Zephaniah 3:14–20 [14] Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! [15] The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. [16] On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. [17] The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. [18] I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. [19] Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. [20]At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says the LORD. (ESV).
It's been a curious thing over the last 9 months as to what people have expected. We started with two weeks to flatten the curve. Many people were unsure what would initially happen and great fear seemed evident. People anticipated this to pass and the warm weather came, which bighted expectations. Then the cold weather hit which brought people back indoors. The lessons failed to be learned from the first outbreak, those especially in Long Term Care faced the biggest hit. We started with the slogan that we are all in this together. Now it’s snitch on your neighbour. There is little peace or joy and people are ever increasingly hostile and divided.
For the people to whom Zephaniah spoke, there as well was little peace. They were a divided nation under continued hostility. But there was a special prophecy that Zephaniah would proclaim that would amaze the people. The prophecy would revolve around the gathering together of the people of God. Peace would come and one of the most amazing elements of the prophecy is the coming of God Himself: He Himself would express joy over His people. According to Zephaniah 1:1, the prophet Zephaniah delivered the Word of the Lord during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah. Josiah reigned from 637 to 608 BC. So his reign came to an end just 20 years before Jerusalem was sacked by the Babylonians and Israel was taken into captivity. Josiah is the king, you recall, who found the long-lost book of the law in the temple and tried to reform the people who had drifted so far into idolatry and wickedness. Zephaniah, then, was a part of this effort to call Judah, and especially Jerusalem, back to God. (Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.).
How do we rejoice when there is so much fear, disappointment, and despair. It almost seems inappropiate and insensitive. But this is exactly what God calls for, for a very good reason. It is not because of difficulties that we are to rejoice. It is because of the one who is soverign over these difficulties. Faith is believing in God and His promises especially when it seems dark. He calls us to look beyond the difficulties of today, to the coming of the Messiah: When the Lord comes He not only is the source of joy, He brings joy for His people.
In Zephaniah 3:14-20, the prophet wants people of all time to long for the joy of the presence of God. He calls us to experience the 1) Rejoicing in the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:14), 2) Reasons for the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:15–17), 3) Realizing the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:18-20).
Believers can have joy in the coming of Christ through:
1) Rejoicing in the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:14)
Zephaniah 3:14[14] Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
The first thing that the people of God are called upon to do is to sing in triumphant song. Indeed, they are to ‘Sing … shout… rejoice and exult.’ In a tripartite example of synonymous parallelism, where the same idea is repeated three times in different words (Baker, D. W. (1988). Vol. 27: Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (116). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.) ‘Sing’ is often translated ‘sing for joy’ as an outpouring of emotion at the realization of all God is and has done (Pss. 92:4; 96:12; 145:7; Isa. 12:6) (MacKay, J. L. (1998). Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah. Focus on the Bible Commentary (399). Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications.).
The term shout (harî?û) is frequently associated with the ringing outcry of a battle’s commencement. When Israel entered into battle, the trumpet blast was to be accompanied with a “shout” (Num. 10:9). The cry is one given at the beginning of a battle (cf. Num. 10:9; Josh. 6:10; 1 Sam. 17:20; 2 Chr. 13:12, 15), the outcome of which is not believed to be in doubt (Robertson, O. P. (1990). The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (336). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).
• This year has felt like one long battle. The toughest part of the battle for many is battling doubt. It is easy to doubt in regards to God’s prophecy on the future. We must battle this doubt like any other destructive enemy. Having this enemy get a foothold allows for the deterioration of our relationship with God and neuters our effectiveness for Him. Doubt transfers activity. Instead of relying on God to triumph in this battle, through doubt we seek to fight the battle in our own power and strength. Doubt sets us up for failure. Faith runs to the one who cannot fail.
The opening verse of this section contains an unrestrained summons to rejoice. The command to rejoice apparently was used by town heralds calling the city to rejoice when messengers from the battlefield brought good news of victory and deliverance (Barker, K. L. (1999). Vol. 20: Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. The New American Commentary (493). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.). ‘By piling up every available expression for joy, the prophet leaps across the vale of gloom into the realm of grace-beyond-devastation.’ After all that Zephaniah said about judgement, it might well have been thought that sadness and depression were a far more appropriate response to the announcements that have been made. But the prophet is looking beyond all this and urging God’s chosen people to do the same. the kind of rejoicing that is expected is not half-hearted. Each person is told to rejoice ‘with all your heart’. They are to shake off all sense of reserve and doubt. They are to rejoice as though the victory had already been won, even though its reality is still some way off. (Palmer Robertson, The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, p.336.).
