Zephaniah 3

Zephaniah 3:1

IV. WOE PRONOUNCED ON JERUSALEM (3:1-7) A. Disobedience, Unresponsiveness, Unbelief, Impenitence (3:1, 2)The city of Jerusalem, personified as a woman, is condemned as being rebellious, polluted, and oppressing. She has been disobedient and has not trusted in the LORD or drawn near to her God.

Zephaniah 3:3

B. Greed of the Princes and the Judges (3:3)Her princes . . . are like roaring lions, and her judges are as greedy as evening wolves.

Zephaniah 3:4

C. Levity and Treachery of the Prophets and Sacrilege of the Priests (3:4)Her prophets are faithless, and her priests profane. Feinberg comments: In verse 4 we have the only denunciation of the prophets in this book. They were guilty of levity, trifling with the weightiest matters. There was no gravity or steadfastness in their life or teaching. They were treacherous because unfaithful to Him whom they claimed to represent, rather encouraging the people in their apostasy from the Lord. By their unholy deeds they profaned the sanctuary; they made the sacred profane. They did violence to the law by distorting its plain intent and meaning when they were teaching the people.

Zephaniah 3:5

D. The Lord’s Presence in Judgment (3:5-7)In spite of all this sin and corruption, the LORD is in her midst to judge righteously. He had punished other nations, thinking that this would surely cause Judah to fear Him, but the people became even more corrupt.

Zephaniah 3:8

V. MESSAGE OF COMFORT TO THE FAITHFUL REMNANT (3:8-20) A. Destruction of Wicked Gentiles (3:8)The faithful remnant of Judah is exhorted to wait for God until He destroys all His foes with the fire of His jealousy.

Zephaniah 3:9

B. Conversion of the Remaining Nations (3:9)The pure language of verse 9 probably does not refer to a universal tongue but rather to lips that are undefiled by idolatry, or to speech that is pure with praise to Jehovah. All peoples will serve Him with one accord.

Zephaniah 3:10

C. Restoration of Dispersed Israel (3:10-13)In that Millennial Day the Gentiles will bring the dispersed Jews back to the land as an offering to the Lord. Wicked men who rejoice in their pride will be destroyed from Judah, and therefore will no longer cause the believing remnant of Israel to be afraid. Those who are left will be humble and meek, trusting in the name of the LORD and living righteously.

Zephaniah 3:14

D. Rejoicing over the Second Advent of Christ (3:14-17)Verses 14-20 give the song of restored Israel, praising Jehovah for His mighty deliverance and celebrating His love for His own. The daughter of Zion has much to sing, shout, and rejoice about! Not only have her enemies been thrown out, but the Messiah-King, the LORD Himself, is right in her midst. There is no need to be weak or fear, because God the Mighty One will quiet her with His love.

Zephaniah 3:18

E. What God Will Do for His People (3:18-20)Since judgment was soon to be upon the people, the LORD ends the prophecy with a strong promise of a complete turnabout for the godly remnant. Instead of the reproach and sorrow of missing the appointed assembly, the exiles will be granted praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame.