Monday, September 12, 2016

Year 6, Day 255: Zephaniah 1

Theological Commentary: Click Here


Discipleship Focus: Identity

  • Identity: Our true identity comes from the Father.  Only when our identity comes from God can we be obedient in ways that satisfy our person to our core.

Zephaniah is a book that starts in a very foreboding manner.  Almost the entire first chapter is a warning of judgment.  The judgment that is predicted is incredibly harsh.  When you read through these words, there is little reason to hope and even less avenue to look for a way to escape.

The identity of God is righteousness.  The identity of His people is not rooted in righteousness.  This is why judgment is coming.  God’s own people have an identity that is not only not coming from God, it is utterly incongruous with God.  Because of this, great judgment will come upon the people.

How do we know that it truly is their identity that has God upset with them?  We know that they have sinned against the Lord.  Zephaniah 1:17 tells us as much.  But look at the specifics that Zephaniah 1:18 gives to us.  Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them.  The fire that comes from the Lord is a fire of jealousy.  The Lord is a jealous God.  When our identity comes from things other than Him, we invoke His wrath.

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