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-Please Read this FIRST- On this site we prefer to use the actual
Name of our loving Heavenly Father as it was written in the Word, and thus
you will note that we will use the Four Letter “Memorial Name”
of 
- YHVH, which is pronounced as YaHVaH
or YaHWaH. In addition we will also use our Heavenly Father’s
attribute/title, which is Elohim rather than “God,” which
sadly is the name of a pagan god. In addition we also love to use the actual
and real Name of our beloved Messiah which is 
- Yahushua or Yahshua in short, for
this is our Saviours original Hebrew Name as given to Him at birth in Lukas
- Luke 1:31. This was the only Name ever used when He was on the earth by His
family, disciples and His followers OVER THE centuries, even until today!
However, it was changed to a foreign name by the founder of the new
“pagan church of
When we read and study the blessed Scriptures, the Word of YHVH Elohim
as a believer in Yahushua the Messiah, we should keep the following three steps
always in mind for they are a valuable guide and it will certainly provide us
with guidance and illuminate the sheer beauty and the fullness of YHVH’s
most blessed Word.
1. Who was YHVH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, speaking to?
2. When was it said?
3. How was His Word understood at the time it was spoken/given?
I do believe that these three points are most relevant to our
understanding of 1. What the Almighty is saying at the time – 2. As
well as what it means to us today - and 3. Especially to you and me right now!
Zephaniah and His Treasure
By Ministry
Associate Teacher: Kosta Chazantonakis
Introduction:
What
would you desire above all the things contained in all the earth? Many would
ask for wealth and treasure to satisfy all their needs. Others would not even
be satisfied with this and will extend their list further to encompass power,
prestige, and great honour. With all this comes; pride and a desire to lord it
over other people.
Whereas
the treasure of YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, is the exact
opposite of what human nature tends to desire. You might ask then, “Well
what sort of treasure is that and why should I want it?”
The
Good News is that it is a treasure that is infinite in its abundance, it is
more precious than the finest gold, grandeur than the largest buildings, ocean
liners, air or spacecraft and monuments ever built by men, for it is totally
self-satisfying, and yet the hardest thing to hold on to for so many.
Secondly
seeking out this treasure has the greatest rewards to all who humble themselves
and strive to understand the Heavenly Father and apply His Decalogue (10
commandments) to themselves first, rather than to just follow their fellow
human beings on the principle; “Do as I do, no matter what. If it feels
good, it must be OK.”
Part One:
Before
we go on let us look at the first Chapter and verse of Tzefanyah – Zephaniah.
“The
Word of
YHVH
which came unto Tzefanyah - Zephaniah the
son of Cushi, the
son of Gedaliah, the
son of Amariah, the
son of Hezekiah, in
the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of
Judah.”
Tzefanyah - Zephaniah 1:1. … (1.
Italics are added words for clarification for English and other translations,
but they are not in the original Hebrew, nor required – 2. Bold names are
listed below but using their Hebrew Names).
Did you notice that the very first Word that is used
in the Hebrew of Tzefanyah - Zephaniah is “Davar,” which means
“Word” and it is joined to the next word, being the Name - YaHVaH.
We need to understand that it is this sequence of these two words that provides
one of the most powerful commands given in any context, for no one can alter it
or take it away. That decisive – “The Word of YHVH”
statement proclaims the beginning and end, prophecy, warning, Messiah and
Salvation with judgments to come!
YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, talks
about sin, in the first chapters, and the consequence and retribution of disobedience
to His Word.
It is also very interesting for us to understand the
meaning of all the names given in this book - Below I have used the Hebrew
spellings;
Tzefanyah = “YaHVaH has treasured.”
Kushi = “their
blackness”
Ge’dal’yah
= “YaHVaH is great.”
Amaryah = “YaHVaH speaks.”
Chiz’ki’yah
= “YaHVaH is my
strength.”
Yoshiyahu = “whom YaHVaH heals”
Amon = “skilled
workman” or “master workman.”
Yehudah = “praised.”
I have found that there is very
specific reasons for names in the Scripture, as you have seen when all of the
meanings of the names are placed in a sentence for when we are reading this now
in our languages; sadly we have lost the real meaning that lays hidden beneath
the blessed Words of YaHVaH Elohim.
Here is the interpretation;
“YaHVaH speaks” to us
of His treasure even unto the furthest corners of the earth touching even the
darkest things hidden in man’s souls, “He is Great.” When He
speaks you have His “strength,” and you are “healed,”
when you dwell as master over your own body and by repentance, when you
“praise Him” with all your heart and soul and might. Only then, can
you become “His treasure.”
“I will utterly consume all
things from off the land, declares
YHVH.” Tzefanyah - Zephaniah 1:2.
YaHVaH
wipes all things from the face of the earth. You may well ask the question,
why?
“I
will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the
fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off
man from off the land, declares YHVH.” Tzefanyah - Zephaniah
1:3.