• We are commanded to rejoice because we often don’t feel like rejoicing. We rejoice as a reminder and declaration that Christ has won the battle. That rejoicing is a testimony of that fact. A miserable Christian is a poor witness.
Please turn to Isaiah 12
When the destruction of Jerusalem occurred, its population was deported to Babylon (2 Kin. 24, 25). These verses refer to a remnant of dispersed and afflicted people whom God would bring back from Babylon to Jerusalem after 70 years of exile. This restoration began in 539 B.C. when Cyrus issued his decree that allowed the Jews to return to their homeland. The return of the Jews to Judah in fulfillment of Zephaniah’s prophecy foreshadows the final redemption of the earth (Thomas Nelson, I. (1995). The Woman’s Study Bible (Zep 3:18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).
Isaiah expresses the praise for all of this:
Isaiah 12:1-6 [12:1]You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. [2]"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." [3] With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. [4] And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. [5]"Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. [6] Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel." (ESV)
And who is it that is to rejoice in this way? It is the people of God: ‘O daughter of Zion … O Israel … O daughter of Jerusalem!’ The very mention of these names—two geographical (Zion, Jerusalem) and one ethnic (Israel) he refers to the city as ‘daughter’—the simple explanation being that the Hebrew word for ‘city’ is feminine. In exaltation over all that the Lord has done for His people, the “daughter of Zion” (NASB; a poetic description of the people of Jerusalem) will shout in triumph and be jubilant of heart because the Lord will have taken away all that had previously hindered her from receiving His blessing. (Barber, C. J. (1985). Habakkuk and Zephaniah (p. 123). Chicago, IL: Moody Press.)
• Christmas season is usually a time for joy for many people. The reason we don’t see much joy now is because most of the traditional sources of joy have dried up. For the believer, we can still have joy because of the relationship with Christ. That relationship has not changed. When everyone else is miserable, we can exude a Christ centered Joy.
Illustration: Angels from the Realms of Glory
When the Moravian Christians of Europe launched Protestant missions, they did it at a cost. Many of them had to leave their children behind in boarding schools across England and the Continent. And so it was that the Montgomery family reluctantly placed six-year-old James in such an institution as they shipped off as foreign missionaries to the West Indies. When they later perished, James, left with nothing, spent his teenage years drifting from pillar to post, writing poetry and trying his hand at one thing then another. In his early twenties, he began working for a British newspaper, the Sheffield Iris, and there he found his niche. When his editorials proved unpopular with the local officials, he was thrown into jail and fined twenty pounds. But he emerged from prison a celebrity, and he used his newly acquired fame to promote his favorite issues. Chief among them was the Gospel. Despite the loss of his parents and all his hardships, James Montgomery remained devoted to Christ and the Scriptures. As the years passed, he became the most respected leader in Sheffield, and his writings were eagerly read by its citizens. Early on Christmas Eve, 1816, James, forty-five, opened his Bible, and was deeply impressed by Luke 2:13. Pondering the story of the heralding angels, he took his pen and started writing. By the end of the day his new Christmas poem was being delivered to England in the pages of his newspaper. It was later set to music and was first sung on Christmas Day, 1821, in a Moravian Church in England. “Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth; Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ the new-born King”. (Adapted from Robert J. Morgan, From This Verse (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1998), installment for August 2nd.)
