THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH - AN END TIMES STORY
Zephaniah, a prophet during the reign of King Josiah, circa 620BC.
Zeph. 1:2-3 Humans and all living things will be destroyed from the Land. The wicked will be brought to their knees. Ezekiel 20:47-48, Jeremiah 30:23-24
Zeph. 1:4-6 Judah will be judged and those who have neither sought the Lord or enquired of Him will be wiped out. Ezekiel 21:3, Isaiah 22:14, Zechariah 13:8-9
Zeph. 1:7 Be silent before the Lord, for the day of vengeance is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice and set apart those He has invited. Isaiah 66:15-16, Malachi 4:1
Zeph. 1:8-11 I shall punish all you leaders and officers on the Day of the Lord’s sacrifice.
Cry and wail, you merchants and dealers, all who fill the Lord’s House with violence and fraud, you will be destroyed. Jeremiah 13:19-27
Zeph. 1:12-13 Those complacent people who say the Lord will do nothing. They will build and plant, but all will be destroyed. Jeremiah 12:4
Zeph. 1:14-18 The Great Day of the Lord’s wrath is near, a Day of destruction and battle cries. Great distress will come on the people who have sinned against the Lord; their blood will pour out on the ground. Their wealth will not save them, for He will make a sudden and terrible end to all who live in the Land. Isaiah 2:12-22, Habakkuk 3:12-14
Zeph. 2:1-2 Humble yourselves, you shameful nation, before the Day arrives, before the burning anger of the Lord comes upon you. James 4:10, 2 Chronicles 7:14
Zeph. 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you who live humbly, obeying His laws. It may be that you will be sheltered on the Day of the Lord’s anger. Isaiah 31:5
Zeph. 2:4-7 Gaza will be deserted, woe to all you Philistines, I shall crush you – your land will belong to the survivors of Judah. Amos 1:6-8, Ezekiel 25:15-17, Obadiah 19-21
Zeph. 2:8-9 I have heard the insults of the Ammonites, those who made threats against My people. Moab and Ammon will become a wasteland for evermore and the remnant of My people who survive will dispossess them. Ezekiel 25:1-11, Jeremiah 9:25-26
Zeph. 2:10-11 Because, they [the Ammonites / Jordanians] have insulted My people and encroached on their Land, I will bring terror upon them. Then the nations of the coasts and islands will worship the Lord. Jeremiah 12:14, Amos 1:13-15, Ezekiel 21:28-32, Jeremiah 49:1-27
Zeph. 2:12 You Cushites [Cush- a son of Ham, the African peoples] will be slain by the Sword of the Lord. Psalm 83
Zeph. 2: 13-15 Assyria destroyed, will become a waste land, all who pass by will scoff at her fate. Isaiah 33:10-12, Nahum 3:18-19
Zeph. 3:1-4 Woe betide that tyrant city, filthy and foul. [Jerusalem] She heeded no warning – refused to trust the Lord. Her leaders were as wolves and lions. Her prophets, treacherous men and her Rabbis do violence to the Law. Ezekiel 14:21-23
Zeph. 3:5 Yet every day, the Lord dispenses justice, but the evildoer knows no shame. Matt. 23:25
Zeph. 3:6 I have wiped out this arrogant people, their cities are abandoned. Jeremiah 13:19
Zeph. 3:7 I said surely they will fear Me and accept correction, that they would escape destruction, but no, they eagerly continued in their evil ways. Isaiah 22:11
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Zeph. 3:8 Therefore, says the Lord, wait for the Day when I accuse you. I will gather nations in order to pour My wrath upon them. The whole earth will know the fire of My jealousy.
Ezekiel 21:2-14, Jeremiah 8:3
Zeph. 3:9 Then I shall restore pure lips to all peoples. So that everyone may call on The Name of the Lord and serve Him with one accord. Hosea 2:14-23, Isaiah 52:6
Zeph. 3:10 My worshippers in distant places will bring their offering to Me. Isaiah 66:23
Zeph. 3:11 On that day, Jerusalem, you will not be shamed because I will have rid you of your proud and arrogant citizens. Jeremiah 13:27
Zeph. 3:12-13 Only a remnant of lowly and humble people will survive. They will be righteous and nothing will make them afraid.