The
Almighty is indeed angry at humanity’s defiance to Him, for as it was
then, as it is now. When He consumes He will gather first all that is of the
same species, then He links them together by two, as a witness of the evil of
men and what men rely upon. The Hebrew word for “beast” is
“behemah” and it means cattle as owned and used by man. Next he consumes the fowls of the air and fish of the sea
again by two, the second witness of what men rely upon for food.
Then
He names the sin the stumbling blocks with the wicked; again He has linked
these words together the third witness.
The
path of life is sustained by a food chain summarized above. Did Yahushua not
say that “man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes
out of the mouth of Elohim”? Are we not to search our life and to subdue
first ourselves, and then we will be rewarded with life. But to deny our
Creator the one Who gives us life, He will deny us life and withdraw all life
sustained by His Word to man and to the soil of the earth. He then cuts off man
the last act by destroying natures food chain. He now turns His hand to the
land, and even the land turns against man.
“I
will also stretch out mine hand upon
Part Two:
The
first part of this chapter deals with all of humanity at large spread over the
entire earth. The second part now refocuses on Judah and all the inhabitants of
Elohim’s supremacy over
Baal is constantly affirmed. However man’s preoccupation from then until
this day is rather with power, sex and technology, than with devotion to the
almighty Elohim of history, Who is also the covenant Elohim.
“And them
that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and
that swear by YHVH, and that swear by Malcham - Molech. And them that are
turned back from YHVH; and those that have not sought the YHVH, nor enquired
for Him.” Tzefanyah - Zephaniah 1:5-6.
So
begins the descent into depravity, worshipping everything under the Heavens and
above the heavens and I do mean NASA and those who believe in reading the stars
for their future, etc, even those who say they are following YaHVaH, but
secretly never knew Him and they who worship false gods; and to those who once
knew Him but turned their backs on Him; and those who never sought or enquired
of Him filling themselves with the riches of this world be it for money, sex,
drugs, embracing evolution, anything and everything but HE Who IS the source of
LIFE and Yahushua the Messiah Who is our Salvation!
Thus,
dear reader, may I ask - where do you stand with YaHVaH and the Messiah? There
is always a choice the one who offers Life or He that offers the road to death!
Let us
look at Tzefanyah - Zephaniah 1:6:
“Those
who have turned back from following YHVH, and have not sought YHVH, nor inquired of Him.”
Verse 6.
There
are two very interesting words contained in this verse “sought”
and “enquired”,
thus let us delve further and deeply into these two words!
The root word used for
“sought” or “seek” in Hebrew is “baqash,” which means a
person who is earnestly seeking or looking into something or someone that exists
or is thought to exist. The objective is to come to a result and for what you
are looking for to be found or acquired. “Baqash” is rooted
in the concept expressed in Davarim - Deuteronomy.
“But from
there you will seek YHVH your Elohim and you will find Him if you search for
Him with all your heart and all your soul.” Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:29.
This
“seeking” ultimately finds its goal in YaHVaH Elohim and
immediately in His covenantal provisions and requirements.
“Seek
YHVH, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; Seek
righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the
YHVH’s anger.” Tzefanyah - Zephaniah 2:3.
Since
false prophets direct “seekers” away from the Almighty depriving
them from the wonderful life they could have, they are marked for capital
punishment.
“When
anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none.” Yechehel
– Ezekiel 7:25.
His
counsel and His word, was in vain since His people at that time did not seek
Him with pure hand and a clean heart. As we are to emulate His ways, thus
when you “seek,” you are to desire it above everything else,
something you wish above all material things. Therefore the energy you have
spent to seek out your desires in the flesh should be the same, if not a
greater desire, energy and will power to seek out your desires in the Spirit.
If
you do not seek out YaHVaH Elohim and Yahushua, who is THE true
Messiah, with great passion and desire, you will fail and be deceived in
your walk with Him. Let us learn from history as the following verses Yechehel - Ezekiel 7:26-27 so clearly teaches us!
“Disaster
will come upon disaster and rumour will be added to rumour; then they will seek
a vision from a prophet, but the Law will be lost from the priest and counsel
from the elders. The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with horror,
and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. According to their
conduct I will deal with them, and by their judgments I will judge them. And
they will know that I am YHVH.” Yechehel - Ezekiel 7:26-27.
The root word used for the second word in Tzefanyah - Zephaniah 1:6 is “enquired” or “seek”
in Hebrew is “darash,” which means seek, to
resort to, seek with idea of demanding, require with lost sheep. Inquire,
investigate, to inquire about; ask for, require, demand, exact, with idea of
avenging. Seek with application, study, follow, practice.. Seek with care, care
for.. Let oneself be inquired of, consulted, only of YaHVaH be sought out, be
required of blood
“Seek
good and not evil, that you may live; and thus may the YHVH Elohim of hosts be
with you, just as you have said!” Amnos - Amos 5:14
The
word “darash” “inquire” differs to
“baqash” “sought” in these ways.
Darash is the end result of obtaining the outcome outside of oneself from
YaHVaH. These can be divided into these categories. All Bold letters in English
comes from the Hebrew word Darash set below:
1…
Firstly you have to let oneself be
consulted, understanding that whatever the outcome maybe from YaHVaH you will have to do it.
This is the deciding step whether you will be obedient or not. The next
step from here is to place His words into action, from what you have learnt,
which is another Hebrew word and that we have covered elsewhere in other
studies.
2… To seek a word from YaHVaH.
“Moreover,
Jehoshaphat said to the king of
To
be able to ask for assistance from a reputable person who can inquire on behalf
of yourself to YaHVaH Elohim, or directly from the Yahushua THE Messiah.
Usually the answer is not the one we were looking for as His Word always tends
to challenge the seeker!
3-a… To study and interpret.
“For Ezira
– Ezra had set his heart to study the law of
YaHVaH, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in
Here
we see that darash means study but the underlying meaning is to study
with enquiring that your knowledge is not based on oneself, but on
Elohim’s understanding transmitted to you, then for you to place it into
practice, to teach what you have learnt and to pass it on to others. The full
Hebrew word for study or exposition is called “midrash.”
3-b… To read repeatedly, study; beat (a path), discuss, practise in.
“The
wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek
Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no Elohim." Tehillim - Psalm
10:4.
Further
to the above by reading and studying His words, going over and over in our
minds until a path is formed. Hopefully a path that the Almighty desires us to
be on where we can practise and discuss with others those blessed things we
have been taught.
But
not so for those whose thoughts remain and say that … “There is no
God (Elohim).” Tragically the wicked will
emulate the verse above and repeat the lies they have learned, for they
have fleshly minds, meaning that the path they have chosen is the path of destruction
for it does not bring any, or lead others to our heavenly Father, only lost
souls unto destruction if they are foolish enough to heed to them!
4…
Finally, our root darash is used of divine vengeance on those who take a
life. Elohim will diligently seek restitution “a life for a life.”
In at least one instance this stipulation is evoked and divinely executed.
“So
(king) Shaul - Saul died for his trespass which he committed against YHVH,
because of the word of YHVH which he did not keep; and also because he asked
counsel of a medium (a fortune teller or witch), making inquiry of
it and did not inquire of YHVH. Therefore He (YHVH) killed him, and
turned the kingdom to Dovid - David the son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 .
For He who requires
blood remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.”
Tehillim - Psalm 9:12.
To
fail in declaring Elohim’s work puts a “shepherd” (a
minister/pastor) under this divine sentence.
'But if the
watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are
not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in
his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman's
hand.” Yechehel
- Ezekiel 33:6.
Ultimately,
Elohim requires justice, loving kindness, and a humble walk
He has told
you, O man, what is good; and what does the YHVH require of you but to
do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” Micha – Micah
6:8.
Therefore what then is the treasure of Tzefanyah
– Zephaniah? … It is found in Zephaniah 3:14-20.
Instead
of Sorrow, there is a Shout of Joy; Instead of Mourning and Lamenting,
there is Rejoicing and Exultation; Instead of His Judgments, there is Redemption;
Instead of Enemies- there are Friends, such as the King of kings and YaHVaH
Elohim will live in your temple (body; Instead of Fear and Disaster, there
will be Peace and Tranquillity; Instead of Emptiness “YHVH your
Elohim is in your midst”; Instead of Defeat, you are a Victorious
Warrior; Instead of Hate, you are filled with His Love; Instead of
Shame, there is Praise and Renown in all the earth; Instead of
Scattering, Elohim Gathers His Children together; Instead of Curse and
Abhorrence, you will be of “Renown and Praise among all the peoples of
the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” Says
the YaHVaH.
Therefore
I pray that you, beloved reader are able to seek out YaHVaH Elohim and our
beloved Saviour Yahushua THE Messiah and that your conduct is free from your
own judgements of stubbornness, pride and the lack of humility.
We
should be able to learn from our own mistakes otherwise we will relive and
repeat the past until that day comes and it will and His judgements will fall
upon ALL who have not returned unto Him in Spirit and in Truth, and have
repented and have been washed clean of their sins, all because Yahushua was
… “our Passover, who was sacrificed for us.” 1
Corinthians 5:7.
Remember
His words in Davarim - Deuteronomy;
“And you shall
love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all
your might.” Davarim - Deuteronomy 6:5
In
this Scripture, through Moshe – Moses, our beloved Heavenly Father YaHVaH
Elohim gives us the recipe on how to go about it. Obviously it is up to us on
how we act on it. But the sad truth is that for many it is painful, for this
kind of love and devotion goes against the flesh of humanity that we are
clothed in. But beloved, believe me, the reward is the most precious thing in
the Universe: as YaHVaH Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, He is the maker
of everything and He will fill you with His most beautiful treasure, His Love. Then you will be truly at one with Him
and great will be your reward!
“Great is your REWARD in HEAVEN!”
Mattityahu - Matthew 5:12.
“Teach me Your way, O YHVH. I will walk in Your truth.
UNITE MY HEART TO FEAR YOUR NAME!”
May YHVH Elohim bless and keep you
in the palm of His hand always, in Messiah Yahushua’s loving Name!
Ministry founder, elder & teacher: Reuben
ben Gershom.
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