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"Gather yourselves together"

Text: Zephaniah 2:1

AN URGENT CALL FROM THE LORD

The prophet Zephaniah had preached a powerful and somber word of warning about impending judgment from the Lord. Yet, there was still a window of hope and opportunity to return to the Lord. In the Lord’s grace and mercy, He gave them this word.

“Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,
O undesirable nation,
Before the decree is issued,
Or the day passes like chaff,
Before the LORD’S fierce anger comes upon you,
Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you!”
Zephaniah 2:1-2

1. “Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together”

a) This was like the stillness before the storm breaks.

b) Gathering together:

i) For the purpose of calling for a solemn fast of repentance.

ii) For the purpose of seeking the Lord’s face.

iii) For the purpose of confessing of sins, transgressions and iniquities.

iv) For a time of needed intercession.

2. “O undesirable nation”

a) This was a candid word from the Lord.

b) The nation was anything but desirable at this juncture of their checkered history.

c) There was nothing desirable to be found in the nation (Psalm 14)

3. “Before the decree is issued”

a) The message from the prophet Zephaniah was like a word of warning

b) The Divine decree had still not been (officially) issued.

c) This was the window of opportunity and hope for the nation to repent and return to God.

4. “Before the LORD’S fierce anger comes upon you”

a) This statement was declared twice.

b) In the second statement, the adjective “fierce” was left out.

c) But the reality of the anger of the Lord is not determined by an adjective.

Thus, the meaning is the same!

5. “The day passes like chaff”

When the day of Lord becomes an official issue, it would be like people winnowing the kernel from the chaff!