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"Who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit"

Text: Zephaniah 1:9

THOSE IN JUDAH WHO DESERVE TO BE PUNISHED

The list grows longer as we read Zephaniah further. It would be good to review what the Lord said about judgment. It would fall on the following:

1. The idolatrous priests (Zephaniah 1:4)

2. The pagan priests (Zephaniah 1:4)

3. Those who worship the heavenly hosts (Zephaniah 1:5)

4. Those who swear falsely (Zephaniah 1:5)

5. Those who have not sought the Lord (Zephaniah 1:6)

6. Those who have not inquired of Him (Zephaniah 1:6)

7. The princes will not escape Divine punishment (Zephaniah 1:7)

THE FOREIGNERS WHO INFLUENCE JUDAH TO SIN SO BADLY

The Lord also warned the foreigner who had influenced Judah to be enamoured of idolatrous practices.

“In the same day I will punish
All those who leap over the threshold,
Who fill their masters’ houses with
violence and deceit.”
Zephaniah 1:9

1. “In the same day I will punish”

a) This is a reference to divine punishment.

b) The Lord had already declared that He would punish Judah.

c) In this text, He declared that He would also punish those who lead others to sin.

2. “All those who leap over the threshold”

a) This was a practice alien to the true worship of God.

b) Leaping over the threshold:

i) It is a reference to the house of worship of idols.

ii) In 1 Samuel 5:5 the word threshold was used to describe the temple of Dagon.

iii) The pagan priests had taught the Aaronic priests how they should enter the house of God.

iv) They must leap over the threshold to portray boldness.

v) In the worship of the Lord, the opposite is taught.

The priests were taught to be humble and respectful when serving in the temple.

3. Those who promoted violence and deceit

The wicked foreigners had brought into Judah the ideas of using violence and deceit to obtain “success!”