Zephaniah 3

“Woe to her who is rebellious” (vs. 1-3)—In chapter 3, Zephaniah returns to his denunciation of Judah and Jerusalem. The city was rebellious, polluted, and oppressive (v. 1). There is a four-fold condemnation in verse 2: “She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the LORD, She has not drawn near to her God.” That’s a pretty good summary of Judah/Jerusalem’s failures. As usual, the leaders of the people were foremost in sin—princes, judges, prophets, and priests—they were oppressive, ravenous, insolent, treacherous; “they have done violence to the law” (vs. 3-4) And as a result, “the just Lord is in the midst thereof”—justice must be served (v. 5). “He never fails, but the unjust knows no shame.” As an example to Judah, the Lord had “cut off nations,” (v. 6) including some of those mentioned in chapter 2; their streets were desolate, their cities destroyed and completely uninhabited. And “I said, 'Surely you [Judah] will fear Me, You will receive instruction'" (v. 7); surely Judah has learned from others. But no—“they rose early, and corrupted all their doings” (v. 7). “Therefore” is the first word of verse 8, and it isn’t hard to guess what follows. The Lord would “pour on them My indignation, all My fierce anger; all the earth [Judah] shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.” When He tells them to “wait for me,” it is simply an announcement that God will fulfill His promises and threatenings. He doesn’t change and sin will be punished.

Restoration (vs. 9-20)—But like many of the prophets, Zephaniah ends his prophecy with a message of hope. Again I remind the reader to always recall the great theme of the Old Testament—Christ is coming, and He is coming through the Jewish people. Thus, even though they were every bit as worthy of punishment as Sodom and Gomorrah (Hosea 11:8), there is a higher purpose here—the redemption of all mankind. God had made that promise all the way back in Genesis 3:15 and its fulfillment would be through Abraham’s descendants. There would always be a “remnant of Israel” (v. 13). Some see this section as Messianic, i.e., referring to the church age, but I don’t see any references to Christ here. It appears simply an announcement of return from Babylonian captivity. It is a picture of beauty and holiness, which didn’t exist in Israel following the return, but isn’t perfect in the church, either. But it is possible, given the righteousness described here, that spiritual Israel, the church, is in view rather than national Israel. Regardless, the standard is for “pure language that they may call on the name of the Lord” (v. 9). They would be returned “from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia”—from the farthest reaches of captivity (v. 10). There would be no shame, for the wicked shall be removed from their midst (v. 11), and only a “meek and humble people” who “trust in the name of the Lord” shall remain (v. 12). It’s only a “remnant,” but they would “do no unrighteousness and speak no lies;” they would “feed their flocks” and not be afraid (v. 13). This was a great cause for rejoicing and gladness (v. 14). The Lord will no longer need to punish them (v. 15), and “you shall see disaster (or, “evil,” KJV) no more.” There will be no cause to fear (v. 16) because “The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save” (v. 17). There would gladness, peace, love, and singing. The weak and the helpless, those who had been oppressed for so long, “I will appoint…for praise and fame” (v. 19). Verse 20 sounds like return from Babylon, but again, could be spiritual bondage: “At that time I will bring you back, even at the time I gather you…When I return your captives before your eyes," says the LORD.” Again, my only hesitation in applying this to the church age is the omission of any allusion to the Messiah. Certainly the righteousness and holiness described in this passage does not describe how the Jews acted after their homecoming from Babylon (though there was no more idol worship), but again, this is designed as a message of hope, especially for those in Zephaniah’s age who had remained loyal to the Lord. Even though most of them would be dead before the restoration from exile, they would understand that the Lord had seen their own affliction and righteousness and that a better day for all was forthcoming.

And so ends the writings of another great, but often overlooked, prophet of God in the Old Testament. What lessons could be learned if we would only do so.