Bible Study - Fear (6) - Joy in Place of Fear - Zephaniah 3:9-20 - January 8, 2023

 

Bible Study – Fear (6) – Joy in Place of Fear – January 8, 2023

This lesson six (6) in our series entitled, “Putting Fear in Its Place.”

Our focus scripture is Zephaniah 3:9-20.

Fear will be a thing of the past in GOD’S eternal kingdom.

GOD’S grand plan for HIS Kingdom unfolds through the prophet, Zephaniah. It is still coming to fruition even now. Perfection takes time.

GOD’S eternal plan to put fear into its place is hope in JESUS.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Zephaniah 3:9-13:

For I will then restore
pure speech to the peoples
so that all of them may call
on the name of the Lord
and serve him with a single purpose.^[f]

As you recall all the people of the known world spoke the same language until they decided to build the Tower of Babel and GOD gave them various languages. Now, through the Prophet Zephaniah GOD was saying that HE would restore pure speech to the peoples. Why?

“So that all of them may call
on the name of the Lord
and serve him with a single purpose.^”

 

What is that “single purpose?” JESUS CHRIST crucified and HIS shed blood paid in full for the sins of all who place their faith in HIM!

 

This is GOD’S redemptive plan for all people. The Good News is GOD’S plan is for all to be redeemed by the shed blood of JESUS and eternally sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The resurrection of JESUS from the physically dead is every Spirit-born person’s guarantee of eternal life through faith in JESUS. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:20:

Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours

²⁰ But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

The Prophet Zephaniah wrote what GOD was revealing to him about 640-630 BC. It is a foreshadow of the coming of GOD’S promised Messiah, JESUS. 

 

GOD led Zephaniah to write about the far-reaching impact of the eternal ministry of JESUS. The statement “from beyond the rivers of Cush was the limit of the known area of land at that time but we know differently today that there are no boundaries to GOD and the true gospel of JESUS. GOD was inviting all people to come to HIM –

 

-         GOD will forgive all who come to HIM in repentance as expressed by an offering

-         Notice what follows when a person takes the first step toward GOD through faith --

 

¹⁰ From beyond the rivers of Cush
my supplicants, my dispersed people,
will bring an offering to me.
¹¹ On that day you^[g] will not be put to shame
because of everything you have done
in rebelling against me.
For then I will remove
from among you your jubilant, arrogant people,
and you will never again be haughty
on my holy mountain.
¹² I will leave
a meek and humble people among you,
and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.
¹³ The remnant of Israel will no longer
do wrong or tell lies;

a deceitful tongue will not be found
in their mouths.
They will pasture and lie down,
with nothing to make them afraid.

 

A new day is coming but it will come in a timely and orderly manner. It cannot be rushed or crushed because certain things will be in place before each step and the next step(s) are taken.

 

All people who place their faith in JESUS can rest in the safety and security in GOD’S vineyard, earth, until GOD makes a new Heaven and earth.

 

Let’s read Zephaniah 3:14-17:

¹⁴ Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
shout loudly, Israel!

 

Zion is a reference to Jerusalem and Jerusalem resides in Israel.

When Jerusalem is secure so is the state.

 

What is GOD’S message? Jerusalem was the focal point for all people because it was the city of GOD. It was where the temple was located and there was where the people had to go to receive forgiveness for their sins. This will change in the future after the life, death, resurrection and ascension of JESUS. Then all people in any area can be cleansed by the shed blood of the true Lamb of GOD, JESUS.

 

This highlights the need for JESUS to be preached in every city, town throughout the world for that area to be able to be glad and celebrate ---

 
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!

Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter city or area where JESUS is uplifted and Glorified. JESUS is the hope and security of any city or area. WHY?

¹⁵ The Lord has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
¹⁶ On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.

 

What is a person’s punishment? Eternal death!

 

How has GOD turned back your enemy of death? HE sent HIS only SON, JESUS to earth to live HIS human life, being subject to sin but remaining sinless. Why? Because JESUS is and will always be the only acceptable sacrifice of sin.

 

Do not fear or look for any other solution to the eternal solution for sin other than JESUS. JESUS is GOD’S alpha and omega.

 

Why?

¹⁷ The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet^[h] in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”

 

When a person has asked JESUS to come into his or her heart that person is filled with the Holy Spirit and should live as The Holy Spirit directs. Our hearts will be filled with gladness, love and singing. This will come from the security of GOD/JESUS being our warrior therefore HE is our defender.

 

JESUS is a Spirit-born person’s defender in the court of Heaven. Why?  When a Spirit-born person does something wrong Satan stands ready to accuse that person before GOD of being unworthy of redemption. The shed blood of JESUS makes those who are Spirit-born eternally worthy.  

 

We must trust GOD in all matters. First of all, ground zero is within the circle of our being, then radiates out to ever widening and increasing circles. Why? Because Spirit-born people bring hope and the message of salvation to those who are wandering in Spiritual darkness.

 

Do you think our world, for the most part, is wandering in Spiritual darkness? Certainly, and we who know the truth and the only true light that shines in this world of darkness. If we hide the message of JESUS under a bushel, shame upon us. GOD’S promise is that HE will renew all who receive JESUS as their Savior and seal all with the Holy Spirit.

 

How can this be since Zephaniah wrote this so long ago? It is not Zephaniah’s word. It is GOD’S revelation and the path that HE will follow according to HIS redemptive plan, through HIS only SON, JESUS, The Savior of the world. We who have been redeemed have GOD’S message within us for the purpose to share with those who are lost in sin and eternal death.

 

Let’s read Zephaniah 3:18-20:

¹⁸ I will gather those who have been driven
from the appointed festivals;
they will be a tribute from you^[i]
and a reproach on her.^[j]

There will be a great awaking among all people, even those driven from worshipping GOD and JESUS for various reasons.

 

¹⁹ Yes, at that time
I will deal with all who oppress you.
I will save the lame and gather the outcasts;
I will make those who were disgraced
throughout the earth
receive praise and fame.

 

Those who previously oppressed those who sought truth but were considered unacceptable for a variety of reasons, eyes will be opened to the truth of the Gospel of JESUS. GOD’S redemptive message is that all are welcome to come into HIS House with praise and thanksgiving because JESUS has paid in full the price for all sin. Just accept, by faith, what JESUS has done for all by the shedding of HIS precious blood. It is vital that what JESUS has done is accepted by each person. What a person has accomplish according to the eyes of the world is of no value because JESUS has paid the price for all sin but each person must accept it through faith.

²⁰ At that time I will bring you^[k] back,
yes, at the time I will gather you.
I will give you fame and praise
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes before your eyes.
The Lord has spoken.

 

What is the greatest fortune GOD can restore to any human? Sin resulted in all humans losing his or her eternal life. JESUS’ life, death by the shedding of HIS sinless blood, burial to show that JESUS was physically dead, GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to eternal life. This is GOD’s and JESUS’ promise to all who place their faith and trust in this free gift. The key is that each person must accept it to receive eternal life through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

 

The greatest gift from our loving and caring GOD and Savior, JESUS, is to accept JESUS as our Savior by asking JESUS to come into our hearts and forgive us for our sins. GOD’S fortune is immediately restored with the gift of the abiding Holy Spirit, WHO seals all who are Spirit-born until the day of redemption.

 

WHO affirms this? So many years ago, through the Prophet Zephaniah – “The LORD has spoken!”

 

Blessings!!!