Zeph. 3:14-18 Shout for joy, Israel, your punishment is over, your enemies defeated. Isa 60:10
The Lord is now in your midst, He will show His love for you. Isaiah 41:8-10, Psalm 118
Zeph. 3:19 When that time comes, I will deal with your oppressors. I shall gather you and bring you all home. Ezekiel 34:11-16, Isaiah 65:8-9
Zeph. 3:20 You will have honour and praise among all the peoples when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. It is the Lord who speaks. Jeremiah 33:6-9, 2 Esdras 1:35-40, 2 Esdras 2:12-28
Reference: Revised English Bible. Verses abridged.
Zephaniah’s name means; God has remembered.
Zephaniah says: Be silent before the Lord, for the Day of vengeance is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice and set apart those He has invited. Zephaniah 1:7
THE MID EAST NEWS Your correspondent, Zephaniah Dated: the Near Future.
SHOCKING DISASTER IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MID EAST
Near total loss of life in all the Middle East countries after last Saturdays coronal mass ejection from the sun hit the area. Entire cities are burnt out and destroyed and virtually all the populations killed. Huge fires of towns and forests create a pall of smoke that is spreading around the Northern hemisphere.
Zephaniah 1:12-18, Zephaniah 3:8
ISRAEL, JORDAN, LEBANON, SYRIA, IRAQ AND GAZA
Are practically wiped out. Also extensive damage and loss of life to Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Arabia, and Turkey. In Iran, the damage seems to be confined to certain areas, such as military bases. The President and ruling Council had moved to a command centre, but are now listed as missing.
Zephaniah 2:4-15
ISRAEL SURVIVORS CALL FOR HELP
A ham radio signal coming from Jerusalem, confirms that there are a few thousand survivors there. Zephaniah 2:1-3 But the rest of Israel has been burned and wiped clear of people and vegetation. Zephaniah 1:2-6, Zephaniah 1:8-11, Zephaniah 3:1-8
AMAZING REVIVAL AMONG CHRISTIANS
Millions of Christian people from all around the world have begun to call on Y’hovah, their God, for Him to help and restore them. Zephaniah 3:9. They are travelling to the Middle East to help rebuild and replant the Land. Zephaniah 3:10. Jerusalem is currently populated by about 15,000 Messianic Jews. Zephaniah 3:11-13
NEW ISRAEL RESETTLED
Ships and aircraft continue to transport large numbers of Christian people out of almost every nation, to the new nation of Israel. Young and old, even disabled people, sell their properties and vehicles to travel to the new State being established in the Middle East lands.
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Bruce McKerras March 2011
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Habakkuk the Prophet
Habakkuk 3:1-19 Y’hovah, I know Your fame, I am in awe of what You have done. You make Yourself known and in your wrath You do not forget mercy. God comes from Sinai, His splendour covers the sky and earth. As bright as the dawn, rays of light flash from His hand and thereby His might is veiled. Plague and pestilence go before and after Him. The earth shakes and nations panic. The mountains are broken and flattened. The dwellings of Cushan and Midian [Arabia] are destroyed.
What is the cause of Your anger, O God? You arm Your weapons and the earth and sea shake with fear. The sun and moon stand still. Furiously You traverse the earth, and trample the nations. You come to deliver Your people and save Your anointed one You shatter the house of the wicked, laying bare its foundations. With his own weapon You kill their leaders and warriors, swept away by a whirlwind, as they prepare to attack. I tremble at Your advance, but I long for the Day of calamity to come upon our enemies. Although the fig tree [Judah] has not yet budded and the grape vine [Israel] bears no fruit, the Land does not prosper, even so, I shall exult in the Lord. Y’hovah is my strength, He makes me sure footed and confident. Reference; Revised English Bible. Some verses abridged.
My comments and matching verses:
Chapter three of the Book of Habakkuk, describes how the Lord will act to punish His enemies and protect His people.
Habakkuk 3:14...as they are about to devour their victims. [NIV Bible] This verse is an interesting description of the method and timing of the Lord’s Day of vengeance. “swept away by a whirlwind” and earlier; “rays of light flashing”. This could describe a coronal mass ejection, sunstrike event, which will occur at the exact moment that His enemies prepare to attack, that would cause missiles and nuclear weapons to explode on the launch pad.
