THE 4-FOLD PATH TO WOE

ZEPHANIAH 3:1-

Pastor Rick Jackson


I. FAIR WARNING [v. 1]

1. Woe to the Filthy - speaks of rebellious pride, self- will [Job 39:18]

What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.

2. Woe to the Polluted - speaks of defiling oneself [Daniel 1:8]

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Malachi 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

3. Woe to the Oppressor - [Exodus 22:21]

Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Leviticus 19:33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
Leviticus 25:14 And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another:
Leviticus 25:17 Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the LORD your God.

II. FOUR FAILURES [v. 2]

1. Failure to Obey the Voice of God [Haggai 1:12]

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
Zechariah 6:15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

2. Failure to Received Correction [Jeremiah 7:28]

But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Jer17:23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
Jeremiah 32:33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
Jeremiah 35:13 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.

3. Failure to Trust in the Lord [Proverbs 3:5-8]

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

4. Failure to Draw Near to God [James 4:8]

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Basically two sins of Commission [shutting their ears to God and turning their backs on Him] and two sins of omission [failing to trust and failing to draw near].

III. FINAL WORDS [1 Corinthians 10]

1. Be Aware [v. 1-6]

2. Be Warned [v. 7-12]

3. Be Wise [v. 13-15]