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Zephaniah 2:3 - Live Humbly in Obedience to The Lord.

Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV) Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

Zephaniah 2:3 (NLT) Seek the LORD, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the LORD will protect you - protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.

WORD STUDY

Humble or Meek H6035: This Hebrew word may be translated humble (Ps. 34:2) or meek (Ps. 37:11; see also Matt. 5:5) and is derived from a verb meaning "to be afflicted" or "to be bowed down" (Ps. 116:10). Forms of this word occur twice in 2:3: first translated as meek and then as humility. The word frequently refers to the poor or oppressed (see Prov. 14:21; Amos 2:7). But it also signifies strength of character in enduring suffering without resentment. Such character is rooted in a strong faith in God and His goodness and a steadfast submission to the will of God. [Nelson SB]

APPLICATION

   The people still had time to avert God's judgment, but that time was running out quickly. They simply had to turn from their sins, humble themselves, and obey God. The Old Testament prophets announced news of destruction, but they also offered the only means of escape and protection - turning from sin and walking with God (see also Micah 6:8).
   Living humbly doesn't mean always being mild mannered or putting yourself down. It means having an honest estimate of yourself before God and others, recognizing God as the creator and center of the universe and putting others before yourself. Above all, it means listening to and following God (see 3:12). [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARLS

When you rise in the morning, do you feel your helplessness, and your need of strength from God? and do you humbly, heartily make known your wants to your heavenly Father?... If you feel in no danger, and if you offer no prayer for help and strength to resist temptations, you will be sure to go astray; 3T363-364

If God's people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God...... faith must be made perfect by works, for faith alone is dead. It must be sustained by works. A living faith is always manifested by works.''  1T619

COMMENTARY

Extreme Temptation
   C. S. Lewis asserts that the ultimate sin is Pride. "It is a terrible thing that the worst of all the vices can smuggle itself into the very center of our religious life." Lewis says that other vices, such as anger, greed, and drunkenness, are "mere fleabites in comparison" and come from our physical nature, but Pride, he observes, "comes direct from hell."
   Direct from hell? Isn't that a bit extreme?
   "It was through Pride that the devil became the devil," Lewis contends. "Pride leads to every other vice; it is the complete anti-God state of mind."
   Lewis is not, of course, speaking of self-worth or of enjoying a compliment. He's referring to the pride that rises within us to be better than others, to have more than others, and to be "captains of our own fate." Who needs God when we can rise on our own?
   In contrast to devilish pride, there's godly humility. Lewis emphasizes that God "wants to give you Himself" He predicts that those in touch with God "will, in fact, be humble - delightedly humble."
   The pride that Satan tries to smuggle into us provides not delight but a rebel spirit. Some are puzzled about Jesus' scathing renunciations of religious leaders. He called them snakes and hypocrites and used language against them that would fit a brutal political campaign. These same leaders determined that Jesus should be crucified.
   A thoughtful Christian once observed, "If I had lived in Jesus' day, I'd have been a Pharisee. I believe in the Scriptures as the Pharisees did." It sobered him to think he might be a modern counterpart to those who sent Jesus to the Cross.
   It should sober us all! We who claim the Christian faith are determined to get our doctrines right, and we are often critical of those who cross our categories.
   It was the Pharisees' pride that angered Jesus - and their lack of love. Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and love others. When we genuinely love God, we become "delightedly humble."
   Lord, I'm a sinner saved by your grace. Keep me from being proud when I resist vices that have tripped up others. Let your magnificence and holiness fill my mind with awe and praise. [The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Micah 6:8 - What God Requires of Mankind.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20251218-0358.html

Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking and Finding God.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20241219-1551.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/