Deuteronomy 32:31-35...My reserve of punishment, stored up for My day of vengeance, till the moment that their foot slips, [make a mistake] for their doom is fast approaching.
Note that: “His might is veiled” The Lord will not be seen at this time. Psalm 18:11
“Furiously, You trample the nations” This is the fulfilment of Isaiah 63:1-6,Isaiah 2:12-21, Zechariah 12:13, Zechariah 14:13-15, Malachi 4:1, Hebrews 10:27, Revelation 6:12-17
Punishment, trampling, fierce fire, etc, cannot be the same event as the Return of Jesus
But, this is also the Day of deliverance for His people. We look forward with trepidation to the great day of the Lord’s vengeance and wrath.
Judah [the fig tree] does not yet acknowledge Y’hovah, and Israel [the vine] still must show their true destiny. When this happens, the Land and His people will prosper. Zechariah 8:7
That will be the wonderful Day when the Lord’s righteous people live together in peace and security in New Israel. Ezekiel 39:25-29, Isaiah 11:11-12, Isaiah 40:1-3, Jeremiah 3:14, Micah 2:12, Psalm 68:7-10
Bruce McKerras March 2011
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The Prophet Hosea...... Hosea Means Salvation. Circa 753 – 725BC
Hosea 1:1-5 This is the Lord’s message given by Hosea. Take to yourself an adulterous wife, because the Land is guilty of unfaithfulness to God. Gomer conceived and bore Hosea a son. Call him Jezreel, for soon I will punish Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
[Israel conquered by Assyria in 722BC. 2 Kings 17:5-6]
Hosea 1:6-7 Next, she bore a daughter. Call her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer show love for Israel, but Judah, I will love and save by My power.
[185,000 Assyrian troops were killed when they attacked Judah. 2 Kings 19:35]
Hosea 1:8-10 Next she bore a son. Call him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people and I am not your God. Yet the Israelites will be as countless as the sands of the sea and it will no longer be said of them “You are not My people” for they will be called “Children of the Living God”.
[The Israelites, Judah and Israel, multiply greatly during their exile and when their punishment is over, they will be redeemed and reinstated as His people. Deut. 30:1-14]
Hosea 1:11 & 2:1 The people of Judah and Israel will be reunited, they will choose for themselves a leader. They will spring up from the Land, for great will be the Day of Jezreel. You are to say to your kinsmen, “You are God’s people, you are loved”.
[Al 12 tribes of Israel return to the Promised Land. Jeremiah 30:21, Ezekiel 37:15-28]
Hosea 2:2-13 The punishment of Judah and Israel is by their exile and of the Land, by desolation. Isaiah 40:1-2
Hosea 2:14-15 But now, I shall woo them, I shall lead My people into the wilderness and speak words of encouragement to them. There, I shall restore the Land to them and they will respond to Me, as in the days of their youth, when they came out of Egypt.
[God’s people, righteous Israel, will receive encouragement and directions, for the second Exodus in the same way as ancient Israel did in their Exodus. Isaiah 55:11-13]
Hosea 2:16-20 On that Day, My people will call Me “my Husband”. Never again will they invoke the names of other gods. Then, I shall make a Covenant with Israel, with the wild creatures and all weapons of war will be abolished, so that My people can live without fear. I will betroth you to Me in love, righteousness, loyalty and justice. You will be faithful and you will know the Lord. Ezekiel 16:60
[Y’hovah will make a New Covenant with His people, then they will ‘know the Lord’. All this proves that this takes place before the Return of Jesus. Ezekiel 36:22-38]
Hosea 2:21-23 In that Day, I will respond, says the Lord. The heavens and the earth will answer with produce and fruit. Israel will be My new sowing in the Land, and I will show love for My people. They will say “You are our God”.
[Righteous Israel and Judah, gathered and settled in peace and security into all the Land promised to their forefathers. Isaiah 54:4-6, Ezekiel 38:8 & 39:25-29]
Hosea 3:1-3 Hosea marries Gomer.
Hosea 3:4-5 So the Israelites will live a long time without a king, without sacrifice and the sacred items, but after that, they will again seek Y’hovah and David, their King. They will turn in reverence to Y’hovah and seek His blessings in the latter days.
