Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 ~ not trusted, God, not drawn near

There are two sides to being called a nationalistic church. The other side is a fertility driven worship, allowing every odd behavior of sexuality and having little regard for family or for infants. Not caring. About self and self sexuality.

  

Baal worship a fertility cult centered on Baal

The deity of prosperity and agricultural prosperity. 

It was widely practiced in the ancient Middle East Cannanite —often involving child sacrifice, 

ritual prostitution, 

and ecstatic rites. 

Presented a major spiritual challenge to biblical monotheism. 

  

Baal Worship  

The Deity: Baal ("Lord" or "Master") was worshipped as the giver of rain and fertility to the land, cattle, and humans. He was a "dying and rising" god, reflecting seasonal changes.

  

Rituals & Practices: Worship involved offering human babies, animals (bulls, lambs), grain, and wine, but in times of crisis, it escalated to human sacrifice, particularly of firstborn children. The infants were chopped up, throat first, and their blood was poured on the dirt to make prosperity. Good crops.

    

Cultic Prostitution: Fertility rites involved sexual acts during worship, often involving priests and priestesses to encourage Baal to ensure agricultural abundance.

Biblical Context: 1 Kings 18

The prophet Elijah confronted this worship on Mount Carmel, demonstrating God’s power over the rain. 

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13

Thus says the LORD:

Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,

 to the tyrannical city!

She hears no voice,

    accepts no correction;

In the LORD she has not trusted,

    to her God she has not drawn near.

For then I will change and purify

    the lips of the peoples,

That they all may call upon the Name of the LORD,

    to serve Him 

with one accord

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia

  and as far as the recesses of the North,

    they shall bring me offerings.

    On that day

you need not be ashamed 

    of all your deeds,

    your rebellious actions against Me;

For then will I remove from your midst

    the proud braggarts,

And you shall no longer exalt yourself

    on My Holy Mountain.

But I will leave as a remnant in your midst

    a people humble and lowly,

Who shall 

take refuge in the Name of the LORD

   

The remnant of Israel.

They shall do no wrong

    and 

speak no lies;

Nor shall there be found in their mouths

    a deceitful tongue;

They shall pasture and couch their flocks

    with none to disturb them.

The oil of gladness instead of mourning

The garment of praise 

instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called 

Oaks of Righteousness

 The planting of the Lord, 

that He may be glorified.

They shall build up the ancient ruins;

    they shall raise up the former devastations;

they shall repair the ruined cities

 The devastations of many generations

We have to see what the problem is and do what we all can do to keep the policies favorable to the family structure intact.  The Word of God made plain.

The interest rates. The HOA structures. The School Districts.  And the Churches. Take the recovery from the pandemic and Biden inflation and make the Good Choices. 

Abba, Father,

Jesus spoke Your Word 

telling us always to Pray 

and Have Hope.

We lift up to You, Father God, 

our most pressing prayer request, 

knowing You have heard and answer.

Thank You, Father God, 

and 

Blessed be the Name of Jesus the Lord. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes, The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You, Jesus