Zep 3: "The prophet sees a Jerusalem that has forgotten its
Husband, and has sought after other lovers; the people compromised the Truth,
and let worldliness enter into the sphere of their experiences. But in the
discipline of Jerusalem, the Spirit would remove the oppressor, Nineveh.
Zephaniah shows the purpose of His judgmental hand over Jerusalem and the
nations, and now in Zep 3 there is an explanation of how the vindication of His
Name is accomplished and great blessings flow from His mercy. So the final
chapter sets out the divine program for the future: [1] Why Jerusalem must be
punished: vv 1-7. [2] The Purging of Evil and the Conversion of the people: vv
8-10. [3] Israel shamed and sanctified: vv 11-13. [4] Israel comforted, blessed
and exalted to honour before all, through the presence of Yahweh: vv 14-20. With
what a lovely panorama the prophecy concludes (v 20). The Good Shepherd is seen
bringing his flock into the fold, naming each one, and causing Israel to become
a praise in all the earth. This will be done before all mankind, so that all
will see Yahweh's purpose with Israel down the centuries, now to be vindicated
to the honour of His great name" (GEM).
The sins of Jerusalem were four, and the reasons for those
sins were likewise fourfold:
The sins (Zep 3:2)
The reasons (Zep 3:3,4)
1. No obedience
1. Wicked princes
2. No correction
2. Wicked judges
3. No trust
3. Wicked prophets
4. No atonement ("drawing near")
4. Wicked priests
In Zephaniah's day, all the kings and princes (except Josiah)
were wicked men who could not lead a wicked nation into obedience. "Like
princes, like people." The judges were accustomed to bribery and graft, and did
not teach "correction" or "instruction" (AV mg). With the exceptions of
Zephaniah and Jeremiah, the prophets were false and wicked men, who trusted in
the arm of flesh and not God. And the priests, who "profaned" the sanctuary,
could not help in the least to draw men back to God.
It was a sorry state, but there was yet hope. As the sins of
the people fell under four headings, because of the failures of all four classes
of national leaders, so God's remedy for His nation (and for the world) is also
seen in four parts -- all involving Christ. The recurring theme through the last
section is: "The LORD -- Yahweh -- is in the midst of you!" (vv
5,12,15,17).
Christ was once, and will be yet again in greater scope, the
manifestation of the LORD or Yahweh upon the earth. He will be "in the midst" of
men once again, in the capacity of righteous leader, when he returns to set up
his Father's Kingdom. At that time, he will be: (1) A righteous JUDGE (vv 5-7)
-- who will do no iniquity himself, but will instruct the world in
righteousness; (2) A righteous PROPHET (vv 8-13) -- who will bring to mankind "a
pure lip" or language (v 9), with which they will call upon the LORD, and "the
meek and humble" will "trust in the name of the LORD" (v 12); (3) A righteous
KING (vv 14-16) -- who will deliver his people from evil and lead them in the
ways of obedience; (4) A righteous PRIEST (vv 17-20) -- who will save his
people, and bring them back to oneness, or atonement, with God.
Zep 3:3
ROARING LIONS: The language of Pro 28:15. Cp also Eze
22:25; 1Pe 5:8.
EVENING WOLVES: Cp Hab 1:8n.
Zep 3:4
ARROGANT: "Light" (AV). Lit, bubbly, frothy, with no
real substance -- easily dissipated or blown away! Cp Isa 57:21.
Zep 3:5
MORNING BY MORNING: "Each/every morning": Manna given
(Exo 16:21). Fire on the altar (Lev 6:12). Incense offered (Exo 30:7). Praise
offered (1Ch 23:30). Service offered (1Ch 9:27). Sacrifice presented (2Ch 2:4;
13:11). God visits (Job 7:18). God is their arm (Isa 33:2). His compassions new
(Lam 3:23). The Philistines present themselves (1Sa 17:16). God silences the
wicked (Psa 101:8). Judgment (here). Administer justice (Jer 21:12).
YET THE UNRIGHTEOUS KNOW NO SHAME: Their consciences
are insensible (1Ti 4:2).
Zep 3:6
Paraphrase: 'Look at what I have done before, to other
nations! Be warned, before it is too late!
Zep 3:7
BUT THEY WERE STILL EAGER TO ACT CORRUPTLY IN ALL THEY
DID: A great zeal and dedication to do evil!