[The Israelites still in exile, will seek and turn to God, in the ‘latter days’. This is the period leading up to the end of the age. Before the return of Jesus. Daniel 10:14] 178
Hosea 4 & 5 Israel and Judah conquered and sent into exile. Jeremiah 16:12-13
Hosea 6:1-3 Come, let us return to the Lord, He has wounded us, but He will heal us. After two days, He will revive us, on the third day, He will raise us to live in His presence. Let us strive to know the Lord, whose coming is as sure as the sunrise. He will come to us, like the refreshing spring rain.
[“After two days, He will revive us”. Scripture says one day is like a 1000 years to the Lord, so after 2000 years we will be revived, after that, on the next Day we will live in His presence – the Millennium reign of Jesus. Luke 13:32]
Hosea 6:4-11a How shall I deal with you, Israel and Judah? Your loyalty is like the morning mist. Your behaviour is outrageous, therefore My judgement comes upon you. For I require loyalty, not sacrifice – acknowledgement of Y’hovah. Israel has brought defilement upon herself and for you, too, Judah, a harvest of reckoning will come.
[Zechariah 13:8-9]
Hosea 6:11b, 7 & 8:1-13 When I am minded to restore the fortunes of My people and to heal the Israelites, then their guilt will stand revealed. They did not keep faith, their leaders do not call to Me. Israel is like a senseless pigeon, calling for help from the nations. Though I strengthen them, they plot evil against Me. Because they did not trust Me, I shall now round them up, soon they will have to abandon their self reliance.
[Both Israel and Judah will be judged before being resettled into New Israel. Isaiah 59:1-4, Jeremiah 12:14-17, Ezekiel 20:37-38]
Hosea 8:14 Judah and Israel have forgotten their Maker. They have built towns and fortifications, but fire shall devour them.
[The Lord’s judgement of fire will destroy military power and make towns uninhabitable. Zephaniah 3:6, Isaiah 22:3]
Hosea 9:1-9 Do not rejoice Israel, or exult like other peoples, for you have been unfaithful to your God. The Days of punishment and vengeance have come. Let Israel know this. Because of your great guilt and enmity, your prophets are fools, your seers are crazy. They are corrupt and God will punish them for their sins.
[The Israelites, both the Western nations and the Jews, are unfaithful to Y’hovah. Their religious leaders are fools and corrupt, they will be punished. Jeremiah 8:5-12]
Hosea 9:10-11I found Israel, like grapes in the desert.[Israel-the vine] You were like good figs [Judah – the fig tree] But they resorted to idol worship, so their honour will fly away like a bird, woe betide them. I will reject them, they will be as wanderers among the nations. Isaiah 5:7
[The Israelites, taken out of Egypt and nurtured by Y’hovah, sinned and broke their Covenant with Him. They were exiled from the Land. Only part of Judah have returned to part of the Land, as a firstfruit. Zechariah 12:7]
Hosea 10:1-11 Israel is like a spreading vine, the more her prosperity, the more her apostasy. [the prosperous Western nations, continue to slide further into atheism and away from God’s Laws. Ezekiel 20:39]
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Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness and reap loyalty. Break up your fallow ground. It is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers deliverance upon you.
[It is time to turn again to Y’hovah, to renew our allegiance to Him and to obey His commands. Isaiah 55:6-7]
Hosea 10:13-15 Because you have trusted in your own strength, the tumult of war will come upon your people and your armies will be devastated. This will happen to you, Bethel, because of your great wickedness, swiftly as a passing dawn, your king will be swept away.
[Those who trust in their own strength – their military will be destroyed. Bethel = House of God , the Land of Israel. Their leaders gone in an instant. Isaiah 24:21-23]
Hosea 11:1-4 When Israel was a youth, I loved her. I called her out of Egypt, but the more I called, the further they went from Me. They were unaware that it was Y’hovah who nurtured them. [The Israelites were a chosen people, their ignorance caused their downfall. Acts 3:17, Ezekiel 20:39]
Hosea 11:5-7 Back they will go into exile, for they refuse to repent. They will face wars and tribulations, as they call to false gods to serve them.
