Editor’s note: Zondervan’s new NIV Application Bible is filled with study notes, original meaning notes, applications, Character of God, and Questions for Growth, maps, and so much more. (Check out all the resources for the NIV Application Bible here.) Today, we’re sharing two People to Know articles included in the NIV Application Bible. Enjoy!
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Jude 1-4
Jude was a half brother of Jesus, along with James. Jude had the remarkable privilege of growing up alongside Jesus. This did not make him an immediate believer in Christ, however. When Jesus’ popularity as a teacher increased, His family accused Him of being out of His mind (Mark 3:21). John 7:5 also states that, at the point in Jesus’ ministry, His own brothers did not believe in Him. This would include James and Jude.
Like James, Jude did not come to believe that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, as evidenced by his teaching in the NT book that bears his name. In the superscription of the book, Jude introduces himself as a brother of James and a servant of Jesus (Jude 1).
Jude’s letter addresses living as faithful Christians in a sinful world, especially when others are intent on perverting God’s grace into a license for immortality (Jude 4). Jude describes such people with various metaphors and OT analogies. He calls them fruitless trees that are uprooted, thus twice dead.
In view of troubles around them,
Jude urges readers to build themselves up in faith and to keep themselves in God’s love.
He ends his letter with a glorious doxology to God, who will keep believers from stumbling and will present them without fault and with great joy before His glorious presence.
APPLICATION
God opened Jude’s heart to the truth that his half brother was the Messiah and Savior of the world. This was probably not easy for Jude, as he had literally at one time thought Jesus was out of His mind (see Mark 3:20-21). Perhaps you have had your own stumbling blocks in your journey of faith that have made it difficult to believe in Christ. Jude’s testimony shows that God can open your heart, by grace and faith, so that you can come to know and love Jesus as Lord. Some of the world’s most powerful evangelists have been men and women who were transformed from their unbelief and later brought Jesus’ message to the masses.
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People to Know: Zephaniah
Zephaniah 3:9-20
Zephaniah was a prophet. He lived around the same time as Jeremiah, during the reign of King Josiah, who brought about spectacular religious reforms in Judah. Zephaniah ministered during a spiritually active time in the life of Israel.
Zephaniah described himself as the great-great-grandson of Hezekiah (Zephaniah 1:1) and many believe this is the same Hezekiah who was king of Judah. If so, Zephaniah was closely related to the kings of Judah.
Despite the positive spiritual reforms enacted by King Josiah, Zephaniah’s prophecy predicted total devastation. He began with a jarring message from God:
I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth. — Zephaniah 1:2
Like the prophet Joel, Zephaniah foresaw the impending and frightful day of the Lord.
Clearly not everyone in Judah shared the devout heart of King Josiah. Zephaniah decried idolatry and spiritual complacency in the people. He chastised those who held to the vain hope that their wealth would keep them secure. Zephaniah extended the message of judgement beyond Israel’s borders, but his longest prophesies pointed at the city of Jerusalem itself (Zephaniah 3:1-8).
Shockingly, Zephaniah closed his message with God’s beautiful promise to restore a faithful remnant. The prophet envisioned God taking delight in his beloved people, even rejoicing over them with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
APPLICATION
Zephaniah warns us against becoming complacent in our faith. He describes certain people around him who think that God is inactive, never doing anything at all (Zephaniah 1:12). Similarly, 2 Peter 3:4 speaks of those who think the world keeps turning with no sign that God will do anything — so people may as well do whatever they want.
Not so, Zephaniah warns. God is not asleep, and God will hold evil accountable. Zephaniah’s message should encourage us to nurture our faith, not let it languish. It should anchor us upon the hopeful future promised by a God who delights so much in His people that He rejoices over them with singing.
Excerpted with permission from NIV Application Bible, copyright Zondervan.
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Your Turn
Don’t let your faith slip. Stay passionate for Jesus! Even those who were extremely unlikely to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior saw who He is and left their unbelief behind. Remember, God loves you so much that He sings over you! ~ Devotionals Daily