Zephaniah 3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love; He will joy over thee with singing. 18 “I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. 19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. 20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes,” saith the LORD.
Redeemed
Friend
Daughter
Apple of His eye
Anointed
Crown of Glory
Blessed
Royal Diadem
Hephzibah – God’s Delight
Chosen
Beulah – God’s Bride
Holy
Minister
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; And the LORD . . . shall choose Jerusalem again.
Commentary: Even something as seemingly minute as name-calling, stands to convict us when we attempt to belittle and oppress others with mislabeling. God is serious about names, especially His own. Jesus even spoke of the nasty names he was called: wino, glutton, friend of sinners, sinner (guilt by association), they even called him the devil. He wasn’t accusing the brethren of things, He was testifying in truth. We choose how we will be recounted in other’s stories; nobody forced those religious people to act ugly or to slander Jesus with such vile names. Yet, in their defense, I guess, they didn’t know the whole story; then again, neither would they receive it. Their bad, natural and spiritual attitudes, blocked them from Jesus’ blessings. They seemed to think, that because of their education and prominence in the church, their assessment of Jesus was somehow more accurate than the truth He was telling them. After all, how could some carpenter’s son possibly know better than they? But, Joseph was a surrogate. How many miracles could they have seen, if only they had believed when Jesus told them who his real daddy was.
What you don’t know can sometimes hurt you; but, what you refuse to receive of God, will always cost you, and hurt those around you. When our deeds are not commanded by God, they are likewise not endorsed by Him. No matter who we are or what our position, such unauthorized activity, is to operate outside of God’s will. He will forgive us and even count it not as sin to us; but, He will not allow us to go completely unpunished “According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay.” Jacob comes to mind: God, had already told Jacob that he would be treated kindly in the land of his people; yet, fear, because of a guilty conscience, caused Jacob to doubt; therefore, he wrestled against God for a blessing that was already his (*and won?). He then sought to bribe his brother with gifts, to save his own life. Sounds real intense, this man winning in battle against GOD Almighty, huh? Not really. Jacob stayed up all night, exhausting his energy, when he could have been sleeping peacefully in God’s promise. After the “fight”, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel and blessed him exactly according to His original promise; not because he stubbornly fought against Him, but because He will not go back on his word. When God changes our name, He labels us according to our new heart. My given name, Marian, literally means bitterness; but, I’m so glad God changed my name on October 12, 2010 in a two-bedroom flat, in Atlanta, GA. I gave Him a crazy praise then, and, if He allows, I will praise Him for all eternity, for He renamed me Hephzibah “God’s delight.” THANK YOU LORD!!! What was I talking about? Oh yeah, Jacob . . . While Jacob received a more honorable name, he also incurred an unnecessary limp. And, as for Esau, a bribe was likewise unnecessary; all he wanted was an honest dialogue and genuine relationship with his brother, which wasn’t possible until God had changed Jacob’s name.
Since I brought Jacob into my commentary, I may as well talk about his posterity. I love the story of Joseph and his brothers. But, I believe that Joseph has gotten a bad rap from pulpits over the years. There is a definite correlation between Jacob’s treachery against his brother, Esau; and the torment that his sons levied against Joseph.
Joseph’s brothers could have celebrated with him, or at the very least, offered some loving advice to help him decipher his dream. But, their envy of his favored status and gift, a “patchwork coat,” prevented them from valiantly operating with the integrity of the “big brothers,” they were called to be. While Joseph’s brothers were, sensual in tricking their elderly “earthly father,” with a false narrative and outwardly, sorrowful visage; the Heavenly Father, who knows all, would not be mocked (we never really get away with anything, there is ultimately repayment). God knew their intention; as He knows the intent of every heart, even our very thoughts. I love how God presents this parable, so that because of generational malice and mischief, everyone bore some part of the burden. No one escaped liability; not even the elder one, whose own past infractions had wrought the events (Joseph and Benjamin had different mothers, which caused tension among the step-siblings. I know a little bit about that, albeit, on the flip-side). Still, Jacob’s family is a perfect example of what God can do in our own families when we stop fighting against His plan, and each other (on all sides), and embrace the truth that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Instead of throwing a family into a pit, there should be rejoicing that, of all the families in the earth, God has chosen yours to represent Him.
Sometimes the entire family has to undergo a name change before God will manifest promise. For this reason, God changed the name of the whole church, so that no denomination, who confesses the name Jesus, is excluded; for there is but one “Body of Christ”: “For mine house shall be called an ‘House of Prayer’ for all people.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My writings are never lost on me, for I recognize that in our humanity, haughtiness sometimes besets us all (I can’t always identify it in myself; But God, always true to his word; being not a respecter of man, reveals it to me, that I may seek to correct). Therefore, I minister also unto myself. Y’all know I’m not generally long-winded (tongue in cheek “tic”), well at least, not intentionally; I just love talking about Him, especially within the context of my own personal experience. Even though I know it’s not all about me, I get so caught up and I still find myself thinking: “me, of all people.” He just never ceases to amaze me.
* Nobody ever really wins in a fight against God; we only postpone promise.
(Please excuse typos and grammatical errors . . . y’all know)
Redeemed
Friend
Daughter
Apple of His eye
Anointed
Crown of Glory
Blessed
Royal Diadem
Hephzibah – God’s Delight
Chosen
Beulah – God’s Bride
Holy
Minister
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; And the LORD . . . shall choose Jerusalem again.
