Native American Heritage Month

Watching what is unfolding in the Middle East with the Palestinians, I am reminded of how the U.S. government treated the American Indians. It seems as though Israel has taken a page from American history on how to deal with people whose land you desire. Since November is American Indian Heritage Month I thought I would share some history.

In the early 1970s, I moved our family to the Wind River Indian Reservation. We lived among the Shoshone Indian tribe. I have first-hand experience of reservation life and the struggle of the American Indian.

The dark chapters of history reveal the shocking truth about the U.S. government's crimes against the American Indians. The mistreatment and injustice inflicted upon this indigenous population are appalling.

From forced relocations and broken treaties to mass killings and cultural assimilation, the U.S. government has a long and painful history of perpetrating crimes against the American Indian people. These atrocities have devastated their communities, losing land, language, traditions, and countless lives.

It is essential to acknowledge these historical injustices and educate ourselves about the true extent of the suffering endured by Native Americans. By doing so, we can work towards reconciliation, healing, and ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.

The resilience and strength displayed by the American Indian communities despite these crimes is genuinely awe-inspiring. It serves as a reminder that their rich culture continues to thrive despite centuries of oppression.

As we reflect upon this dark chapter in history, let us strive for justice, equality, and respect for all cultures. Only through understanding our past can we create a better future for everyone.

The term "genocide," made from the ancient Greek word genos (race, nation, or tribe) and the Latin caedere ("killing, annihilation"), was first coined by Raphael Lemkin, a Polish-Jewish legal scholar, in his 1944 book Axis Rule in Occupied Europe. It originally means "the destruction of a nation or an ethnic group."

In 1946, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly affirmed genocide as a crime under international law in Resolution 96, which stated that "Genocide is a denial of the right of existence of entire human groups, as homicide is the denial of the right to live of individual human beings; such denial of the right of existence shocks the conscience of mankind … and is contrary to moral law and the spirit and aims of the United Nations."

On December 9, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 260A, or the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which entered into force on January 12, 1951. The Resolution noted that "at all periods of history, genocide has inflicted great losses on humanity." Article II of the Convention clearly defines genocide as any of the following acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, as such:

1. Killing members of the group.
2. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group.
3. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.
4. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.
5. Forcibly transferring children of the groups to another group.
6. 
   

The United States ratified the Convention in 1988.

Genocide is also clearly defined in U.S. domestic law. The United States Code, in Section 1091 of Title 18, defines genocide as violent attacks with the specific intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, a definition similar to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

According to historical records and media reports, since its founding, the United States has systematically deprived Indians of their rights to life and fundamental political, economic, and cultural rights through killings, displacements, and forced assimilation in an attempt to physically and culturally eradicate this group. Even today, Indians still face a severe existential crisis.

According to international law and domestic law, what the United States did to the Indians covers all the acts that define genocide and indisputably constitute genocide. The American magazine Foreign Policy commented that the crimes against Native Americans are entirely consistent with the definition of genocide under current international law.

The profound sin of genocide is a historical stain that the United States can never clear, and the painful tragedy of Indians is a lesson that should never be forgotten.

The U.S. government has been at the forefront of all actions to bring about the genocide of the American Indians.

1. Government-led action

On July 4, 1776, the United States of America was founded with the Declaration of Independence, which openly stated that "He (the British King) has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages," and slandered Native Americans as "the merciless Indian Savages."

The U.S. government and leaders treated Native Americans with a belief in white superiority and supremacy, set out to annihilate the Indians, and attempted to eradicate the race through "cultural genocide."

During the American War of Independence (1775-1783), the Second War of Independence (1812-1815), and the Civil War (1861-1865), the U.S. leaders, eager to transform its plantation economy as an adjunct to European colonialism and to expand their territories, coveted the vast Indian lands and launched thousands of attacks on Indian tribes, slaughtering Indian chiefs, soldiers and even civilians, and taking Indian lands for themselves.

