Our Lord, in Matthew 5, advised us New Testament believers that even the smallest punctuation mark of the complete law (“nomos”) of God would be fulfilled. He in fact warned us not to think otherwise. Sounds like He understood beforehand what even would be preached and taught in most churches.<\/p>\n
That same word “nomos” was employed by Rabbi Paul in 1 Cor 14:28 in reference to Isaiah 28, so wisdom would have us not assume Jesus was only limiting fulfillment to the Mosaic law. Our Lord was telling us the entire word of God is considered by God Himself as being our law.<\/p>\n
That said, reading Zephaniah 3 would invite us to consider whether or not that part of the “nomos” has yet to be fulfilled. Hint: it hasn’t yet been fulfilled, so stay tuned.<\/p>\n
Regardless as to what any one of us may have been taught about happy-God always being happy, the reality is that He indeed loves His people, and yet He continues to deal strongly with an increasingly rebellious world. So this entire planet (Jerusalem being central and primary, but not exclusive in regards to accountability) will experience the fullness of God’s plans – to accomplish His purpose and to be doing whatever is necessary to get mankind’s attention, in hopes of turning many to Him. He is not willing that any should perish. Any. He wants all men to be saved.<\/p>\n
The NT plan is revealed in the OT verses that are not yet fulfilled. That includes surely they will fear Him (v7).<\/p>\n
And now Zephaniah 3. There’s glorious and amazing promises of comfort and joy and restoration and rejoicing, and yet there’s a plan and process through which those components will later be manifested. BTW – the restoration of one pure language confirms the international, global nature of these prophetic words. He is gathering the nations for His purposes, and to see His power.<\/p>\n
Our God ain’t just talking Israel here. The glory of His plan is indeed to His people, Jew and Gentile believer alike.<\/p>\n
Fact: The God of the whole earth is dealing with the whole earth.<\/p>\n
Zephaniah 3<\/p>\n
1 Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, To the oppressing city!
\n2 She has not obeyed His voice,
\nShe has not received correction;
\nShe has not trusted in the Lord,
\nShe has not drawn near to her God.
\n3 Her princes in her midst are roaring lions;
\nHer judges are evening wolves
\nThat leave not a bone till morning.
\n4 Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people;
\nHer priests have polluted the sanctuary,
\nThey have done violence to the law.
\n5 The Lord is righteous in her midst,
\nHe will do no unrighteousness.
\nEvery morning He brings His justice to light;
\nHe never fails,
\nBut the unjust knows no shame.
\n6 \u201cI have cut off nations,
\nTheir fortresses are devastated;
\nI have made their streets desolate,
\nWith none passing by.
\nTheir cities are destroyed;
\nThere is no one, no inhabitant.
\n7 I said, \u2018Surely you will fear Me,
\nYou will receive instruction\u2019\u2014
\nSo that her dwelling would not be cut off,
\nDespite everything for which I punished her.
\nBut they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.<\/p>\n
8 \u201cTherefore wait for Me,\u201d says the Lord,
\n\u201cUntil the day I rise up for plunder;
\nMy determination is to gather the nations
\nTo My assembly of kingdoms,
\nTo pour on them My indignation,
\nAll My fierce anger;
\nAll the earth shall be devoured
\nWith the fire of My jealousy.
\n9 \u201cFor then I will restore to the peoples a pure language,
\nThat they all may call on the name of the Lord,
\nTo serve Him with one accord.
\n10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
\nMy worshipers,
\nThe daughter of My dispersed ones,
\nShall bring My offering.
\n11 In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds
\nIn which you transgress against Me;
\nFor then I will take away from your midst
\nThose who rejoice in your pride,
\nAnd you shall no longer be haughty
\nIn My holy mountain.
\n12 I will leave in your midst
\nA meek and humble people,
\nAnd they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
\n13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness
\nAnd speak no lies,
\nNor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;
\nFor they shall feed their flocks and lie down,
\nAnd no one shall make them afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion!
\nShout, O Israel!
\nBe glad and rejoice with all your heart,
\nO daughter of Jerusalem!
\n15 The Lord has taken away your judgments,
\nHe has cast out your enemy.
\nThe King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
\nYou shall see disaster no more.
\n16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
\n\u201cDo not fear;
\nZion, let not your hands be weak.
\n17 The Lord your God in your midst,
\nThe Mighty One, will save;
\nHe will rejoice over you with gladness,
\nHe will quiet you with His love,
\nHe will rejoice over you with singing.\u201d
\n18 \u201cI will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly,
\nWho are among you,
\nTo whom its reproach is a burden.
\n19 Behold, at that time
\nI will deal with all who afflict you;
\nI will save the lame,
\nAnd gather those who were driven out;
\nI will appoint them for praise and fame
\nIn every land where they were put to shame.
\n20 At that time I will bring you back,
\nEven at the time I gather you;
\nFor I will give you fame and praise
\nAmong all the peoples of the earth,
\nWhen I return your captives before your eyes,\u201d
\nSays the Lord.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our Lord, in Matthew 5, advised us New Testament believers that even the smallest punctuation mark of the complete law (“nomos”) of God would be fulfilled. He in fact warned us not to think otherwise. Sounds like He understood beforehand … Continue reading