[Both Israel and Judah were exiled from the Land. Innumerable wars, disasters, famines, plagues, etc. have been their lot until now. Deut. 29:22-28, Isaiah 48:9-11]
Hosea 11:8-9 How can I surrender you, Israel? How can I make you like a people now extinct? A change of heart moves Me – I will not let loose My fury and destroy them, for I am Y’hovah, not a mortal, the Holy One among you. I shall not come to you in My wrath.
[Y’hovah’s great promise of the eventual restoration of His people. Jeremiah 31:31-34]
Hosea 11:10-11 They will follow the Lord when He calls, His people will come quickly, from all parts of the earth and I shall settle them in their own Land. Isaiah 14:1-2
[His people, called by Y’hovah, will respond. They gather and settle into New Israel]
Hosea 11:12 The sins of Israel surround Me and Judah is unruly against their true God, they are still loyal to the idols they count as holy.
[But now, His people continue to sin and worship idols. Jeremiah 12:10-13]
Hosea 12:1-5 Y’hovah has a charge to bring against Israel and Judah, He will punish them for their misdeeds. Jacob received His favour at Bethel.
[Israel and Judah will be judged and punished. Ezekiel 20:35-36 Jacob (all Israel) have the promise of the blessing. Genesis 48:20, Isaiah 1:18]
Hosea 12:6-9 Turn back and with God’s help, maintain loyalty and justice and wait for your God always. Israel says: I have become rich, but with all my wealth, will the guilt of sin be found in me? Yet I have been the Lord your God from the days of Egypt. I shall make you live in tents again, as in ancient days.
[The western nations, now rich and complacent, must turn back to Y’hovah wholeheartedly. He has always been watching His people and they will return to their own Land in the same way as their ancestors did. Isaiah 11:11-12, Isaiah 44:2-23]
Hosea 12:10 It was I, Y’hovah, who spoke to the prophets, I gave them many visions, I declared My thoughts to them.
[Y’hovah’s plans for His people IS revealed in His Word. Isaiah 46:10, Amos 3:7]
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Hosea 12:11-14 In Gilead there is idolatry.... God will punish the Israelites for their idolatry. [Jeremiah 12:7-9]
Hosea 13:1-3 Ephraim was a prince and a leader, but he was guilty of idolatry, so he suffered death. Yet even now they sin more and more. They make idols and worship calf images, therefore they will be like the morning mist, like smoke from a chimney.
[Ephraim the leader of the 10 Northern tribes. “suffered death” that is; spiritual death]
Hosea 13:4-6 But since your days in Egypt, I have been your God and saviour. I cared for you in the desert, fed you until satisfied. But you became proud and forgot Me.
[Isaiah 2:6-8]
Hosea 13:7-16 So now, I shall bring harm to you. Where is your king now? In My wrath, I took him away. The sins of Ephraim are recorded, he is without good sense, he did not present himself at the proper time. I will ransom him from the power of death. Where, O death is your destruction?
[Y’hovah’s wrath, but then His promise of restoration. Isaiah 54:4-6]
Hosea 14:1-3 Return, Israel to your God, for your iniquity has been your downfall. Come back to Y’hovah with prayer and confession, asking for forgiveness. We will fulfil our vows to You. Only You can save us and we will never again make gods from our own hands. [Righteous Israel WILL return to Y’hovah. They WILL live in peace and prosperity in their own Land, New Israel. Isaiah 54:13-17, Jeremiah 33:6-8]
Hosea 14:7-8 Israel will again dwell in My shadow, they will prosper, their fame will spread around the world. They will have no more interest in idols, for Y’hovah is their shelter and strength.
[His people will again dwell in God’s shadow, as in ancient days. They will prepare for the Return of Jesus. Ezekiel 28:25-26]
Hosea 14:9 Who is wise? They will realise the truth of these things. Those with discernment will understand the plans of Y’hovah and the righteous will walk in His ways. But the rebellious will stumble and fall. [Isaiah 32:3-4]
Reference: REB, NIV, KJV. Verses abridged.
My comments:
Who seeks understanding? THEY will realize the truth and know God’s plans. His plan to exile His people, for them to undergo His training program and to fulfil the tasks ordained for them. Then to gather them back and give them His blessings.
For Judah: To keep the Torah, to maintain a visible identity of His people in the world and to be the firstfruits back into the Promised Land.