In 1862, the United States enacted the Homestead Act, which provided that every American citizen above the age of 21, with a mere registration fee of 10 U.S. dollars, could acquire no more than 160 acres (about 64.75 hectares) of land in the west. Lured by the land, the white people swarmed into the Indian areas and started a massacre that killed thousands of Indians.

Leaders of the U.S. government at that time openly claimed that the skin of Indians could be peeled off to make tall boots, that Indians must be annihilated or driven to places that no one would go, that Indians had to be wiped out swiftly and that only dead Indians are good Indians. American soldiers saw the slaughter of Indians as natural, even an honor, and would not rest until they were all killed. Similar hate rhetoric and atrocities abound and are well documented in many Native American extermination monographs.

2. Bloody massacres and atrocities

Since the colonists set foot in North America, they had systematically and extensively hunted American bison, cutting off the source of food and primary livelihood of the Indians and causing their death from starvation in large numbers.

Statistics reveal that since its independence in 1776, the U.S. government has launched over 1,500 attacks on Indian tribes, slaughtering the Indians, taking their lands, and committing countless crimes. In 1814, the U.S. government decreed that it would award 50 to 100 dollars for each Indian skull surrendered. The American Historian Frederick Turner acknowledged in The Significance of the Frontier in American History, released in 1893, that a series of wars against the Indians won each frontier.

The California Gold Rush also brought about the California Massacre. Peter Burnett, the first governor of California, proposed a war of extermination against Native Americans, triggering rising calls for the extermination of Indians in the state. In California in the 1850s and 60s, an Indian skull or scalp was worth 5 dollars, while the average daily wage was 25 cents. From 1846 to 1873, the Indian population in California dropped to 30,000 from 150,000. Countless Indians died as a result of the atrocities. Some of the significant massacres include:

◆In 1811, American troops defeated the famous Indian chief Tecumseh and his Army in the Battle of Tippecanoe, burned the Indian capital Prophetstown, and committed brutal massacres.

◆From November 1813 to January 1814, the U.S. Army launched the Creek War against the Native Americans, also known as the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. On March 27, 1814, about 3,000 soldiers attacked the Creek Indians at Horseshoe Bend, Mississippi Territory. Over 800 Creek warriors were slaughtered in the fight, and as a result, the military strength of the Creeks was significantly weakened. Under the Treaty of Fort Jackson, signed on August 9 of the same year, the Creeks ceded more than 23 million acres of land to the U.S. federal government.

◆On November 29, 1864, pastor John Chivington massacred Indians at Sand Creek in southeastern Colorado due to the opposition of a few Indians to the signing of a land grant agreement. It was one of the most notorious massacres of Native Americans. Maria Montoya, a professor of history at New York University, said in an interview that Chivington's soldiers scalped women and children, beheaded them, and paraded them through the streets upon their return to Denver.

James Anaya, former UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, submitted his report after a country visit to the United States in 2012. According to the accounts of the descendants of the victims of the Sand Creek Massacre, in 1864, around 700 armed U.S. soldiers raided and shot at Cheyenne and Arapaho people living on the Sand Creek Indian Reservation in Colorado. Media reports showed that the massacre resulted in between 70 and 163 deaths among the 200-plus tribal members. Two-thirds of the dead were women or children, and no one was held responsible for the massacre. The U.S. government had reached a compensation agreement with tribal descendants, which has not been delivered even to this day.

◆On December 29, 1890, near the Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota, U.S. troops fired at the Indians, killing and injuring more than 350 people, according to the U.S. Congressional Record. After the Wounded Knee Massacre, armed Indian resistance was largely suppressed. About 20 U.S. soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor.

◆In 1930, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs began sterilizing Indian women through the Indian Health Service program. Sterilization was conducted to protect the health of Indian women, and in some cases, even performed without the women's knowledge. Statistics suggest that in the early 1970s, more than 42% of Indian women of childbearing age were sterilized. This resulted in the near extinction of many small tribes. By 1976, approximately 70,000 Indian women had been forcibly sterilized.

