The Book of Zephaniah
Dr. Stanford E. Murrell
Student’s Study Guide
Human Author: Zephaniah
Date of writing: c. 640 BC
Key Thought:
The Day of the Lord
Key Verse:
Introduction.
Zephaniah
ministered before the Babylonian captivity began in 586 BC and not long before
Jeremiah, who lived at the time of the captivity. The prophet predicts the
general destruction of
The
outline of the book is simple.
·
Chapter 1 Judgment upon
·
Chapter 2 Judgment upon the Nations
·
Chapter 3 Judgment upon
ZEPHANIAH 1
Judgment on
1 The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah [Jehovah hath hidden]
the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah [Jehovah is great], the son of Amariah
[Jehovah hath said], the son of Hizkiah [strengthened of Jehovah], in the days
of Josiah [Jehovah supports] the son of Amon [faithful], king of
1:1 Little is known about
the prophet Zephaniah except for what he shares about himself in this verse.
His heritage is traced through four generations.
·
Zephaniah was the son of Cushi
·
Cushi was the son of Gedaliah
·
Gedaliah was the son of Amariah
·
Amariah was the son of Hezekiah. This means that Zephaniah was a
great-great grandson of king Hezekiah. While “not
many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Cor.
1:1 The ministry of
Zephaniah began during the days of Josiah (640 – 608 BC) the son of Amon, king
of
2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
1:2 Zephaniah speaks of a judgment soon to fall first upon Judah and then upon Jerusalem. The northern ten tribes had already been carried into Assyria nearly a century before, c. 721 BC.
3 I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven,
and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks [idols] with the wicked;
and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.
1:3 Though God will use greed and other wicked impulses of the human heart as instruments in His hand of discipline, the Lord takes responsibility for the pain and suffering the nation of Israel is about to suffer. Not only man but also the beasts, the fowls of the air and the fish of the sea would know the effects of divine wrath for there is cursing by association.
4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this
place, and the name of the Chemarims [ascetics] with the priests;
1:4 The reason for this utter desolation can be traced to the worship of Baal. The priests of Baal called the Chemarims dressed in black reflecting the darkness of their hearts.
5 And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them
that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;
1:5 The coming judgment would also fall upon the worshipers of the heavenly bodies along with those who professed to follow the Lord but whose profession was false. There is an abiding attempt to mingle worldly and sensual ideas and thoughts with the worship of God. Such efforts must be challenged. There is a pure religion that must be kept. Professing Christians who read astrology and dabble in the occult or accept the false teaching of cult leaders should take heed to the prophetic word of Zephaniah.
1:5 Malcham (the great king), is identified
with Molech, a pagan god to which human sacrifices were made.
6 And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.
1:6 There were two classes of people to be judged. There were some who had responded to the gospel message only to turn back. Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Others had not even sought the Lord nor cared to know the mind of God in personal matters. All will perish in the coming judgment.
7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the
LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his
guests.
1:7 “The day of the Lord”
is an expression that finds both a near and far fulfillment. In context the
reference was to the Babylonian conquest. The ultimate day of the Lord is the
time of His second advent. 2 Peter 3:10 explains what will happen. “But the
day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent
heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I
will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed
with strange apparel.
1:8 Neither high social class rank nor princely priveldges shall allow individuals to be exempt from divine judgment when it comes. Foreign dignitaries dressed in strange apparel will also be caught up in the momentous events.
9 In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the
threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
1:9 Individuals guilty of covetousness and violence
will come under judgment. Those who are willing to take by force or deceit what
belongs to others will not go unnoticed or unpunished.
10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.
1:10 There were several main gates in the wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem.
Name Alternative Name
·
Mercy Gate Golden Gate
·
Damascus Gate
·
Herod’s Gate Flower Gate
·
Jaffa Gate Gate of
Hebron
·
Lion’s Gate
·
Dung Gate
·
Zion’s Gate Prophet
David’s
·
Haggai’s Gate Valley Gate
11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut
down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
1:10 –11 With the coming of judgment comes the disruption of commerce. The merchants will be murdered and those who handle money will be destroyed. Because of the uncertainties of life the Christian is exhorted to be content with food and raiment and to owe no man anything but love (1 Tim. 6:8; Rom. 13:8).
