Zephaniah 2, 3
As a whole, Zephaniah’s message is an urgent call to repentance and revival: a call
which the church desperately needs to heed today. His message consist of three parts: a
Warning of Impending Judgment; a Call to Repentance and a Promise of Future
Blessing. Last week, we examined the first part; today we will look at the last two.
Chapter 2: The prophet calls the nations to repent! v. 1-3. He then foretells the fate of
other neighboring and hostile nations: the Philistines, (along the Mediterranean coast)
v. 4-7; Moabites and Ammonites, (modern day Jordan/southern Syria) v. 8-11;
Ethiopians, v. 12; and Assyrians, (between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers – Iraq) v. 1315. These predictions were accomplished primarily by the conquests of the
Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. (Adam Clarke's Commentary).
CHAPTER 3 – Here God specifically addresses Israel. (v.1-7) The Lord issues a four part
indictment against His beloved city, Jerusalem. This indictment also represents, four
characteristics of a backslidden heart: 1) She has not obeyed His voice. The backslider
lacks respect for the word. 2) She has not received correction. The backslider will not
completely submit to the discipline of the Lord. 3) She has not trusted in the Lord. The
backslider will seek to rely upon the flesh, rather than the Spirit. 4) She has not drawn
near to her God. The backslider has little appetite for the presence of God.
Judah’s unrepentance has a devastating effect upon the nation. Her princes, rulers,
politicians - are merely blow-hards, pontificating and debating but accomplishing
nothing! (A few months ago, our U.S. Congress’ approval rating was 9 percent) her
“judges” devour justice, reinterpreting the laws rather than upholding them. Her
“prophets,” (preachers) are ineffective, tickling the ears of men, fearful of speaking the
truth! The Hebrew word for “insolent” means: light, (light weight), to bubble up or
froth (as boiling water). A lot of “foam,” but no real faith! Her “priests” also are
polluted, contaminating the sanctuary of God. The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule
by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end? (Jeremiah 5:31) Many
churches have the pastors they deserve! Notice: God is not hiding, we are! (v.5). God
reasons “surely” judgment will get their attention. (v.6, 7).
(v.8-20) Here we see God’s remedy for the “insolent” (disrespectful) condition of His
people: “Wait for Me!” (v.8). “Wait” means to “adhere, to listen, to tarry.” Because
after it’s all said and done, God will be victorious! For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall
stand at last on the earth. (Job 19:25) In this fallen world, divine anticipation is an anchor for
our souls, lest we grow weary. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against
Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:3) Where our expectation
lies has a lot to do with the stability of our walk in Christ. My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him. (Psalm 62:5) There are three aspects of our future blessing divine expectation - found here: Restoration, Celebration and Liberation.
Restoration (v.9-13). The restoration Zephaniah refers to here is worldwide - a
restoration which will take place during the millennial reign of Christ. This restoration
involves 1) Restoration of the nations. (v.9, 10). A pure language will be restored,
worldwide; pure in that all will call upon the name of the Lord, and serve the Lord with
“one accord.” Some take this to mean the removal of the Babel syndrome, when the
languages were confused (Genesis 11:1-9). It may simply be that the nations (v.11) of
the world will confess together that “Jesus Christ is Lord!” …that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)
2) Restoration according to grace. (v.11, 12). The proud are those Jews who boast
from their lineage in Abraham as a guarantee for salvation. Therefore know that only those
who are of faith are sons of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7) "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
(James 4:6) Thus, restoration is not by the law, but by “grace” alone! (ttt) Romans 10:613. 3) Restoration in truth. (v.13). “No one shall make them afraid.” Peace cannot exist
apart from truth! The rulership of Christ will finally bring peace to the Middle East.
Celebration – (v.14-18). Celebrate for two reasons: 1) Their “enemy” has been cast
out. Although the Babylonians will be defeated by the Persians, which will result in the
captive of Israel returning to Jerusalem after 70 years, Zephaniah is looking even
further, to the Second Advent, when the anti-christ (the beast) and the false prophet
will be cast out into hell. Revelation 19:20. The taking away of the judgments and the
King in her midst all speak of the millennial reign of Christ from Jerusalem.
Zephaniah exhorts the people who wait on the Lord to “rejoice” - to serve the Lord with
gladness! “Let not your hands be weak!” In Christ, our enemy has been cast out! His
power over us has been broken forever! The law, which once condemned us, has been
silenced through faith in Christ! For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there
is no law. (Romans 5:13) 2) The “Mighty One” will save. The Mighty One – literally,
“Powerful Warrior” - has saved us from the judgment to come! Therefore, (v.17b) the
ESV reads, “He will exult over you with loud singing.” The Lord delights over one who
humbles himself (v.12, 13), and rejoices in truth (v.13). They will be quieted by His
love! His lullaby of mercy soothes the troubled soul! (v.18) This was a word of comfort
to the captives in Babylon, but it is also for the believer today.
The last aspect of our future blessing is liberation (v.19-20) from “shame” to “fame”
and “praise!” The shame of Israel, God would exchange for “fame.” That which was
“lame” will be strengthened. The “fame” here is not the fleeting fame of men. The
Hebrew word for “fame” – shem (shame) - means “mark of memorial, honor,
authority.” This is the good news of the gospel. We have been liberated from the
“shame” of sin, and “appointed” to “fame” through faith in Christ! Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians
5:17)
LESSON: 1) Wait on the Lord. Set your expectation upon Him and He will quiet your
soul with His love. 2) Repentance leads to everlasting fame and praise. For I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(Romans 8:18) CONCLUSION:
What is your appointed destiny?