3. Westward expansion and forced migration

In its early days, the United States regarded Indian tribes as sovereign entities and dealt with them on land, trade, justice, and other issues mainly through negotiated treaties and occasionally through war. By 1840, the United States had concluded more than 200 treaties with various tribes, most of which were unequal treaties that were reached under U.S. military and political pressure and through deception and coercion and were binding on the Indian tribes only. The treaties were used as a primary tool to take advantage of Indian tribes.

In 1830, the United States passed the Indian Removal Act, which marked the institutionalization of forced relocation of Indians. The Act legally deprived Indian tribes of the right to live in the eastern United States, forcing some 100,000 Indians to move to the west of the Mississippi River from their ancestral lands in the south. The migration began in the summer heat and continued through the winter with subzero temperatures. Trudging 16 miles daily, thousands died due to hunger, cold, exhaustion, disease, and plague. The Indian population was decimated, and the forced migration became a "Trail of Blood and Tears". Tribes that refused to move were left to military suppression, forcible eviction, and even massacre by the U.S. government.

In 1839, before Texas joined the United States, the government demanded that Indians remove immediately or face the destruction of their possessions and the extermination of their tribe. Large numbers of Cherokees who refused to comply were shot and killed.

In 1863, the U.S. military carried out a "scorched earth" policy to forcibly remove the Navajo tribe, burning houses and crops, slaughtering livestock, and vandalizing properties. Under the Army's watch, Navajos had to walk several hundred miles to a reservation in eastern New Mexico. Pregnant women and seniors who fell behind were shot on the spot.

In the mid-19th century, nearly all American Indians were driven to the west of the Mississippi River and forced by the U.S. government to live in Native American reservations.

As was written in the Cambridge Economic History of the United States, as a result of the U.S. government's forcible expulsion of the last Indians in the east, only a minimal number of Indians who were individual citizens of the nation, or those individual Indians who went into hiding during the forceful expulsion, remained in the region.

Sadly, to whitewash this part of history, U.S. historians often glorify the Westward Expansion as the American people's pursuit of economic development in the western frontier, claiming that it accelerated the improvement of American democracy, boosted economic prosperity, and contributed to the formation and development of the American national spirit. They make no mention of the brutal massacre of Native Americans.

After the Westward Expansion, the budding civilization of the Americas was destroyed, and the Indians, one of the several major human races, faced complete extinction.

4. Forced assimilation and cultural extinction

To defend the unjust deeds of the U.S. government, some American scholars in the 19th century trumpeted the dichotomy of "civilization versus barbarism" and portrayed Native Americans as a savage, evil, and inferior group. Francis Parkman, a famous 19th-century American historian, even claimed that the American Indian "will not learn the arts of civilization, and he and his forest must perish together."

In the 1870s and '80s, the U.S. government adopted a more aggressive "forced assimilation" policy to obliterate the social fabric and culture of Indian tribes. The core objective of the strategy was to destroy the original group affiliation and the ethnic and tribal identity of the Indians and transform them into individual Americans with American citizenship, civic consciousness, and identification with mainstream American values. Four measures were taken to this end.

First, entirely depriving Indian tribes of their right to self-governance. American Indians had lived in tribal units over the years, and tribes had been their source of strength and spiritual support. The U.S. government forcibly abolished the tribal system and cast individual Indians into a white society with completely different traditions. Unable to find a job or make a living, the Indians became economically destitute, politically deprived, and socially discriminated against. They experienced great mental pain and a deep existential and cultural crisis. In the 19th century, the thriving Cherokee tribes enjoyed a material life almost comparable to frontier whites. Nevertheless, with their right to self-governance and their tribal system gradually abolished by the U.S. government, the Cherokee community quickly declined and became the poorest group among the indigenous people.