12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem
with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in
their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
1:12 Not only will the Lord seek to discipline those who engage in false worship, He will seek out with a lighted lamp those who promote agnosticism and atheism. Those who ridicule the idea of divine providence will be made to acknowledge there is a God and He is not silent. The universal Laws of nature are suspended as the Law Maker uses them for His own purposes.
13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a
desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall
plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
1:13 When God moves in judgment He gives the
possessions of one people as booty to another. Homes become desolate as
individuals flee in fear to a place of safety. The enemy comes to inhabit homes.
Ripe vineyards ready to produce wine to drink will find others drinking the
vintage. When God power and hatred against sin is not honored then He will
manifest His fury.
14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly,
even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
1:14 The excitement of the prophet grows as he declares the Day of Judgment is near, very near and with hast comes like a driver in a chariot lashing his team of horses. The strongest of individuals shall soon cry out in anguish and with bitter tears.
15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of
wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and
thick darkness,
16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and
against the high towers.
1:15-16 In the day of judgment no refuge will be
found. There is no cave deep enough and no fence high enough to protect a
person from the avenging hand of Divine discipline.
17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind
men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured
out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
1:17 The Babylonians will instill emotional fear and mental anguish into the hearts of the people. Like the blind leading the blind all will fall because they have sinned against the Lord. The wages of sin is death. There is spiritual death in eternity and physical death in time. The stench of free flowing blood and rotting carcass that smell worse than dung indicates how odious sin is to God.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
1:18 In the day of judgment
individuals cannot beg, bargain or buy their way out of a desperate situation.
God is not like a a man who can be negotiated with.
He is the Sovereign of the soul and the Righteous Ruler of the universe.
1:18 By way of personal
application to the church today the ancient words of warning are still valid.
There is another “day of the Lord” for Jesus is coming
again (Heb. 9:28). The last warning to
mankind has been issued. Now the world is to know, the “day of the Lord so
cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thess 5:2). There are no more signs to
be fulfilled. Any day could literally be the last day of human history.
Skeptics may scoff and ask what is the sign of his coming “for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:4).
The simple reply for the Christian is to say to the unbeliever, “I have just two words for you, ‘Don’t die’.” That is the best response. Just tell the unbeliever not to die without Christ, without repenting for if the Christian message is true they will die without hope and without eternal life. Tell them also that grace always precedes judgment. Flee to Christ and live!
“Crown Him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him
who died for thee,
and hail Him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.”
Matthew Bridges
~*~
Questions and Answer on
Zephaniah 1
1. When did Zephaniah minister?
Answer.
2. What two classes of people
found themselves the object of divine wrath?
Answer.
3. Identify the Chemarims and
Malcham.
Answer.
4. Define “the day of the
Lord.”
Answer.
5. What are the stumbling
blocks of Zephaniah 1:3.
Answer.
Personal Application and
Reflection
1. Do you believe that prophecy
can have a near and far fulfillment? Explain
2. Is it wrong for Christian to
read daily horoscopes? Why or why not?
3. Is the principle of cursing
by association moral? Is God unjust to include the innocent in discipline that
is destined for a particular people?
4. In what ways do people today
mix false religious idea with true worship of God? Be specific in your
examples.
5. Does the threat of impending
judgment change many hearts? Did it change yours prior to salvation? Has it
changed any person you know?
Hiding God’s Word in My
Heart
Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of the LORD is
near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD:
the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Leader’s Study Notes
1: 10 Nehemiah mentions several gates in the city of
Jerusalem.
·
The Sheep Gate, also known as Stephen's Gate, or the Lions Gate (Nehemiah
3:1,32, 12:39), is located on the east wall, north of the Temple Mount.
·
The Fish Gate was an ancient gate on the east wall, just west of the Gihon
spring, where men gathered to sell fish, sometimes in violation of the Sabbath
(2 Chronicles 33:14, Nehemiah 3:3, 13:16). It may be the same as the Middle
Gate (Jeremiah 39:3).
