Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

I admit I do not read the minor prophets very often. I must admit  I was unaware of messages like this. I will spend more time with these lesser known messengers. My heart is lifted up.

Zephaniah 1:1The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

The Word came to Zephaniah at a time when things were not as good as they are today.

But are things any better? My urge to even ask that question is my problem. I am not a minor prophet that has been given a word of warning about bad behavior. My calling ia to tell everyone about the good news.

Love is the answer. What is the question?

What did Jesus say about the social injustices of His time?

Matthew 22:21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

What shall we render unto God? Love and devotion.

What about social equality?

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

We are all equal in Christ. Come and join us.

What of injustice?

Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

I am hated without cause.

No one knew that any better than Jesus. He understands every human emotion but that did not stop Him from sacrificing Himself to set you free.

I am free, I do whatever I want. Then you are a slave to your desires.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Here is good advice that is often overlooked. We want to be right about important matters, but what makes any matter foolish? One side will insist that a matter is important and the other will disagree.

Some matters have not been resolved over the last 2,000 years. It is unwise of us to think that we can resolve those issues alone. Some of us have been in the faith for decades and have experience in which issues are arguable and which ones are a matter of faith.

Galatians 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

When we insist that others believe what we believe we are making a law unto ourselves and those laws will not justify us any more than the ones written in Torah.

Psalm 61:6-8 English Standard Version

6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! 7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 8 So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.

Jesus is the King who sits on the throne. The only vows we are sworn to keep are the ones we make to Him. 

Romans 14:22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

My understanding of this passage is personal, as is faith. I will not insist that others keep a vow I have made to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Giving reason for this belief by faith has a point that others might disagree with. I approve of your right to believe by faith an opinion other than my own. That does not say I approve of sin but some will see it that way. I know that because I have heard that very argument.

I defer to Titus 3:9 and choose not to attack another on any issue that is a personal vow to my King. We answer to Him, not each other. 

Deuteronomy 23:21 “If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.”

Maybe this is why Jesus encourages us not to make a vow at all.  Matthew 5:34