Zephaniah a Prophet for Today
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
The prophet Zephaniah foretold a time when the day of the Lord would bring great judgment on the sins of the world. His prophecy speaks of the destruction of life on earth and is especially pointed at false religions. Our time parallels the time of Zephaniah. He mentions the fertility cults of Baal. The perverse sexuality of our world is nothing more than the worship of Baal. The prophet condemns those who worship the “hosts of heaven.” Astrology and reliance on zodiac predictions were rampant in ancient cultures, and are just as rampant today.
Zephaniah decries the worship of Milcom who is also called Molech and Chemosh. The worship of Milcom included the sacrifice of children. God spoke to Israel in Leviticus 18:21, “And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. (NKJV).”
Milcom is often associated with the Greek god Cronus, whose Roman name is Saturn. Cronus/Saturn, fearing one of his children would overthrow him, swallowed them at birth. Milcom, under several names and guises, has long been a destroyer of children. Abortion is, in reality, sacrifice to Molech.
The purpose of God’s judgment is always to eradicate sin and to bring forth His mercy. Zephaniah chapter 3 is an anthem to the restorative mercy of our God. Zephaniah 3:9:"For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him with one accord. (NKJV)”
Zephaniah 3:12 “I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD. (NKJV)"
Zephaniah 3:17: “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (NKJV)"
What a delight to know that even in the midst of perverse and troubled times, the Lord our God is in our midst. He saves His people. He comes against those who come against us. He rejoices over us and quiets us with His love. He rejoices over us with singing.
When I was a small child, my daddy often held me in his arms and sang over me, and I was quieted in my spirit. I can so easily picture my heavenly Father doing the same thing, and I am, likewise, quieted in my spirit.
In ancient times, God gave His people plenty of time to repent before judgment came. He has done the same in modern times. In spite of the seasons of judgment, those, who are faithful, experience deliverance, forgiveness, joy and peace in the most difficult of times.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! What a message for today!
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