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; BUT GOD meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive
HE IS OMNIPOTENT
Thank You LORD
Thank You LORD
Commentary: Even something as seemingly minute as name-calling, stands to convict us when we attempt to belittle and oppress others with mislabeling. God is serious about names, especially His own. Jesus even spoke of the nasty names he was called: wino, glutton, friend of sinners, sinner (guilt by association), they even called him the devil. He wasn’t accusing the brethren of things, He was testifying in truth. We choose how we will be recounted in other’s stories; nobody forced those religious people to act ugly or to slander Jesus with such vile names. Yet, in their defense, I guess, they didn’t know the whole story; then again, neither would they receive it. Their bad, natural and spiritual attitudes, blocked them from Jesus’ blessings. They seemed to think, that because of their education and prominence in the church, their assessment of Jesus was somehow more accurate than the truth He was telling them. After all, how could some carpenter’s son possibly know better than they? But, Joseph was a surrogate. How many miracles could they have seen, if only they had believed when Jesus told them who his real daddy was.
What you don’t know can sometimes hurt you; but, what you refuse to receive of God, will always cost you, and hurt those around you. When our deeds are not commanded by God, they are likewise not endorsed by Him. No matter who we are or what our position, such unauthorized activity, is to operate outside of God’s will. He will forgive us and even count it not as sin to us; but, He will not allow us to go completely unpunished “According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay.” Jacob comes to mind: God, had already told Jacob that he would be treated kindly in the land of his people; yet, fear, because of a guilty conscience, caused Jacob to doubt; therefore, he wrestled against God for a blessing that was already his (*and won?). He then sought to bribe his brother with gifts, to save his own life. Sounds real intense, this man winning in battle against GOD Almighty, huh? Not really. Jacob stayed up all night, exhausting his energy, when he could have been sleeping peacefully in God’s promise. After the “fight”, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel and blessed him exactly according to His original promise; not because he stubbornly fought against Him, but because He will not go back on his word. When God changes our name, He labels us according to our new heart. My given name, Marian, literally means bitterness; but, I’m so glad God changed my name on October 12, 2010 in a two-bedroom flat, in Atlanta, GA. I gave Him a crazy praise then, and, if He allows, I will praise Him for all eternity, for He renamed me Hephzibah “God’s delight.” THANK YOU LORD!!! What was I talking about? Oh yeah, Jacob . . . While Jacob received a more honorable name, he also incurred an unnecessary limp. And, as for Esau, a bribe was likewise unnecessary; all he wanted was an honest dialogue and genuine relationship with his brother, which wasn’t possible until God had changed Jacob’s name.
Since I brought Jacob into my commentary, I may as well talk about his posterity. I love the story of Joseph and his brothers. But, I believe that Joseph has gotten a bad rap from pulpits over the years. There is a definite correlation between Jacob’s treachery against his brother, Esau; and the torment that his sons levied against Joseph.
(This is applicable to both biological brothers and Christian brothers, alike)
While most sermons cast a shadow on Joseph for telling about his dream, scripture doesn’t necessarily place blame on Joseph. Yet even if he were a bit remiss in forthcoming, that certainly did not justify his brothers’ hateful response. Joseph was doing exactly what should have been expected of him; he was being a little brother (likewise for babes in Christ). We live and learn, “growing up into Him in all things.” Joseph was excited about his future, and though naively presented, he should have been able to trust his older (more mature?) brothers enough to share his dream with them; without repression. Teasing, I can understand, that’s what siblings do. But, being thrown into a pit and sold into slavery; that’s a whole other level of evil. I also find it interesting that none of the partakers thereof (slave traders) ever inquired (correct me if I’m wrong) about the authenticity of the transaction (rightful ownership vs. stolen goods), but, were quick in laying of hands to profit themselves; i.e. satisfy their own agendas.Joseph’s brothers could have celebrated with him, or at the very least, offered some loving advice to help him decipher his dream. But, their envy of his favored status and gift, a “patchwork coat,” prevented them from valiantly operating with the integrity of the “big brothers,” they were called to be. While Joseph’s brothers were, sensual in tricking their elderly “earthly father,” with a false narrative and outwardly, sorrowful visage; the Heavenly Father, who knows all, would not be mocked (we never really get away with anything, there is ultimately repayment). God knew their intention; as He knows the intent of every heart, even our very thoughts. I love how God presents this parable, so that because of generational malice and mischief, everyone bore some part of the burden. No one escaped liability; not even the elder one, whose own past infractions had wrought the events (Joseph and Benjamin had different mothers, which caused tension among the step-siblings. I know a little bit about that, albeit, on the flip-side). Still, Jacob’s family is a perfect example of what God can do in our own families when we stop fighting against His plan, and each other (on all sides), and embrace the truth that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Instead of throwing a family into a pit, there should be rejoicing that, of all the families in the earth, God has chosen yours to represent Him.
Sometimes the entire family has to undergo a name change before God will manifest promise. For this reason, God changed the name of the whole church, so that no denomination, who confesses the name Jesus, is excluded; for there is but one “Body of Christ”: “For mine house shall be called an ‘House of Prayer’ for all people.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My writings are never lost on me, for I recognize that in our humanity, haughtiness sometimes besets us all (I can’t always identify it in myself; But God, always true to his word; being not a respecter of man, reveals it to me, that I may seek to correct). Therefore, I minister also unto myself. Y’all know I’m not generally long-winded (tongue in cheek “tic”), well at least, not intentionally; I just love talking about Him, especially within the context of my own personal experience. Even though I know it’s not all about me, I get so caught up and I still find myself thinking: “me, of all people.” He just never ceases to amaze me.
BE STILL AND KNOW . . . GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD
* Nobody ever really wins in a fight against God; we only postpone promise.
(Please excuse typos and grammatical errors . . . y’all know)
