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Daily Devotions

Zephaniah

Zephaniah 
Day 
Day 10

"The merchant people are cut down"

Text: Zephaniah 1:11

A RELEVANT CONCERN

Zephaniah’s word was significant in his days. But the relevance of his word of warning about the judgment of God continues to be relevant today. He addressed problems that are ours today. Not only did idolatry replace the true faith of Judah, the focus on business took up so much time that faith in God was edged out! This word of warning was directly addressed to the merchants of the nation.

“Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh!
For all the merchant people are cut down;
All those who handle money are cut off.”
Zephaniah 1:11

1. “Inhabitants of Maktesh”

a) The words and phrases
i) Fish Gate
ii) Second Quarter (Misneh… in Hebrew)
iii) Maktesh
b) These are closely related.
c) Together they represent the following:
i) The business community
ii) The merchants (buyers and sellers)
iii) The retailers and customers
d) Two groups of people highlighted:
i) The fish merchants
ii) Those who handle money (Money exchange)

2. When the Day of judgment comes around

a) These would be affected severely.
b) They would wail loudly and bitterly.
c) All their best-laid plans would come to nothing.
d) War and destruction would destroy the infrastructure of the country.
i) Businesses would die.
ii) Merchants would avoid the market place.
iii) Livelihood would be severely affected.
iv) All the prosperity could disappear quickly.

The problem does not lie with having a thriving business but with the folly of setting God aside totally.