For Israel: To fulfil the prophecies given to Jacob’s sons, to be salt and light among the nations. (spread the Christian message)
Both Israel and Judah have yet to complete the punishment decreed for their sins. Ezekiel 4:4-6 It was increased by 7 times for Israel and 7X7 for Judah. Leviticus 26:18-28
They will be motivated to move back into their true heritage, the Land of Greater Israel, soon after this next prophesied event – the Lord’s day of vengeance and wrath. Many millions will emigrate, of every race and tongue, all those who love and serve Y’hovah. They will prepare themselves and the world for the eventual Return of Jesus.
Bruce McKerras June 2011
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HAGGAI the Prophet
In verses 1 to 9 of the Book of Haggai, the Jews who have returned to the Land, from their exile in Babylon, are told that the time has come to rebuild the Lord’s Temple.
Haggai 1:10-11 It is your fault that the heavens withhold their rain and the earth it’s produce. Because you have neglected the Lord’s House.
Haggai 1:13 so Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, said to the people; I am with you, says the Lord.
Haggai 2:4-5 Now, Zerubabbel, take heart, says the Lord – take heart, Joshua the High priest, take heart, you people. Begin the work, for I am with you and My spirit remains among you. Do not be afraid. [start building the 2nd Temple]
Haggai 2:6-8 For these are the words of the Lord; In a little while, I shall shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the land. I shall shake all the nations and their treasure will come here. Mine is the silver and the gold.
Haggai 2:9 The splendour of the latter Temple will surpass that of the former. In this place I will grant prosperity and peace.
[These 2 verses are unfulfilled prophesy, as at that time, the shaking did not happen, the treasure of the nations did not come and the 2nd Temple did not exceed the splendour of the 1st, therefore verse 9 applies to the 3rd Temple, yet to come.]
Haggai 2:10-14 On the 24th day of the 9th month......The Lord says that whatever offering that this people and nation [Judah] make here, is defiled in My sight.
Haggai 2:18 On the 24th day of the 9th month....The day the foundations of the Temple were laid.
Haggai 2:19 Will your crops fail? Not so, from this day I shall bless you.
Haggai 2:20-22 On the 24th day of the 9th month.....This is the word of the Lord; Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah; I shall shake the heavens and the earth; I shall overthrow Kings, break the power of heathen realms and destroy armies.
Haggai 2:23 On that Day, says the Lord, I will take you, Zerubbabel, My servant and wear you like a signet ring for it is you whom I have chosen.
[perhaps Zerubbabel is the one mentioned in Jeremiah 30:21.]
This book of Haggai, the prophet, tells how the Jews who had returned from Babylon were motivated to rebuild the Temple. The shaking and overthrowing mentioned, describes very well the Day of the Lord’s vengeance and wrath, which will happen when an attack is launched upon Israel.
What is most interesting, is the date, repeated three times; the 24th day of the 9th month. Which is the Jewish festival of Erev Chanukka (1st candle). In the Gregorian calendar, this is the 1st Dec 2010, 20th Dec 2011, 8th Dec 2012.
Reference, REB, NIV. Abridged. Bruce McKerras October 2010
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Micah – the Prophet
Micah 1:1-4 Listen all you peoples, let the earth and all who are in it give heed, so that Y’hovah may bear witness among you. Even now He is leaving His dwelling place. He comes down and walks on the heights of the earth. At His touch, the mountains melt like wax and valleys are split apart.
Micah 1:5-7 All this is because of Jacob’s [all 12 tribes] sins. What is the crime of Israel? It is their Land that they polluted. What is the crime of Judah? It is Jerusalem that they desecrated. I shall reduce Samaria and Judea to ruin. All the idols smashed and burnt.
Micah 1:5-16 That is why I mourn, Israel has suffered a deadly blow and now Judah will suffer. Disaster has come to Jerusalem, Judah, too, will go into exile.
Micah 2:1-6 Woe to those who plan iniquity, they know that they can do it – they defraud a man of his possessions. Therefore, Y’hovah plans disaster for this people. Your Land will be divided amongst peoples who will taunt you.
Micah 2:7-11 House of Jacob [all Israel] can one ask, is the Lord’s patience truly at an end? Y’hovah does good to those who are righteous, but My people have acted like an enemy, so they must go away from this Land that they have defiled.
