Reading to The End
I have been reading, cover to cover so to speak, the old testament for some years. I read it in Hebrew as I learn the language on my own. I am on page 1977 of 2010 pages in this half of the bible. I used to read what might be called a paragraph per day. Now I am reading a chapter per day besides my Hebrew blog that I do once per week. Today I ran into something that is pertinent to the news.
God's Plan or His Response?
My heart goes out to the people of Gaza and the destruction that has fallen upon her. There are clearly two sides to the fight and the entire world is either pulling for one side or the other. One side pulls for their 'team' and completely dismisses the opposition. The other side does the same thing. But what if the destruction and killing was all prescribed thousands of years ago?
This blog is where I write about things that happen according to God's plan. But today I will be talking about something he said would happen, but God plainly states the reason why it is happening and that he himself is doing it. Arll of this is happening as a response to something "the people of the seacoast" have done. I am not talking about the raid, kidnapping, or hostages. The problem is Pride, at its core.
I just read Zephaniah chapter two. It starts out like this...
Gather together, yes, gather,
O shameless nation,
2 before the decree takes effect[a]
—before the day passes away like chaff—
before there comes upon you
the burning anger of the Lord,
So, who is he referring to? Before we find out who the shameless nation is, God tells the humble people to seek Him. He is referring to those who do his commands and advises them to seek righteousness, humility so that they may be hidden on the day of his anger. Then we see who he is talking about.
4 For Gaza shall be deserted
He talks about the people of the seacoast and the land of the Philistines (Pelishteem in Hebrew). I think we have found out who is being warned about God's anger. He says that his word is against them "And I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left."
God states that the seacoast will be pastures with meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks in the end. That sounds peaceful after seventy plus years of hatred and wars.
7 The seacoast shall become the possession
of the remnant of the house of Judah,
on which they shall graze,
and in the houses of Ashkelon
they shall lie down at evening.
For the Lord their God will be mindful of them
and restore their fortunes.
This would have happened even if Hamas, a Hebrew word that means "violence", had not come and taken hostages. Whatever that was, it is not the cause.
8 “I have heard the taunts of Moab
and the revilings of the Ammonites,
how they have taunted my people
and made boasts against their territory.
9 Therefore, as I live,” declares the Lord of hosts,
the God of Israel,
“Moab shall become like Sodom,
and the Ammonites like Gomorrah,
a land possessed by nettles and salt pits,
and a waste forever.
None of this is my opinion. This is God speaking. He hates pride and arrogance. He said near the beginning of this chapter that those who do his commandments, who are humble, should seek him so that they may be hidden on the day of his anger.
10 This shall be their lot in return for their pride,
because they taunted and boasted
against the people of the Lord of hosts.
We see "pride" mentioned above. Have you ever been in an argument or heated debate and realized that the other side has some good points but you feel that pride welling up inside that will not let you give up? Pride is something that God hates.
Then we see who is destroying these places covered above...
12 You also, O Cushites,
shall be slain by my sword*.
The word "also" tells us that Gaza was destroyed by God's sword and the reason that it happened was pride. They had taunted His people.
The passage also covers utter destruction in Syria and Nineveh that will turn into homes for wildlife only and, of course, God tells us what they had done to deserve such a fate.
15 This is the exultant city
that lived securely,
that said in her heart,
“I am, and there is no one else.”
Dangerous words. There is one "I Am" and nobody should try to pretend to be Him! It always turns out badly for those who try.
You can try to label me as for this side or against that side. You would be wrong. I pray for both sides. All I am doing here is letting you know what I found in the writings from a couple thousand years ago. God states that he did not plan to do this until they went too far. He has done similar things to the Jews when they stray, think exile to Babylon or 400 years of slavery in Egypt for example.
If this has sparked any emotional difficulty for you, I encourage you to read Zephaniah for yourself and take your compliant to the one whose word I am presenting here. He listens. His son is also returning very soon.
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