Second, they tried to destroy Indian reservations through land distribution and disintegrate their tribes. The Dawes Act passed in 1887 authorized the U.S. president to dissolve Indian reservations, abolish the tribal land ownership in the original reservations, and allocate land directly to Indians living inside and outside the reservations, forming a de facto land privatization system. The abolition of tribal land ownership disintegrated the American Indian communities and seriously undermined tribal authority. As the highest form of tribal unity, the traditional ritual "Sun Dance" was considered "heresy" and thus banned. Most of the land in the original reservations was transferred to the white people through auction; the Indians who were less prepared for farming lost their newly acquired land due to swindling, among other reasons, and their lives deteriorated by the day.

Third, taking steps to impose American citizenship on the Indians fully. Native Americans who were identified as mixed-race had to give up their tribal status, and others were "de-tribalized," which significantly damaged the Indian identity.

Fourth, eradicating the Indians' sense of community and tribal identity by adopting measures on education, language, culture, and religion and a series of social policies. Beginning with the Civilization Fund Act of 1819, the United States established or funded boarding schools nationwide, forcing Indian children to attend. According to a report by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, there have been altogether 367 boarding schools throughout the United States. By 1925, 60,889 Indian children had been forced to attend boarding schools. In 1926, 83% of Indian children were enrolled. The total number of students enrolled remains unclear to this day. Guided by the idea of "Kill the Indian, Save the Man," the United States banned Indian children from speaking their native language, wearing their traditional clothes, or carrying out traditional activities, thus erasing their language, culture, and identity in the Act of cultural genocide. Indian children suffered immensely at school; some died from starvation, disease, and abuse. This was followed by a "forced foster care" policy — children were forcibly placed in the care of whites, a continuation of the assimilation policy, and denial of cultural identity. These practices were not banned until 1978 the Indian Child Welfare Act was passed. In passing the Act, Congress acknowledged that many Indian children had been removed to non-Indian families and institutions without permission, resulting in the breakup of Indian families.

As renowned historians said, with the forced assimilation, one of the most despicable things in American history peaked. This was perhaps the most unfortunate chapter for Indians.

The Native American Reservation faces numerous challenges, including poverty, limited access to quality education, and inadequate healthcare services. These issues contribute to a sense of hopelessness within the community.

Poverty is pervasive on Native American Reservations, with high unemployment rates and limited economic opportunities. This lack of financial stability further exacerbates other challenges faced by the community.

Access to quality education is also a significant concern. Many schools on reservations struggle with underfunding and outdated resources, hindering students' ability to receive a well-rounded education. This lack of educational opportunities can perpetuate the cycle of poverty and limit future prospects for individuals within the community.

Inadequate healthcare services further compound the difficulties faced by Native Americans on reservations. Limited access to medical facilities and professionals often results in delayed or insufficient resident care. This can lead to worsened health outcomes and increased disparities in overall well-being.

Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive efforts from both government entities and society as a whole. Increased investment in infrastructure, job creation initiatives, and improved access to quality education are essential to providing hope and opportunities for Native Americans living on reservations. Additionally, prioritizing healthcare resources that are culturally sensitive and readily accessible can help alleviate some of the burdens this marginalized community faces.

We must recognize these issues and work towards creating sustainable solutions that empower Native Americans on reservations to overcome their hardships while preserving their unique cultural heritage.

Israeli Border Security-Fact or Myth?

 Israel is renowned for its world-leading technology in advanced border surveillance. With cutting-edge innovations and expertise, Israel has established itself as a frontrunner in border security.

With state-of-the-art technology, Israel has developed sophisticated systems and solutions to effectively monitor and secure its borders. These advancements include advanced surveillance cameras, sensors, drones, and intelligent software that enable real-time monitoring and analysis of potential threats.

The country's commitment to border security is evident in its continuous investment in research and development. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, Israel has enhanced its ability to detect intrusions, identify suspicious activities, and respond swiftly to potential risks.

The success of Israeli border surveillance technology extends beyond its borders. Many countries worldwide have recognized the value of Israeli expertise and have adopted or sought collaboration with Israeli companies for their own security needs.