·
The Old Gate, or Jeshanah Gate, was located at the northwest corner of the
city during the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:6)
·
The Valley Gate, overlooked the Kidron Valley (Nehemiah 3:13)
·
The Beautiful Gate, near the Temple Mount, where Peter healed a man "in “the
Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (Acts 3:1-10)
· The Golden Gate was located on the east wall
adjacent to the Temple Mount. Originally constructed by the Byzantines, it was
later sealed by Muslims to "block the future path of the Messiah into
Jerusalem."
·
The Dung Gate was one of the 12 or so gates that existed at the time of
Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:14). It was located at the southwest corner of the wall,
and used for the disposal of garbage and dung. It led out to the Valley of
Hinnom.
·
The Fountain Gate was located at the southeast corner of the wall (Nehemiah 3:15).
·
The Zion Gate was on the south wall, overlooking Mount Zion.
·
The Water Gate (Nehemiah 3:26).
·
The Horse Gate was located between the Water Gate and the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah
3:28).
·
The East Gate (Nehemiah 3:29).
·
The Inspection Gate (Nehemiah 3:31).
·
The Jaffa Gate on the west wall.
·
The New Gate on the west wall just north of the Jaffa Gate.
·
The Damascus Gate on the north wall. Saul of Tarsus may have left the city
through this gate on his fateful journey to immortality on the road to
Damascus..
·
Herod's Gate on the north wall, just east of the Damascus Gate.
ZEPHANIAH 2
Judgment on the Nations
1 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not
desired;
2:1 In the first three
verses the attitude of God toward Judah has changed. It is no longer a desired
nation. It is no longer beautiful in the sight of the Lord. Polluted by sin the
people are now fit for judgment.
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.
2:2 - 3 “Seek ye the Lord”. Though ripe for judgment where sin abounds grace does much more abound. In grace God summons the elect to gather together. The godly are identified.
· The godly seek the Lord.
· The godly keep His commandments.
· The godly seek righteousness.
· The goodly seek meekness.
2:3 “Ye shall be hid.” The Lord has often been pleased to bring His faithful people through periods of great tribulation, not by translating them from the world but by divine faithfulness in meeting their every need no matter how dark the days..
Judgment on Philistia: 2:4-7
4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall
drive out Ashdod at the noon day [unexpected time], and Ekron shall be rooted
up.
2:4 Gaza (ga'-zah; strong), was the last town in the SW of Palestine. It was predicted that Gaza would be forsaken and that the king should die. Alexander the Great took the city in 332 BC after it resisted for two month. He bound Betis the satrap to a chariot and dragged him around the city and then executed 10,000 of its citizens and sold the rest as slaves.
2:4 Ashkelon (ash'-ke-lon; starting point; migration) was one of the five major cities of the Philistines (Judg. 14:19). A seaport city it was located on the Mediterranean, twelve miles N of Gaza. Zechariah (9:5) predicted the destruction of Ashkelon, as did Zephaniah. Despite the administration of divine judgment a remnant of citizens survived. Herod the Great was born in the city.
2:4 Ashdod (ash'-dod; fortified place;
a castle; a stronghold), was one of the five major cities of the Philistines.
The cities were at the height of their power during the days of Saul (c. 1020
BC).
2:4 Ekron (ec'-ron; extermination), was located 11 miles from Gath. It was assigned to Judah and to Dan (Josh. 15:45,46; Judges 1:18) and to Dan (Josh. 19:43). Prior to the monarchy it was again inhabited by the Philistines (1 Sam. 5:10). The prophets spoke against the city (Jer. 25:20; Amos 1:8).
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.
2:5 Cherethites (ker'-e-thites; Carians or Cretans), refers to the men of Philistia who served as bodyguards for David (2 Sam. 8:18; 15:18; 1 Kings 1:38,44). The descendants of this nation, which dwelt in the S area of Canaan, came from Crete (1 Chron. 18:17; Ezek. 25:16).
2:5 Canaan (ca'-na-an; merchant or trader), refers a the region along the Mediterranean Sea. The priests of Canaan would read the entrails of the animal to forecast the fortune. They also told the future by looking at the stars, practiced necromancy, and engaged in prophetic trances. The Canaanites offered to their gods animals, food, and humans. For all this and more they were to be judged.
