Zephaniah 3:1-20
Q.1. What was God’s complaint against Judah and the nations? How would God act toward them and why? What did He promise to achieve? – (Zeph.3:1-11)
Judah’s princes, judges, prophets, and priests had been treacherous – 1 Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the tyrannical city! 2 She heeded no voice; she accepted no instruction. She did not trust in the Lord; she did not draw near to her God (Zeph.3:1-2). Just as God would cut off other nations, so He would do to Judah. In contrast to their fickleness – The Lord is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame (Zeph.3:5). God will destroy all the ungodly by the fire of His zeal, with a purging motive – “For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him shoulder to shoulder (Zeph.3:9). Even in judgment, God displays His mercy. There will come a day, when God will regather His dispersed people to His holy mountain (Zeph.3:10-11).
Q.2. How will God deal with a future remnant of Israel? How great will be their transformation? Has this happened yet? When will this be accomplished? – (Zeph.3:12-20)
At a future time God promised His people – 12 “But I will leave among you a humble and lowly people, and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord. 13 “The remnant of Israel will do no wrong and tell no lies, nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths; For they will feed and lie down with no one to make them tremble (Zeph.3:12-13). This has not happened yet but it will. The description points to its fulfilment during the Millennial Reign of Christ, with the Lord in their midst – 19 “Behold, I am going to deal at that time with all your oppressors, I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown In all the earth. 20 “At that time I will bring you in, even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord (Zeph.3:19-20). What a day that will be.