In summary, Israel's advanced border surveillance technology stands at the forefront globally. Its commitment to innovation has positioned it as a leader in securing borders through cutting-edge solutions that leverage artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.

So, I would ask how a group of Palestinians with pickup trucks and ultralight planes kill hundreds of Israelis and take 200 hostages for seven hours, going undetected by the most advanced border technologies in the world.

Another question I would ask is why the Israeli government disarmed the communities along the Gaza border in early September?

What amazes me is that the United States sent warships to help Israel fight against a group of people with pickup trucks, ultralight planes, AK 47s, and a few rockets being knocked out of the sky with the Iron Dome. The people in Gaza do not even have a tank! Many of the people being killed in Gaza are children.

 Is the Israeli army so weak and incompetent that they cannot fight a group of people without the aid of the U.S. government? Have we been led to believe myths about the Israeli soldier? How can Israel go against Iran when they could not defend their border for seven hours against pickup trucks and ultralights?

It makes me wonder if the Israeli government wanted hundreds of their people to die so Gaza could be destroyed and land claimed for the government. What is happening in Gaza seems overkill for the Israeli government and the Biden administration.

I am not a supporter of Hamas or any terrorist organization that kills innocent women and children. That also includes the Israeli and U.S. governments. The killing of innocent children is never acceptable collateral damage. Maybe we need to rethink our support of a nation that kills its people.

My concern is with the number of military-age men crossing our southern border, are we being set up for terrorist attacks in our country? We are already seeing those who sympathize with Hamas protesting in the streets of America. How long will it be before we have terrorists killing innocent children in our country?

We have seen firsthand what an unsecured border has done in Israel; when will it happen here in America?

The Destruction of Gaza- Predicted Over 2000 Years Ago.

 I would be remiss if I did not speak about the events taking place in the Middle East. While the world has been focused on Russia and Ukraine, events in the Middle East are fulfilling Bible prophecy concerning end-time events. 

The Bible prophecy concerning the destruction of Gaza and Damascus is a topic that has captivated scholars and believers alike. The awe-inspiring nature of these prophecies leaves us in awe concerning the foresight found within Scripture. 

 According to biblical accounts, these prophecies predict the downfall and devastation of both Gaza and Damascus. The specific details outlined in these prophecies have astounded many, aligning with recent events unfolding throughout the past weeks. 

 As we delve into the intricacies of these prophecies, we are left awe-struck by their relevance and impact on our understanding of present events. The accuracy with which they describe the destruction and turmoil foretold for these ancient cities is genuinely remarkable. 

 Examining such prophetic passages gives us a deeper appreciation of the power and significance of end-time prophecies. These prophecies continue to spark curiosity, leaving us in awe of their ability to foreshadow events that would unfold centuries later.  In exploring this topic, we are reminded again of the timeless wisdom of sacred scriptures and their profound impact on our understanding of past, present, and future events. 

Please turn with me to chapter 2 of the Book of Zephaniah. Here, we have the judgment of Gaza. To put this in the present perspective, let us look at what is happening now. 

The Israeli military is going on the offense against Hamas with force "like never before," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed, more than 48 hours after a devastating and "surprising attack" that has left at least 900 people dead in Israel. 

In response, Israel has pounded the enclave with airstrikes. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's health ministry. 

Hamas said civilian hostages would be executed and the killings broadcast if Israel targets people in Gaza without warning. The group claims to hold over 100 hostages, including Israeli army officers. 

US President Joe Biden said at least 11 Americans were killed in the Hamas attacks, and others are likely being held as hostages. 

Who is Hamas 

Hamas is an Islamist militant movement and one of the Palestinian territories' two major political parties. It governs more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but the group is best known for its armed resistance to Israel. In October 2023, Hamas launched a massive surprise attack on southern Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers and taking dozens more as hostages. In response, Israel has declared war on the group and indicated its military is planning a long campaign to defeat it.  

