Zephaniah
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Zephaniah 3
Zephaniah 3
1Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! to the oppressing city!
1Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
Commentary · verse 1
2She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in Jehovah; she drew not near to her God.
2She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
Commentary · verse 2
Jerusalem did not: obey God's Voice, receive correction, trust in God, draw near to God.
3Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they leave nothing till the morrow.
4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have profaned the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
3Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
Commentary · verses 3-4
The princes, judges, prophets and priests had a share in all of the Jews' backsliding.
5Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous; he will not do iniquity; every morning doth he bring his justice to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
5The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
Commentary · verse 5
God was Right and Just. The Book of Habakkuk showed this was God's Nature.
Doctrines on this passage
6I have cut off nations; their battlements are desolate; I have made their streets waste, so that none passeth by; their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.
7I said, Only fear thou me; receive correction; so her dwelling shall not be cut off, according to all that I have appointed concerning her: but they rose early and corrupted all their doings.
8Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, 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.
6I 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.
7I 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.
8Therefore 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.
Commentary · verses 6-8
Encouragement to wait on God for the restoration of Israel. Verse 8 concerned the battle of Armageddon.
Commentary · verses 9-20
Verses 9-20: the days after the battle of Armageddon.
9For then will I turn to the peoples of a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him with one consent.
10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
11In that day shalt thou not be put to shame for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proudly exulting ones, and thou shalt no more be haughty in my holy mountain.
12But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah.
13The 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.
14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not fear evil any more.
9For 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.
10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
11In 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.
12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
13The 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.
14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15The 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.
Commentary · verse 15
The "King of Israel" was Christ. Christ will reign on earth during the Millennium.
16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack.
17Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing.
16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17The 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.
Commentary · verse 17
This book concluded by describing the restoration of Israel…
18I will gather them that sorrow for the solemn assembly, who were of thee; to whom the burden upon her was a reproach.
19Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; and I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth.
20At that time will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before your eyes, saith Jehovah.
18I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
19Behold, 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.
20At 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.
Commentary · verse 20
The Book of Zephaniah was the ninth of the twelve books that made up the minor prophet section of the Old Testament. Zephaniah was a prophet about the same time as the author of the previous book: Habakkuk. In this short book, Zephaniah was focused on God's immediate judgment of Jews and Gentiles, as well as events concerning the physical Day of the Lord and the ensuing Millennial Reign of Christ.
Now Zephaniah turned his focus to Judah and Jerusalem.