CHAPTER 2

1 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; 2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger come upon you. 3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.

The "decree" of the destruction of the nation had been made and it would soon happen. As proof of the decree being heard, people were gathering in a more concentrated population in Jerusalem and the surrounding area.

People will seek to be gathered with their friends before repenting. The alcoholic will get together with those who drink. The drug addict will seek solace in his fellow "druggies." The pride-filled will seek gossipers, boasters and liars. Why is it that convicted sinners seek other sinners instead of repenting? Because they want to compare themselves with other people rather than to see themselves in the light of God's truth! When we compare ourselves with others, we are seeking a "level playing field." We want to be able to say, "I'm just as good as...." But in order to be saved, we must look UP!

Once, an old Indian chief was speaking of Jesus to some young boys. They were not understanding the principle of repentance. So the old chief built a small ring of dry grass on the ground. Then he put a caterpillar in the middle of the ring. Then he struck a match and lit the dry grass. The ring began to burn all around the caterpillar. The worm first went East, then West, then North, then South. But no escape was found. Then the worm went to the center of the ring, and raised the front half of his body toward the sky. When he did, the old chief put down his finger and the caterpillar climbed to safety.

These people were now a "nation not desired." They had been the "chosen ones" of God, but now He no longer wanted them to be "ambassadors" of His grace, mercy and eternal salvation. They had refused God's offer of salvation by repentance. They had brought shame to His Name by apathetic religiosity and corruption of truth in worshipping idols.

But there were a "few" who still genuinely loved the Lord. Through the gathering of themselves together, they could see the horror. And the "meek" (vs 3) would seek God and be saved from His wrath.

The word "meek" means lowly, humble, poor, self-disciplined. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:3, 5)

In today's world, we must be humble and lowly enough to realize that we are never good enough to save ourselves. And we must be self-disciplined enough to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in order to escape the destruction of our souls.

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. 5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. 6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. 7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.

The people of the Philistine country would be destroyed in this same Babylonian invasion; as well as, those who lived among the Southern borders of the Philistine country. The reason? "The word of the Lord is against you!"

The "Word of the Lord" is against ALL those who refuse Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus Himself said, "He that is not WITH me is AGAINST me." (Matthew 12:30)

Sometimes I wonder if we have explained the truth of hell implicitly. Hell is a place of constant eternal destruction. We have been given eternal existence by God. Those who refuse His salvation shall suffer CONSTANT, ETERNAL destruction.

8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border. 9 Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them. 10 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts. 11 The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.

The Moabites inhabited the land East of the Dead Sea, for some distance to the North of that sea, and some distance to the South of it. The Ammonites inhabited land also to the East of Jordan, and to the North of Moab. Both of these people groups had persecuted the Israelites.

There are those who shamefully treat the "Church of Jesus Christ" today. Seeking self-justification, they produce gossip about the people of God, and scorn the inheritance of Jesus Christ.

Just as Moab and Ammon were destroyed, so shall all those who refuse Christ and shamefully treat His people. "Pride" will be their own downfall.

12 Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword. 13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness. 14 And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. 15 This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.

In the Old Testament, Ethiopia refers to the country South of Egypt, and Assyria referred to the area North of Ammon. Nineveh was a proud city which boasted the production of such kings as Sennacherib and Esarhaddon.

Today, Nineveh is completely lost as a city. The land on which it stood is now used to graze sheep.

One great day, our Lord will destroy all this earth. Nothing shall remain. A "new earth" will be produced upon which ONLY those who have surrendered to Jesus will dwell. ((See Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, 2Peter 3:13, and Revelation 21:1))

Lesson: pride-filled, idolatrous people shall have no part of Christ's eternal kingdom. As surely as the prophecy has been fulfilled, it SHALL be fulfilled.

Do not look for a "level playing field;" look UP! For "your redemption draweth nigh!" (Luke 21:28)

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.