2:5 Philistines (fil-is'-tin;
wandering) refers to an ancient non-Semitic people from Crete which lived along
the coast of S Palestine. Following the division of the kingdom of Israel, the
Philistines were able to regain some power. Then, beginning around 900 BC,
Nadab and
other kings of Judah invaded Philistia (1
Kings 15:27; 16:15).
6 And the seacoast 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.
2:6-7 As grace precedes judgment by words of warning to repent so grace follows judgment lest all people be consumed in the day of divine wrath. God will allow a faithful remnant to live in the Land of Promise, drive out the false gods of Ashkelon and live in freedom from the tyranny of captivity.
Judgment on Moab and Ammon: 2:8-11
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.
2:8 Moab (mo'-ab; from father), was located in the territory E of the Dead Sea. The Moabites constantly fought with Israel. During the days of King Omri of Israel (885-873 BC) the Moabite territory was subjected to Israel. Near the end of the reign of Ahab, the son of Omri, Mesha of Moab led his country to regain their freedom.
2: 8 Ammon (am'-mon; inbred; son of my relative) along with Moab was the incestuous son of Lot by his youngest daughter (Gen. 19:33-38). His descendants established the nation of Ammon. Spiritually Moab and Ammon speak of fleshly lusts that will not be denied nor satiated and so must be judged.
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.
2:9 Sodom (vineyard, burning), was one of the
most ancient cities of Syria. It was located at the S end of the Dead Sea in a
fertile area that was well populated.
2:9 Gomorrah (guh-mor'-ruh; submersion), was
one of the five "cities of the
plain" located in the Valley of Siddim (Salt Sea or Dead Sea). At one
time it was well populated and productive (Gen. 10:19).
2:9 Nettles. The Hebrew root means to
be prickly or pointed, such as a bramble or other thorny weed.
10 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.
2:10 Sometimes Christians wonder why bad things happen to good people. They want to know if they are under divine discipline. Scripturally, all who have been judged knew the reason for their punishment. There are many reasons why Christians suffer. If the Holy Spirit does not reveal the difficult days are a result of God’s anger then look to some
other reason for the trails of life (James 1:3-4).
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.
2:11 Repentance is one grand objective of Divine
punishment. When the false gods of this world are seen to be starved of content
and character it is possible the heart’s of men will begin to seek the true
God. Ps 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy
word.
Judgment on Ethiopia and Assyria: 2:12 – 15
12 Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
2:12 Ethiopia, is the name generally
assigned to the descendants of Cush the son of Ham (Num. 12:1; Isa. 20:4; Jer.
13:23; Acts 8:27). The impending judgment upon Ethiopia and Assyria speak
spiritually of the dark nature of man, the Ethiopian unable to change his skin
(Jer. 13:23) but still proud like the haughty Assyrians.
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.
2:13 Assyria (as-sir'-e-ah), originally was the land between the upper Tigris and Zab rivers. It first capital was at Assur and then later at Nineveh. Once a mighty empire it has been relegated to the dustbin of history.
2:13 Nineveh (nin'-e-veh), was the capital of the Assyrian empire. As the prophets predicted it was finally desolated for the people were extremely wicked and cruel illustrated by Ashurbanipa. It was his custom, after a military victory, for him to cut off the hands and feet, and the noses and ears, and put out the eyes of his captives.
14 And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her [Nineveh], 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.
2:14 Cormorant, refers to a large
water bird (such as the pelican) with webbed feet and a pouch under its beak
for holding fish (Lev. 11:17). This fowl was ceremonially unclean.
2:14 Bittern, refers to a bird or
animal. The porcupine or the lizard has been suggested. In context it may refer
to the heron (Isa. 14:23; 34:11).
15 This [Nineveh] 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.
2:15 The pride of military
conquest, the success of financial gain, the security of a nation can easily
lead politicians and people to inordinate self esteem. In the hour of doom
individuals learn again that ultimate power belongs to God alone.
Questions and Answer on
Zephaniah 2
1. List four distinguishing marks of the godly.
· Answer.
2. Spiritually what does the
judgment on Moab and Ammon indicate?
Answer.
3. What do Ethiopia and Assyria
represent spiritually?
Answer.
4. How is God open pleased to
protect His people in difficult days of national calamity?