Believers can have joy in the coming of Christ through the:
2) Reasons for the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:15–17)
Zephaniah 3:15-17 [15] The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. [16] On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. [17]The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (ESV)
The first explicit reason that Zephaniah offers for their rejoicing is that ‘The LORD has taken away the judgments/punishment against you’ (3:15). Ancient Israel’s problems, like our own, are not simply, or even primarily, those that arise from external factors; they also arise from the sin that lives and threatens to rule in the human heart. It is this that has caused the invasions to come about in the first place; the wrath of God—whether it takes the form of an invading army sent to punish, or that accumulated outburst which awaits the impenitent at death or on the Day of Judgement (Rom. 2:5)—is His response to sin’s rebellion. Therefore, to have this dealt with, to have it once and for all behind us, ought to be a great source of joy to the child of God. (2 Cor. 5:17–19). (The Lord) has taken away the nation’s judgments because her sin has been punished and she has been purified. A second reason for rejoicing is that ‘He has cleared away/turned back your enemies’ (3:15). It must be remembered that this enemy was God’s means of chastising his rebellious people. Neither the Assyrians who overthrew Israel in 722 B.C. nor the Babylonians who were destined to overthrow Judah in 586 B.C. had assailed God’s people simply at their own instigation (cf. Hab. 2:15–17). All enemies, including the spiritual enemy of idolatry which had infected the nation for so long, have been cast out. The third reason for rejoicing is that ‘The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst/with you’ (3:15). Of course, the Lord never really forsakes them. His consistent promise to his people is that he will never do so (Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:5; Heb. 13:5). Sometimes, however, it is made to seem as if he is a long way off. This is especially (though not exclusively) so when we are consciously disobedient to him. The LORD himself reigns forever within and there will never again be spiritual defection. Because of Jehovah’s presence and purification, the nation need have no fear of enemies from without or within. They can give their time and effort wholly to the worship of Jehovah (KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1781–1782). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).
Please turn to Isaiah 7
The emerging picture of a virgin-born son of David’s house called God-with-us (Isaiah 7:14) who also is Father-of-eternity (9:5) gives expression to the only reality by which all human needs and the promises of God may be synchronized. Only a God-man who rules in fulfillment of the promises to the fathers can be King of Israel ruling in Zion as fulfillment of the promises given to David (Robertson, O. P. (1990). The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (338). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co).
This is how Isaiah explains it:
Isaiah 7:10-17 [10] Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, [11]"Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." [12] But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." [13] And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? [14] Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. [15] He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. [16] For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. [17]The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah--the king of Assyria." (ESV)
We are immediately informed of a series of welcome benefits of having such a King in the midst of his people. First, all fear is banished: ‘you shall never again fear evil/any harm.’ When the Lord is among his people, We can believe the promise that Christ proclaims in John 10: “ ‘I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand’ (John 10:28–29). The personal presence of the Lord shall render ineffective all the powers of evil and harm (Kaiser, W. C., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1992). Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Vol. 23, pp. 239–240). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.).
In verse 16, fear is being connected with despair (cf. Isa. 13:7). The picture presented is both graphic and immediately recognizable. It is a portrait of someone who has been reduced to utter despair. His hands, the instruments by which he normally does his work, are hanging limply by his side (cf. Heb. 12:12; Isa. 35:3). It is as if he has no energy left within him, he is weak. He has been reduced to hopelessness; he doesn’t have the heart to go on. ‘On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, “Fear not/Do not fear, O Zion; let not/do not let your hands grow weak/hang limp’. Now the question is: who will say such things to the inhabitants of this city? The answer seems to be that their deliverance has become common knowledge; it is said by everyone (3:9–10). Such is the contrast between their former and present state that the whole world will join in the general praise of the arrival of their longed-for peace and security. That day will throw off all discouragements. That day will close with the establishment of peace and of righteousness. (These are) are words of hope. ( Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher’s commentary (p. 490). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Yet, the reason not to fear is presented in verse 17 because ‘The LORD your God is in your midst/with you’ (3:17). Once again, this opening sounds very familiar (see 3:15). But even here something very special is immediately added. It is that this God is most definitely theirs (‘your God’). “The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice” (Ps 97:1). (Barker, K. L. (1999). Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (Vol. 20, pp. 495–496). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
• It is not the mere awareness of Christ that comforts. It is when He is our God that is with us.
This wonderful assurance is then immediately followed by another: ‘He is a mighty one who will save.’ (gibbôr). He is the ‘warrior’, or even ‘a mighty, the ‘mighty God’ of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy (Isa. 9:6). (Palmer Robertson, The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, p.338.) The prophet says that ‘He will rejoice/take great delight over you.’ As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (cf. Is. 62:4), the Lord will (be joyous) over His people with gladness and song, resting in quiet ecstasy over His people in whom is all His delight (cf. Deut. 30:9; Is. 54) (The MacArthur Study Bible. 1997 (J. MacArthur, Jr., Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zep 3:17). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.).