Micah 2:12-13 I will surely gather you, bring together the remnant of Israel, like sheep into a sheepfold. One who opens the way will go before them, they will break through the gate, with Y’hovah at their head.
Micah 3:1-4 I said: Listen you leaders of Israel, surely it is for you to know what is right, yet you hate good and love evil. You take no care for My people. If you call to Y’hovah, He will not answer, He will hide His face from you, because of the evil that you have done.
Micah 3:5-7 Y’hovah says: Those false prophets who lead My people astray, those who promise prosperity for their reward, they will be shamed and disgraced, for I do not speak to them.
Micah 3:8-12 But, I [Micah] am full of strength and justice– to declare to the Israelites their crimes. Hear this, you leaders who despise justice, you think that Y’hovah is with you and no disasters can happen. Therefore, because of you, Zion will become a ploughed field, Jerusalem ruined and the Temple mount as a rough wasteland.
Micah 4:1-5 In days to come, Y’hovah’s Temple will be re established, higher than all the mountains. People will gather towards it, saying: let us go to the Temple of Israel’s God, that we may learn the right way to live. Y’hovah will judge the peoples with righteousness, they will not go to war anymore. All will live in peace, on their own property. We will be loyal forever to Y’hovah.
Micah 4:6-8 In that day, I will gather those who are lost, I shall assemble the dispersed and those I have afflicted. I shall restore the remnant and turn them into a mighty nation. I will be their King in Jerusalem forever. The promises made to Zion will be fulfilled and all your lands restored to you
Micah 4:9-10 Why are you now in distress? You have no king or prophet now and you must go to Babylon. There Y’hovah will protect you and save you from your enemies.
Micah 4:11-12 Now many nations are massed against you, they say: let her suffer outrage, we will gloat over Zion. They do not know the Lord’s purpose, for He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
Micah 4:13 Start your threshing, people of Zion, for I shall give you supernatural strength and you will crush many peoples. Their wealth is to be given to Y’hovah.
Micah 5:1 Now, withdraw behind your walls, you people of a walled city. The siege is pressed against you. Israel’s ruler is struck on the cheek with a rod.
Micah 5:2-4 But, you, Bethlehem, from you will come Israel’s King. His origin is from the ancient past. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is pregnant gives birth. Then, those of the people who survive will rejoin their brethren.
Your King will rise up and lead you with the strength and majesty of God. His people will enjoy security, for His power will reach to the ends of the earth.
THEN THERE WILL BE PEACE.
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Micah 5:5-9 When the Assyrians invade our Land and capture Israel, then we will raise against them a group of leaders, who will rule Assyria with their drawn swords. Those of Israel, dispersed amongst the nations will be like dew from Y’hovah, like a lion among sheep. Your hand will be raised over your foes, they will be destroyed.
Micah 5:10-15 In that day, declares Y’hovah, I shall destroy your armies, your cities and your strongholds, your witchcraft, your idols and the works of your hands. In anger and fury, I shall wreak vengeance on all the nations who disobey Me.
Micah 6:1-5 Hear what Y’hovah is saying, let the Land hear His accusation against His people. He will argue His case against Israel. My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you. Answer Me. It was I who brought you out of slavery in Egypt, I gave you good leaders, then. Remember how Balaam, the prophet blessed you and how I cared for you in the desert.
Micah 6:6-12 I have told you mortals what is good, to act justly, to be loyal and to walk humbly with your God. Y’hovah is calling to this people, those who fear His Name – that is wisdom. Should He forget your transgressions? Your rich people act with violence and the truth is nowhere to be found.
Micah 6:13-16 Now, I shall inflict severe punishment upon you because of your sins. You will eat, but not be satisfied. Come to labour, but not bring forth, sow, but not reap, tread grapes, but not drink the wine. You have followed the sins of your ancestors. Therefore, I shall bring you to ruin and you will endure the insults of the nations.
Micah 7:1-4 What misery is mine, I am like the last gleanings of the crop. Those who revere Y’hovah have gone from the Land, no honest person can be found. All who remain are bent on doing evil, any goodness remaining is twisted like a thornbush.
The day of their punishment has come and now confusion seizes them.
Micah 7:5-7 Do not trust anyone, for your enemies may be members of your own household. But I shall watch and hope in Y’hovah, I will wait for Him. He will hear me.
