Zephaniah 3 12-14, 20 the remnant of Judah

"I will leave among you a humble and lowly people, and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord. The remnant will do no wrong, and tell no lies, now will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. They will feed and lie down with no one to make them tremble. At that time I will bring you in, even at that time when I gather you together. Indeed, I will give you renown and praise among all peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," Says the Lord."

This is an important passage for understanding the remaining three books of the prophets. Although Israel and Judah were vile, this particular group in Judah was a new generation of Jews who learned from the mistakes of their fathers. This group will return to the land of inheritance taken away from their fathers by Babylon 70 years earlier. This is the final book of the exile prophets. Now we will transition into the post-exile prophets and study the return of these people back home.

Daily Prayer: Father, it is good when one generation can learn from the last. Most often, humankind is so prone to sin that it takes an act by you for this to come about. Bless you.

In my time, the Jews have made yet another return trip home as they gathered as a nation

in 1948, but this time they are not accepting the giving of the son as means of redemption. Keep them until the day of their salvation when you will again, cause them to come to faith.

In Jesus name I pray Amen.