Secondly, the prophet says that ‘He will quiet you by his love.’ What we see here is the Warrior, ‘mighty to save’, now resting in the satisfaction of his victory and the loving relationship that exists between him and his people. The war is over, and a new people acknowledge his rule and trust his name (cf. 3:12). In other words, this is a picture of great contentment in the heart of God over what he has achieved on behalf of his people. Finally, the prophet says, ‘He will exult/rejoice over you with loud singing.’ Having exhorted them to rejoice, it is now time for God to rejoice over them. None other than the elect of God are the objects of such all-consuming love. Not in them or for anything in them is to be found the reason for his love. In the nature of God himself may be discovered the only explanation of this love (cf. Deuteronomy 30:9-10) (Robertson, O. P. (1990). The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (341–342). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
• Immediately for us, we can delight and rejoice that Advent is a time not only when we celebrate what God has promised, but with great awe come to realize that God Himself delights to celebrate with us.
Illustration: (Love That Will Not Let Go)
George Matheson was only fifteen when he was told he was losing what little poor eyesight he had. Not to be denied, Matheson continued straightaway with his plans to enroll in the University of Glasgow, and his determination led to his graduating at age nineteen. But as he pursued graduate studies in theology for Christian ministry he did become blind. His sisters joined ranks beside him, learning Greek and Hebrew to assist him in his studies. He pressed faithfully on. But his spirit collapsed when his fiancée, unwilling to be married to a blind man, broke their engagement and returned his ring. He never married, and the pain of that rejection never totally left him. Years later, as a well-loved pastor in Scotland, his sister came to him, announcing her engagement. He rejoiced with her, but his mind went back to his own heartache. He consoled himself in thinking of God’s love which is never limited, never conditional, never withdrawn, and never uncertain. Out of this experience he wrote the hymn, O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go. “O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths it flow May richer, fuller be.”(Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) (356–357). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Finally, believers can have joy in the coming of Christ through:
3) Realizing the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:18-20)
Zephaniah 3:18-20 [18]I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. [19] Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. [20]At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says the LORD. (ESV)
In the final three verses of the book, a first-person speech describes the salvation (the Lord) will bring to the restored remnant. The speech emphasizes the future actions of (the Lord) with the repeated first-singular verbs generally translated “I will”. What is it that God promises to do for his people? What incentive to perseverance does He set before them that they might be encouraged to press on? In a nutshell, He repeats His promise to restore a state of blessedness to His people. He sets this out in a number of ways. (Ham, C., & Hahlen, M. (2001-). Minor Prophets. The College Press NIV Commentary (243). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co.).
The first thing that the Lord does is to assure the people that He will remove the main cause of their sorrow. First among them is a sense of loss: morn for the festival/The sorrows for the appointed feasts’ As a people, they have been dispersed (‘scattered’, 3:19) among the nations, with all that this would mean in terms of a denial of access to the religious festivals. ‘The city is ruined, and the palaces are demolished; trade is at an end, and the administration of public justice; but all these are nothing to them in comparison with the desolations of the sanctuary, the destruction of the temple and the altar, to attend on which, in solemn feasts, all Israel used to come together three times a year. It is for those sacred solemn assemblies that they are sorrowful.’ Their sorrows are aggravated by an accompanying sense of burden and reproach. In the first place, their lack of access to ‘the appointed feasts’ would be a constant reminder of the reasons for their exile. Successive generations had been disobedient to the covenant that the Lord had established with them. They had neglected and abused their ritual obligations. Now, following judgement and exile to a strange land, their very distance from the place where those rituals were once celebrated would bring the burden of their disgrace home to them. But, secondly, just living as a despised and disgraced people among their conquerors would be a further source of discomfort to them. They would undoubtedly suffer the taunts of their conquerors (cf. Psalm 137) (Matthew Henry, Commentary, vol. 4, p.1092.)
• This is a message we need to hear perhaps more than any other year. The Lord promises to remove the sorrow of our physically isolated families, closed and struggling businesses and the separation of our assembly. He Himself is the answer to these problems. He promises to make His presence felt, comfort us in our sorrow and heal our hurts if we will but go to Him.