Micah 7:8-10 My enemies, do not exult over me. Though I have fallen, I shall rise again. Because I have sinned against Y’hovah, I must bear His anger until He pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me into the light, I will see His justice. When my enemies see it, they will be confounded, those that said: where is your God? I will exult over them, they will be trampled like mud in the streets.
Micah 7:11-13 That will be a Day for rebuilding and extending boundaries. A Day when we will return to the Land from every place on earth. The rest of the earth will become a waste because of the deeds of its inhabitants.
Micah 7:14-15 Y’hovah, shepherd your people with your strong arm, the flock that is Your own. They live apart, in a fertile place, in Bashan and Gilead as in times past.
Show us miracles as in the days of our sojourn and escape from Egypt.
Micah 7:16-17 Let the nations see and be ashamed and powerless. Let them be silenced as they come trembling from their strongholds. Let them approach with awe and fear.
Micah 7:18-20 Who is God like You? You forgive the sins of the remnant of Your people, You are not angry forever, for to be merciful is Your delight. Once more, You will show compassion and remove our guilt. You will be true to Israel and will keep Your promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Reference: REB, NIV, KJV. Some verses abridged.
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MID EAST NEWS Micah ben Moresheth
The book of the prophet Micah is not written in chronological order. This evident by how chapter 4 starts by describing the Millennium Kingdom, then says how Judah must go to Babylon. Isaiah 28:10 says how Scripture is a little here and a little there, like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.
Here is a list of all the verses of Micah, in a possible sequence:
LISTEN, ALL YOU PEOPLES. Micah 1:2
BABYLONIANS CONQUER JERUSALEM. Micah 2:3-4, Micah 1:12, Micah 3:12
THE LAND DESECRATED AND JERUSALEM DESTROYED. Micah 3:12, Micah 1:6-7
JUDAH TAKEN TO BABYLON. Micah 4:9-10, Micah 1:9 & 16, Micah 2:10
ALL OF THE ISRAELITES NOW DISPERSED AMONG THE NATIONS. Micah 5:5b-9
OTHER NATIONS TAKE POSSESSION OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH. Micah 2:4
THE LORD’S PEOPLE MUST BEAR THEIR PUNISHMENT. Micah 7:9
THE ISRAELITES HAVE TURNED FROM THE LORD. Micah 6:6-16, Micah 7:3
THE CRIME RATE IS INCREASING. Micah 2:1-2, Micah 2:8-10
LEADERS OF THE ISRAELITE NATIONS ARE APOSTATE. Micah 3:1-3 & 9-11
CHURCH LEADERS CANNOT PROVIDE GOOD GUIDEANCE. Micah 3:5-7
NOW, MANY NATIONS ARE MASSED AGAINST ISRAEL. Micah 4:11-12, Micah 5:1
THEY WILL BE CRUSHED AND DESTROYED. Micah 4:13, Micah 7:4 & 10
EARTHQUAKES AND FIRES, WORLDWIDE. Micah 1:3-4, Micah 5:10-15
ALL WHO TRUST IN THE LORD WILL BE SAVED. Micah 7:7
THE SURVIVORS OF THE OTHER NATIONS, HUMILIATED. Micah 7:16-17
ALL THE DESCENDANTS OF JACOB, ASSEMBLED. Micah 2:12, Micah 4:6-7, Micah 7:12
THE ISRAELIES ARE JUDGED. Micah 6:1-5
THE MERCY AND COMPASSION OF GOD TO HIS PEOPLE. Micah 7:18-19
THE LORD’S PEOPLE MARCH INTO THE PROMISED LAND. Micah 2:13
THE LAND OF GREATER ISRAEL. Micah 7:11
HIS PEOPLE LIVE IN NEW ISRAEL IN PEACE AND SECURITY. Micah 7:14-15
GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES TO HIS LAND AND PEOPLE. Micah 4:8. Micah 7:20
THE MILLINNIUM KINGDOM OF JESUS, ESTABLISHED. Micah 4:1, Micah 5:2-4
MANY PEOPLES TRAVEL TO JERUSALEM. Micah 4:2
EVERYONE WILL LIVE AT PEACE, LOYAL TO THE LORD. Micah 4:4-5
THEN THERE WILL BE PEACE. Micah 5:5a
Bruce McKerras May 2011