Zep 3:8
THEREFORE WAIT FOR ME: The exhortations to the virgins
in Mat 25. Ct 2Pe 3:15: "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means
salvation."
Zep 3:9
THEN: "Then" signals a major change in time as well as
in the focus of Zephaniah's prophecy. It is a hinge word that serves as a
transition from judgment in the Tribulation to blessing in the Millennium.
I WILL PURIFY THE LIPS OF THE PEOPLES: A pure language
-- not like the unclean lips of idolatry (Psa 16:4; cp also Isa 6). "Lip" =
doctrine in Isa 32:4; 33:6. In Kingdom, Egypt will speak the language of Canaan
(Isa 19:18).
THAT ALL OF THEM MAY CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD: Ct
Gen 11:6, where one language leads to rebellion against God.
AND SERVE HIM SHOULDER TO SHOULDER: "With one consent"
(AV). Cp Mat 11:28: yoked together with Christ.
Zep 3:10
FROM BEYOND THE RIVERS OF CUSH MY WORSHIPERS... WILL BRING
ME OFFERINGS: Those beyond Ethiopia -- sig, prob, the end of the known world
-- will bring a people back to Yahweh (Isa 18:1,7). Cp Psa 72:10; Isa 60:9;
66:20. The implication is that the Jews will come to Jerusalem, the city the
Lord chose as the place where He would dwell among His people (cp Deu 30:1-10;
Isa 66:18,20).
Zep 3:13
THEY WILL EAT AND LIE DOWN AND NO ONE WILL MAKE THEM
AFRAID: They will resemble a flock of sheep at peace grazing and lying down
with nothing to disturb them (cp Psa 23; Mic 4:4).
Zep 3:14
DAUGHTER OF JERUSALEM: The phrase "daughter of" is a
way of referring to the citizens of Zion (Jerusalem) as the children of the
city. Children born in any city are the children of that city in a metaphorical
sense. A phrase used almost exclusively in the context of deliverance from the
enemy (2Ki 19:21; Isa 37:22; Lam 2:13,15; Mic 4:8; Zeph 3:14; Zech
9:9).
Zep 3:15
THE LORD, THE KING OF ISRAEL, IS WITH YOU; NEVER AGAIN WILL
YOU FEAR ANY HARM: Yahweh, Israel's true and omnipotent king, will be in the
midst of His people (in the person of Messiah, Jesus Christ, during the
Millennium: v 17; cp Isa 9:7; 44:6; Zech 14:9). Consequently they will fear
disaster no more (v 13).
Zep 3:17
THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU, HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE: He
will be a victorious warrior having defeated all His enemies and all opposition
worldwide (Zep 1:2,3; 3:8).
HE WILL TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU, HE WILL QUIET YOU WITH
HIS LOVE, HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING: Like a bridegroom He will
take joy in His people Israel, and they will rest quietly in the security of His
love for them as His bride. Yahweh will even shout with joy over His beloved
Israel.
Zep 3:18
THE SORROWS FOR THE APPOINTED FEASTS I WILL REMOVE FROM
YOU...: In the past Jews who lived far from Jerusalem were very sad because
they could not travel to Jerusalem to observe Israel's annual feasts. They may
also have suffered a certain criticism from their fellow Jews for living so far
away. But in this time of blessing (the Millennium) the LORD will enable them to
come to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts.
Zep 3:19
I WILL RESCUE THE LAME: Ref Jacob, who limped after his
encounter with the angel: Gen 32:24-32.
I WILL GIVE THEM PRAISE AND HONOR IN EVERY LAND WHERE THEY
WERE PUT TO SHAME: Worldwide extent of the Kingdom of God: Dan 2:44; Zec
14:9; Rev 11:15; Dan 7:27; Psa 22:27,28.
Zep 3:20
I WILL GATHER YOU; AT THAT TIME I WILL BRING YOU HOME. I
WILL GIVE YOU HONOR AND PRAISE AMONG ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE EARTH: He will
regather them in their land and give them a good reputation when He restores
their fortunes (cp v 15; Gen 12:1-7; 13:14-17; 15:7-21; 17:7,8; 2Sa 7:16; Psa
89:3,4; Isa 9:6,7; Dan 7:27).
