the protection of heavenly angels that can deliver us from any problem. When  David wrote this Psalm he praises God for his goodness to himself and encourages the righteous to trust in him.

Zephaniah 1:7 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.

Hold thy peace – God is our Judge in the Day of the LORD

When we go to court, we are to be silent within the court so all parties can hear clearly all evidence pertaining to the case at hand. This is so the Judge can render a proper decision on the case. Similar to our judgement day with our LORD we will be silent.

All this shall be fulfilled in the Day of Judgment, or shall we say the Day of the LORD, and all other fulfillments are earnests proof of that final Judgment Day. They are witnesses of the ever-living presence of the Judge of all, that is God. God does take an account of all man’s deeds. They speak to men’s conscience, they attest the existence of a Divine law and power, and there with the future complete manifestation of that law. This divine law of God is without error and will be the rules by which we/they are individual sentences. On this day, the Day of the LORD, Jesus will destroy all His enemies and give incredible blessings to all who follow Him.

What does all this mean for us?

As believers in Jesus, remember that God does not take sin lightly…it will be punished, and it will be judged appropriately. Whether living in open sin, putting on our false fronts, or looking the part, but not living it out. It will be known and found out!

Zephaniah is reminding us just how seriously God takes our life and our relationship with Him. And if we fail, remember Zephaniah’s message of hope – our God reigns and He will always rescue His own. There will be deliverance and salvation if we accept it and repent and confess before it is too late.

Our LORD and GOD is Mighty to Save!

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

As we learn who our LORD is though his written word, we can experience his love more and more. We will understand that he is in the midst of the church and all it does. Causing those to repent and confess their sin through his power and might he can break the hardest of hearts. We will understand that he is mighty to save anyone willing to come to him.

He has loved his creation from the beginning and is overjoyed when we follow obediently his ways and teachings. We as thankful followers and believers should give him honor praise and glory that is due to him. We could never repay him for what he does daily in our lives.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.