Zephaniah 3: He Will Joy Over Thee with Singing

2020-03-14

This portion of scripture is a combination of hard preaching against Jerusalem and the hope of restoration.

Pronouncements Against Jerusalem

Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! (2) She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. (3) Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. (4) Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. (5) The 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. (6) I 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. (7) I 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. (Zephaniah 3:1-7)

How We Know the Oppressing City is Jerusalem

The last mention of the name of a city at this juncture is Nineveh (Zephaniah 2:13). This city, however, has several indicators that the object of accusation has changed to Jerusalem:

  1. There is reference to the LORD being “her God.” The God of this city is the LORD. Nisroch was the god of the Assyrians (2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38). The LORD would not have chided them for not drawing near to him in the same way! Zephaniah 3:2
  2. The sanctuary is there. The LORD would not have chided them for polluting a temple of a false god, as any such temple in Nineveh would be, because that would be a good thing (1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 23:16). Zephaniah 3:4
  3. There is a reference to the law. The LORD chided them for violating His law. Zephaniah 3:4
  4. The LORD is in the midst of the city. The presence of the LORD dwelt in Jerusalem, not Nineveh. Zephaniah 3:5
  5. The nations did not fear Him, but they should have. The LORD says, “Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction” (Zephaniah 3:7). They had the law entrusted to them, and should have known Him. Zephaniah 3:7

Characteristics of the Oppressing City

Jerusalem has many characteristics unpleasing to the LORD. Here are a few:

  1. Filthy. This references an uncleanness that is unsanitary. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were considered filthy (2 Peter 2:7). It also refers to the vileness of sin (Isaiah 64:6). Zephaniah 3:1
  2. Polluted. This refers to the defiling of something set apart or made holy. Exodus 20:25 refers to altars of stones made polluted because it was fashioned with a man’s tool. More specifically, we see how the temple was polluted with pagan practices (2 Chronicles 36:14). Zephaniah 3:1
  3. Oppressing. People were forced into submission when the rulers were not supposed to act as tyrants. The Israelites were oppressed in Egypt (Exodus 3:9), and therefore were commanded to not oppress each other (Leviticus 25:14, 17) or foreigners that dwelt in their land (Exodus 22:21). Zephaniah 3:1
  4. They did not obey. Zephaniah 3:2
  5. They did not receive correction. Even though they did not obey God, they would not turn to Him after rebuke. Many prophets came before Zephaniah, and many did after, and when Christ came, few turned to Him. Zephaniah 3:2
  6. They did not trust in Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). Zephaniah 3:2
  7. They did not draw near to Him. As a Father that created them and nurtured them since their inception, they turned to false gods. Zephaniah 3:2
  8. Fierce princes. These were the oppressors of the Oppressing City. Zephaniah 3:3
  9. Unjust judges. They are described as “evening wolves.” For example, they conducted a secret trial at night for Jesus Christ, an innocent Man, and in the morning, they turned Him over to Pilate. This may have been a common practice to suppress justice. Zephaniah 3:3
  10. Treacherous prophets. These men were supposed to speak on behalf of God. Being “treacherous” they did not represent Him. Being “light” means they are worthless people, like the men who were hired by Abimelech son of Gideon (Judges 9:4). Zephaniah 3:4
  11. Wicked priests. These men are supposed to speak to God on behalf of men, take care of the Temple and offer sacrifices. Instead, they pollute the sanctuary and have violated the law. Zephaniah 3:4
  12. The people eagerly sinned. Their rising early to do evil indicated their love for sin and their eagerness to do it. There is no shame for their sin, as there should have been. Zephaniah 3:5, 7

The LORD’s Response

Because of the world’s sin, the LORD will respond:

  1. The LORD cannot sin. His dwelling place is in Jerusalem, and cannot look on sin (Habakkuk 1:13). Zephaniah 3:5
  2. The LORD will carry out justice. Even so, Jerusalem has no shame for their sin that they openly commit. The LORD’s righteousness stands in stark contrast to the evil of the oppressing city. He will judge them. Zephaniah 3:5
  3. The LORD has destroyed the nations. Whole peoples have been wiped out. This should have served as model for His people to turn to Him. Zephaniah 3:6
  4. The LORD punished His people. Because His people did not turn to Him as would have been reasonably expected, He punished them. Zephaniah 3:7

Armageddon

Zephaniah 3:8 is a reference to Armageddon, where the nations of the world will gather to fight against the LORD and His people.

