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"I have cut off nations"

Text: Zephaniah 3:6

POWERFUL LESSONS

Judah had learned many lessons first hand. The nation saw how God had especially protected the people. They also saw how other nations had been destroyed by God.

“I have cut off nations,
Their fortresses are devastated;
I have made their streets desolate,
With none passing by.
Their cities are destroyed;
There is no one, no inhabitant.
I said, ‘Surely, you will fear Me,
You will receive instruction’-
So that her dwelling would not be cut off,
Despite everything for which I punished her.
But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.”
Zephaniah 3:6-7

1. Other nations

a) They were cut off (destroyed).

b) Fortresses devastated.

c) Cities were made desolate.

d) They became uninhabited (e.g. Assyria, Moab, Ammon etc.).

2. God’s hope for Judah

a) That they would fear God.

b) That they would receive instruction from His prophets.

3. If the nation had responded appropriately

a) Judah would not be cut off as other nations.

b) The nation was chastised by the Lord though not as severely.

c) But the punishment experienced did not produce the desired results:

i) There was no repentance.

ii) There were no significant changes.

iii) The people did not draw near to God.

iv) They did not seek God in any meaningful way.

4. “But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds”

a) They continued with all their corrupt deeds.

b) They pursued corrupt deeds the moment they awoke each day.

c) The nation of Judah could only await the consequences of their evil actions.