Dozens of countries have designated Hamas a terrorist organization, though some apply this label only to its military wing. Iran provides it with material and financial support, and Turkey reportedly harbors some of its top leaders. Its rival party, Fatah, which dominates the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and rules in the West Bank, has renounced violence. The split in Palestinian leadership and Hamas's unwavering hostility toward Israel have diminished prospects for stability in Gaza. 

A spin-off of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1980s, the Islamist militant group Hamas took over the Gaza Strip after defeating its rival political party, Fatah, in elections in 2006. 

The United States and European Union have designated Hamas a terrorist organization because of its armed resistance against Israel, including suicide bombings and rocket attacks. 

Israel has declared war on Hamas following its surprise assault on southern Israel in 2023, the deadliest attack on the country in decades. 

One should ask why Hamas would strike Israel, knowing they would not win the war. The audacity and determination to attack Israel, despite the odds stacked against them, makes one ask the question: does Hamas care what happens to the people they represent? Knowing that victory may seem unattainable, one might wonder why they would embark on such a dangerous mission. However, it is essential to consider that Hamas operates under different circumstances and motivations. Their actions are driven by a deep-rooted hatred for their cause and an unwavering commitment to the destruction of Israel. While the odds may appear unfavorable, they are driven by a hatred that defies conventional logic. Hama's' attacks on Israel serve multiple purposes beyond simply achieving military victory. They aim to raise awareness about their grievances, assert their presence and resistance in the face of oppression, and galvanize support from both domestic and international audiences. If they can turn world opinion against Israel, they will have accomplished a significant victory. With the overkill response of Israel, world opinion is changing in favor of Hamas. Moreover, Hamas understands the power of asymmetrical warfare tactics. They leverage guerilla warfare strategies, such as rocket attacks and suicide bombings, to damage Israel's security infrastructure while evading confrontation with its formidable military forces. The Hamas leadership remains far removed from the destruction that is taking place in Gaza. While the Palestinian people are dying, the Hamas leadership safely hides away from the destruction. In essence, Hamaas' decision to attack Israel despite the apparent imbalance in power showcases their unwavering resolve and dedication to their cause. It is a testament to the depths of the hatred that drives them forward, even in seemingly impossible circumstances.

What does the Bible say about Gaza?  

First, look at what the LORD promised to do regarding judgment. 

The word of the LORD, which came to Zephaniah.

The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah: This first verse of the prophecy of Zephaniah sets it apart from most other prophets in that he told us both his time and his lineage. Zephaniah was an unusual prophet because he was of royal lineage, descending from the godly King Hezekiah. 

"I will utterly consume everything. From the face of the land," Says the LORD; "I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land," Says the LORD. 

 (4-6) Judgment is promised to idolaters. "I will stretch out My hand against Judah, AND against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, The names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests'

Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; Those who worship and swear oaths by the LORD, But who also swear by Milcom; Those who have turned back from following the LORD, and have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him." 

  Against Judah: The promise of judgment in Zephaniah 1:2-3 was broad enough to include the whole earth and to allow some to think that God did not mean them. Now, God focused on His people in the land of Judah, and He would not let them believe that He spoke just to others. 

God said: "Baal and the idols are going to go. You can get rid of them in righteousness, or I will get rid of them in judgment, but rest assured that they are going to go."  

Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD: God addresses the royalty of Judah in a way they aren't used to hearing. He tells them to "shut up" and listen to His pronouncement of judgment – a sacrifice of judgment made against a wicked nation. 

I will search Jerusalem with lamps: No one can hide against God's judgment. It is coming; even if God must get out the lamps or searchlights, He will find them. 

 "Unlike Diogenes, the pre-Christian Greek philosopher who was searching for an honest man, the LORD in this context does not seek righteousness but sin to punish and eradicate."

 Punish the men who are settled in complacency: The LORD promised judgment against those who felt that God was distant or detached from their lives and have thus become complacent. A Gallup survey in 2015 determined that 65% of Israelis say they are either "not religious" or "convinced atheists," while 30% say they are "religious". 