Answer.
5. What two principles
undergird God’s grace?
Answer.
Personal Application and
Reflection
1. List at least five reasons
for pain and suffering in the life of Christians apart from divine discipline.
2. Distinguish between being
proud of an accomplishment and being proud person. Is any form of pride sin?
3. Why is it easy to trust in
silver and gold and national security than in God? Is it hard to walk by faith
and not by sight? Why or why not?
4. Do you believe in the
doctrine of total depravity, that a person is by nature evil? Explain.
5. What do you think the future
of America is? Are the sins of America any worse than the sins of Moab and
Ammon, Ethiopia and Assyria?
Hiding God’s Word in My
Heart
Zephaniah
2:3 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.
Leader’s
Study Notes
2:9 Nettles. The plant referred to is
Acanthus Syriacus. The tough flower stalks appear toward the end of May and may
be decorative until about August. Light mauve blooms grow between the thorns.
2:14 Cormorant. Another possibility is that
the cormorant is a reference to a hawk or vulture (Isa. 34:11; Zeph. 2:14).
ZEPHANIAH 3
Judgment upon
Jerusalem
1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
3:1 The sins of the people of Jerusalem are enumerated.
·
The people oppress the truth and they persecute the prophets.
·
The people are morally filthy and engage in acts that pollute the mind,
body and spirit.
2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted
not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
3:2
·
The people are disobedient to the known will of God.
·
The people refuse to be corrected.
·
The people trust more in gold and silver and in personal security than
in the Lord.
·
The people do not worship or draw near to God in their hearts.
3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves;
they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
3:3
·
The rulers are wicked acting more like animals than concerned
potentates.
·
The judges of Jerusalem are also beastly in nature as they devour cases
for personal pleasure and profit. Legal justice is
not served.
4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have
polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
3:4 The people are evil, the princes are corrupt,
the judges are in just and even the religious leaders are treacherous. There is
sin in the sanctuary. Rather than exhort God’s people to holy living the
religious leaders are just as corrupt as all others.
·
The priests who were to be holy and undefiled personally have polluted
the sanctuary by allowing the worship of false gods. They have erred by not
speaking the truth. They have done violence to the moral, civil and ceremonial
law of God.
5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every
morning doth he [the LORD] bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the
unjust knoweth no shame.
3:5
·
The people know no shame such is the hardness of their hearts. They are
adamant as stone. There is no remorse, no twinge of guilt or regret. The
emotions have become those of a cold-blooded reptile.
What must be done? The Lord must render a
righteous judgment upon the people for He is in the midst of it all but without
sin. He is the “Faithful and True witness.” He is the Amen.
6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their
streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there
is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so
their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose
early, and corrupted all their doings.
3:7 The many sins of the people of Jerusalem appears
to astonish the Lord. “Surely,” He said, “they will fear me”, but
they did not. There was and is still coming a time when the voice of grace will
be silenced and the terror of the Lord will be made manifest. Though years may
pass with many warnings it will actually be carried into effect as surely as
the flood waters once covered the earth in the days of Noah after 120 years of
gospel preaching. The world that then was perished (2 Peter 3:6).
8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise
up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may
assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce
anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
3:9 All the earth. Within the past hundred
years all the earth has known large-scale conflicts so that history records
World War I and World War II. Lesser wars but with devastating impact include
the Korean conflict, the Vietnam war, Operation Desert Storm and the war with
Iraq. Historically, God has judged several nations close together as He did
with Judah, Edom and Moab, Ethiopia and Assyria in the sixth century BC. The larger
point to remember is that the Lord rules the earth and He rules with a rod of
iron in righteousness.
9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all
call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
3:9 At the tower of Babel
the languages of the earth were confused. On the day of Pentecost, for one
brief shining moment Babel was reversed as the gospel was preached. Acts 2:6
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were
confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. A
pure language happened once, it will happen again when Jesus comes. “For it
is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every
tongue shall confess to God” (Rom 14:11).
10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter
of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
3:10 Mercy and grace is extended to Ethiopia though nothing is said about Assyria or Nineveh. For Ethiopia there is hope when she shall stretch out her hands unto God (Psa. 68:31).
