Raising Sweet Savages - How my 18 month old and the prophet Zephaniah explained loving correction to my older children.

Apr. 15, 2008 - How my 18 month old and the prophet Zephaniah explained loving correction to my older children.

We had one of those moments in school today that was just so cool! We are studying the book of Zephaniah in school right now using Student of the Word. Today, we discussed the introduction and overview of the book of Zephaniah and listened to the 3 chapters on our audio Bible as we followed along.

If you're like me before today, you have no clue what Zephaniah is about. My favorite Bible verse is Zeph. 3:17 and I still didn't really know what the book is about before today. It is 3 chapters long. Chapter 1 basically talks about judgment and doom and gloom against Judah because of their complacency and lack of holiness. Chapter 2 Gives a call to repentance and the beginning of a glimmer of hope when he writes in verse 3, "Seek the Lord all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord."

Now that was a major glimmer of hope after reading chapter 1.

Finally, chapter 3 and the book, ends with a day of hope for the faithful remnant and finding joy in God's faithfulness.

It is interesting to note that this book was written during the time that King Josiah found the law and began instituting all the reforms of God that had been forgotten.

When the reforms began and they once again started obeying God and having a new relationship with Him...God rejoiced!

A neat analogy followed that discussion. As anyone with an 18 month old knows, there are training sessions at this age where mama has to win!!! Their future character depends on it. What might be a cute temper tantrum at 1 is not so cute at 5 or 12 or 18.

Needless to say, our children go through a kind of "toddler bootcamp" around this age, where when they fail to obey, we have a "training session" until they obey right away.

We have had a few of those in our house this week....mama vs Praise. I'm happy to say that I have won 3 for 3 so far. (and intend to keep my undefeated record)

One happened during our family time this week. I told toddler to sit in her chair --she turns her back to the chair and screams "NO" with her body language. You mama's know what I mean. After 20 minutes of me never losing my temper, her adamant that she will win...she finally throws in the towel and I see her begin to lift her knee to get in the kid-sized chair. Time stood still..the room was silent....yes! She climbed all the way in the chair and there was loud clapping and rejoicing from 7 of her biggest fans!!! She beamed and learned that it feels much better to obey than to disobey. We hugged and kissed and danced and it was a beautiful moment that I have been through with all my children around this age with great fruit of happy obedience. (eventually--I'm not gullible enough to think we've "arrived" with this sweetie--haha)

Moving on to how this relates to Zephaniah....God had to punish Judah for their pride and self-will. He was going to unleash His discipline. (chapter 1) (They continued to not want to sit in the toddler chair. ) God begins judgment...the book of the Law is found and they begin to realize that life would be better if they followed God afterall. (chapter 2) (toddler toys with idea of sitting in chair and begins to lift leg)

Finally, they submit to God, humble themselves and begin to follow His laws and live a life of righteousness!!! (Toddler sits in chair!!)

God rejoices over them with gladness and singing and quiets them with His love. (Zeph 3:17) (5 siblings, mom and dad clap and cheer and hug and praise her for her decision to obey and live righteously!! )

Now isn't that a neat analogy?