The LORD will not do good, nor will He do evil: Some people believe in God as a great "clockmaker" who created the universe, wound it up, and then left it ticking without any further intervention from Him. Those who believe there is no God, or if He is, He has nothing to do with man, are terribly and tragically wrong. 

  

The description of judgment. 

(14-16) The intensity of judgment. 

The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There, the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, A Day of trouble and distress, A Day of devastation and desolation, 

A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities And against the high towers. 

  

The great day of the LORD is near: The term day of the LORD (used more than 25 times in the Bible) does not necessarily refer to one specific day; it speaks of "God's time." The idea is that now is the day of man, but the day of man will not last forever. One day, the Messiah will end the day of man and bring forth the day of the LORD. That day is a day of wrath: It is a day of wrath because man will not give up without a fight and because mankind will receive the just penalty for his rebellion against the LORD. Zephaniah paints the picture powerfully with the repeated description, "a day of…" 

 . (17-18) The certainty of judgment. 

"I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD; Their blood shall be poured out like dust, And their flesh like refuse." Neither their silver nor their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the day of the LORD's wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured By the fire of His jealousy, For He will make speedy riddance Of all those who dwell in the land. 

I will… I shall: God wants to make it plain and sure that He will judge a rebellious Judah. If they do not repent, there will be no holding back from the completion of His judgment. 

 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them: Men trust in silver and gold, but it will do them no good on the day of God's judgment. 

 This is what the LORD has promised to do. 

The last chance. 

(1-2) Repent while there is still time. 

Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together undesirable nation, Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the LORD's fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger comes upon you!  

Gather yourselves together: The idea is to gather solemnly to demonstrate national mourning and repentance. Before the decree is issued: All the announcement of judgment in the previous chapter is understood as a warning and an invitation to repentance. The often-unwritten theme behind every prophecy of judgment is, "This is what will happen if you do not repent." Here, the prophet pleads with the nation to repent before it is too late. 

Before the day passes like chaff: Here, the prophet called for a sense of urgency in repentance. Each day passes like chaff, and there is nothing to show for the day if we neglect what is most important: getting right and staying right with God..  

How easy it is to let the days pass like chaff and never get right with God! Often, the devil's most potent lie isn't that there is no God, Bible, or truth – often, his most potent lie is that there is no hurry. Nevertheless, today is the day of salvation. 

The last chance. 

Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who has upheld His justice? Seek righteousness; seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden. In the day of the LORD's anger. 

Seek the LORD, all you meek: Even the righteous must heed this warning. It would do them no good to say, "The LORD speaks to my wicked neighbor and not me." Even the righteous must seek the LORD at a critical moment of national danger. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD's anger: In more than one place, God promises to hide His righteousness in the day of great judgment. This is especially relevant to the time of the Great Tribulation when Jesus warned us to Watch therefore and always pray that we may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happened and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36) 

Judgment against the nations. 

(4-7) Judgment against the Philistines. For Gaza shall be forsaken, And Ashkelon desolate; They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, And Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, The nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: "I will destroy you; So, there shall be no inhabitant." 

The seacoast shall be pastures, With shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks. The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; They shall feed their flocks there; In the houses of Ashkelon. They shall lie down in the evening. For the LORD, their God will intervene for them and return their captives. 

For Gaza shall be forsaken Judgment will come against an unrepentant Judah but also against the pagan nations neighboring Judah. God promises to destroy the cities of the Philistines and give their land as pasture for the remnant of the house of Judah. 

There is nothing we can do to stop what the LORD has set in motion. The LORD moved upon the prophet to tell us what is coming and to prepare us for the judgment of the LORD. The Synagogue of Satan will be destroyed. Judgment will fall upon the Edomites of Israel as well as the ungodly wicked deniers that Jesus is the Son of God. What is important is your soul is ready to meet the LORD.

  

  

  

  

  

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