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Daily Devotions

Zephaniah

Zephaniah 
Day 
Day 7

"In the day of the LORD's sacrifice"

Text: Zephaniah 1:8

THE “SACRIFICE” IMAGERY

The imagery of “sacrifice” was used strongly by Zephaniah. Our challenge is to attempt to understand the meaning and significance of the word.

“For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
He has invited His guests.
And it shall be,
In the day of the LORD’s sacrifice,
That I will punish the princes and the king’s children,
And all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.”
Zephaniah 1:7-8

1. A seeming love for “sacrifice”

a) Idolatrous worship was huge when it comes to the matter of “sacrifice”.
b) The idolatrous priests demanded sacrifice upon sacrifice.
c) The ignorant worshippers offered no resistance.
d) They believed that the more they sacrificed the more they would be blessed.

2. A reversal of practice

a) The Lord Himself would prepare a sacrifice.
b) He who ought to be the focus of worship is now the One who would initiate sacrifice and worship.
c) Did it occur to the worshippers that this word sounded “strange?”
d) But their spirituality was so shallow the meaning and significance of this word was virtually lost on them.

3. What is the significance of offering sacrifice in worship?

a) It is to call upon the Lord.
b) It is to ask for His favour and blessing.
c) It is to express faithfulness to the Lord when worship is offered.

4. The Lord’s meaning was startlingly different

a) Instead of blessing there will be “punishment”.
b) Instead of receiving favour from the Lord, judgment would be issued.

5. Some people highlighted

a) The princes (those conferred with this title).
b) Those who were the children of the king (princes by birth right).
c) Those who wore foreign apparel to highlight the effects of foreign idolatrous influences.