Therefore 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. (Zephaniah 3:8)

The battle of Armageddon is referenced in Joel 3:2 and Revelation 9:13-21; 16:12-16; 19:11-21. This is a future event where the LORD will return, and the nations will come together and fight Him. The LORD will destroy the nations in that day in a permanent way rather than the destruction in the days of the Babylonian Empire.

Promises of the LORD

For 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. (10) From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. (11) In 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. (12) I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. (13) The 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. (Zephaniah 3:9-20)

The hope that the LORD gives those that seek Him is contrasts with the preceding verses concerning judgment. Here are some promises for us who believe in the LORD:

  1. The people receive a “pure language.” Zephaniah 3:9
    1. A reversal of Babel. This could be that the LORD will reverse Babel, where the languages of the world were formed from a single language (Genesis 11:1-9).
    2. Allows for people to call upon the name of the LORD. A whole lesson in itself.
    3. Allows for people to serve Him in unity. Just as people could not understand one another at Babel, causing the spreading out of the population, people will be able to serve in better unity with one language.
  2. Even the furthest away will return. Those from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia would have been considered one of the furthest away one could go from Jerusalem. This would have been extremely far south in Africa. This is just an example. East Asia and the Americas would be other extremely far away places. The LORD can gather all that are His from anywhere.

    This offering would not be animal sacrifices since they have ceased since Christ (Hebrews 10:18). This would be the “sacrifice of praise,” namely, “the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). Zephaniah 3:10
  3. The shame of sin is removed. Zephaniah 3:11, 13. This includes:
    1. The unsaved are removed from in their midst.
    2. The people’s sins have been taken away. Today, we know that Jesus Christ took the Father’s wrath in our stead.
  4. The poor and persecuted are there. Those who were once despised are now in the LORD’s presence. Zephaniah 3:12
  5. The people will not be afraid. Their enemies have been removed from their presence. The curse of sin and the fall are gone. Zephaniah 3:13

Cause for Praise to the LORD

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. (15) The 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. (16) In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. (17) The 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. (18) I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. (19) Behold, 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. (20) At 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. (Zephaniah 3:14-20)

Consider the LORD’s amazing redemption of His people. This is cause for great praise:

  1. Daughter of Zion, Israel, and Jerusalem all mentioned together. After Solomon’s reign, Israel was split into two kingdoms. This suggests a reunited kingdom (Ezekiel 37:19-20). Zephaniah 3:14
  2. LORD takes away His people’s judgments. Condemned sinners are forgiven by the LORD, whom we know to be the LORD Jesus Christ. He “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).
  3. Enemies cast away. This includes enemies they were supposed to cast out during the conquest of Joshua, or great empires that oppressed and exiled them. Finally, rest for His people. Zephaniah 3:15
  4. The LORD is their King. And He lives among them. Zephaniah 3:15, 17
  5. Evil is removed. Evil can be sin, but it can also simply mean harm. Zephaniah 3:15
  6. No reason for fear. The LORD tells them to not fear because of this great news. Zephaniah 3:16
  7. He will save. Note the future tense. After the Millennial Kingdom is established, the battle of Gog and Magog will ensue (Revelation 20:7-10). The LORD delivers them in that day. Zephaniah 3:17
  8. The LORD will rejoice because of His people. There is a lot of God’s displeasure with His people throughout the Bible, and for good reason. This is a permanent change when His people are regenerated with eternal life. In their resurrection, there will be no sin or Satan to deceive them anymore. The LORD will not pursue them for harm ever again. Zephaniah 3:17
  9. The LORD sings. I cannot remember the last time I saw the LORD singing, except perhaps in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26. But the LORD sings, and He sings for His people. Zephaniah 3:17
  10. The LORD gathers the sorrowful. Those once excluded from the congregation are gathered back. Some examples may include those in Leviticus 21:17-21 and Deuteronomy 23:1-8. Anyone who bore shame for any reason who is saved will be restored. Zephaniah 3:18-19
  11. The LORD gathers His people. Captivity will cease forever. Zephaniah 3:20

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