11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein
thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst
of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty
because of my holy mountain.
3:11 When the Lord comes in grace and glory to change hearts He takes away their shame and He removes inordinate pride
12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people,
and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither
shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie
down, and none shall make them afraid.
3:13 The work of divine grace in the heart continues as the Lord puts in the heart of His people to obey His commandments so they not commit iniquity nor speak lies nor engage in deceitful and self-serving behavior.
Come down, O love divine,
seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
~*~
Bianco da Siena, d. 1434
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with
all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine
enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt
not see evil any more.
3:13 In the day of grace visitation the Lord removes the curse and condemnation and defeats all the enemies of the church – the world, the flesh, and the devil. In addition God is
pleased to dwell in the midst of His people and
protect them so they are not witnesses to evil let alone partakers of the same.
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my dear Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
Charles Wesley
~*~
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to
Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
3:16 When the Lord visits His people He removes illegitimate fears and invites vigorous work to be done on His behalf in holy service.
Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things,
give heart and soul and mind and strength
to serve the King of kings.
William Pierson Merrill
~*~
17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he [the LORD] will
save, he [the LORD] will rejoice over thee with joy; he [the LORD] will rest in
his love, he [the LORD] will joy over thee with singing.
3:17 Not all spiritual activity is one-sided where
by the worshippers rejoices in God his Savior. There is divine pleasure
expressed. God is not only pleased to save but He expresses positive joy. He
remembers their sins no more as He is silent in His love for them. It is a
happy and blessed thought of the Singing Sovereign who expresses His love in
song. The concept of the Singing Messiah is confirmed in Matthew 26:30.
18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who
are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
3:18 Once divine grace and mercy begin to flow there is blessing upon blessing for the Lord moves to comfort the broken hearted. The objects of love have a bountiful treasure of the gifts of grace. Let the church seek earnestly for these spiritual pearls of great price.
Spirit divine, attend our prayers,
and make this house thy home;
descend with all thy gracious powers,
O come, great Spirit, come!
Come as the
fire and purge our hearts
like sacrificial flame;
let our whole soul an offering be
to our Redeemer's Name.
Come as the
dove, and spread thy wings,
the wings of peaceful love;
and let thy Church on earth become
blest as the Church above.
Come as the dew and sweetly bless
this consecrated hour;
may barrenness rejoice to own
thy fertilizing power.
~*~
Andrew Reed, 1829
19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will
save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them
praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
3:19-20 Because the goodness
and grace of God cannot be exhausted, because the Lord knows how to give to the
soul abundantly more than it could ever ask or think more promises are made.
The Lord will draw His people together with irresistible cords of love. He will
gather His people for prayer and praise and make their glory an honor among the
nations. Others will be blessed because of the church. “Come Lord, set the
spiritual captives free from the bondage of sin and shame and make the church a
blessing. Come Lord. Come quickly.”
Questions and Answer on
Zephaniah 2
1. List at least five sins
associated with the people of Jerusalem.
2. How is the positive joy of
God in His church displayed?
Answer.
3. List three actions the Lord
will take on behalf of His people.
Answer.
4. What is meant by pure
language in Zephaniah 3:
Answer.
5. What verse in chapter 3
indicates the majesty and absolute sovereignty of God in salvation?
Answer.
Personal Application and
Reflection
1. Have you experienced the
downward progression of sin ending in a cold heart made as it were of stone and
past feeling? If so did the Lord bring you to repentance and give you a new
heart?
2. There is a strength to sin
that should be alarming and yet it is not. Why?
3. Answer as True or Not Yet.
·
I obey the Lord.
·
I receive correction well.
·
I trust in God more than all else.
·
I worship God sincerely.
·
I am ashamed when I sin.
·
I fear the Lord.
4. When you pray, what do you
pray for most? Write your petitions down as they come to mind for examination.
If you do not pray for God’s holiness and purity and visitation will you pledge
to begin to do so now?
5. Does the idea of a singing
Sovereign who not only receives worship but takes pleasure in His people change
your concept of God in any manner? Explain.
Hiding God’s Word in My
Heart
Zephaniah
3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall
a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down,
and none shall make them afraid.
Zephaniah
3: 17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee
with singing.