We are seeking an answer to the question: when will these promises be fulfilled? No less than three times in two verses, the Lord assures them that these promises will be brought to pass ‘at that time’ (3:19, 20)—that is, at the same time that He does all the other things that are mentioned in these verses. The time of the return of the King, Messiah, when the Jews will be regathered and become a source of blessing to the world, fulfilling Israel’s original destiny (Deut. 26:18,19; Is. 62:7). (The MacArthur Study Bible. 1997 (J. MacArthur, Jr., Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zep 3:19).)
This immediately suggests two things: first, that God has a purpose and that it will certainly be accomplished. His sovereignty shines through once again. There is a ‘fixed time of deliverance’; there is ‘a predetermined time’ and an ‘appointed’ time (Heb. 9:27, NKJ or a ‘fulness of time’ (Gal. 4:4, ES No matter how bad things may seem to be from a human perspective, there is nothing haphazard about the ways of God: ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time’ (Eccles. 3:11). This, again, should constantly inspire the believing heart with confidence. Finally, this is His time, not ours. Not only would these people experience a sense of loss, but they were under oppression. At the appointed time, God will step in and lift the oppression. He will do so by dealing with the oppressors themselves: ‘Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors.’ This has already been assured (3:15) but, under the torments of the oppression itself, the temptation to despair must have been very strong. This repetition is therefore intended to counter that tendency. There is, however, an additional factor here. The blessings of ‘that time’ will not be confined to the removal of oppressors. There is to be a gathering too. (John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries, vol. 15, p.307.).
What immediately follows is an almost exact repetition of Micah 4:6. The Lord says, ‘I will save/rescue the lame and gather the outcast/those who have been scattered.’ This is almost certainly intended to reinforce the truth that no condition—not even lameness—will hinder God’s rescue of his people and their restoration to the promised land. The gathering implies more than a simple restoration to the land. ‘They shall be assembled as a reconstituted community of God’s people.’ The law had threatened banishment, but there were promises of restoration too (Deut. 30:1, 4) (Palmer Robertson, The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, p.345.).
• Although we long to gather with each other and our families, as we remember the birth of Christ, we see the fulfillment of God’s prophetic promises and how He perfectly orchestrates events to accomplish His marvellous ends. This separation will end, and it will end as we trust in God, His promises and be obedient to His leading.
In addition to this, there is the promise of a change in the way in which these people will be viewed by those around them. No longer will they be the objects of reproach. Instead they will be objects of praise and honour. God: ‘will change their shame into praise and renown/honor in all the earth”. (cf. Dt. 26:19; Jer. 13:11). Its main thought is that, as a result of what has happened to them, the once-despised people of God now find themselves the objects of awe and respect from the surrounding nations. This sudden elevation has nothing to do with any supposed merit in themselves. It is entirely due to the activity of God. Those who seek the Lord diligently with humble trust, longing for the day of His redemption, will be sheltered in that day. Then they will rejoice in His loving presence. (Clendenen, E. R. (1998). The Minor Prophets. In D. S. Dockery (Ed.), Holman concise Bible commentary (p. 379). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
• Why on earth are we spending several weeks in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ dealing with Advent prophecy. Why not just tell simple heart-warming Christmas stories and sing simple jingles. It’s the difference between a superficial sentimentality and a God exalting, praise and honour that comes from the magnanimity of the glory of the one who brings this wonder about.
Finally, this gathering and renown/honouring are reiterated, and their application expanded, in the closing verse (20) of this prophecy. The emphasis is still upon that which will happen ‘at that time’—that is, on the day appointed for judgement and restoration. Three things are stressed. First, ‘I will bring you in/gather you.’ As was said before, this simple reiteration of the statement made in the previous verse is probably in order to underline the fact that this gathering will really happen. When the Jews were in exile they were like people who had been cast into a grave; the last thing in the world that they could imagine is that they would ever be delivered. Nevertheless, the promise, though difficult to believe, would be fulfilled (John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries, vol. 15, p.311.).
Secondly, God adds a particularly encouraging touch of comfort ‘At the time I will bring you in/home.’ Not only are the remnant to be ‘gathered’, but brought ‘in/home’. That is what God does. He is doing it at this moment as he presses the claims of Jesus upon rebellious sinners’ hearts. That can be your story too. What joy to find your way back to the Father’s household!( Boice, J. M. (2002). The Minor Prophets: an expositional commentary (p. 460). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.)
Thirdly, although the words are not specifically used again, ‘at that time’ is clearly envisaged. This time it is to reiterate what had been said in the previous verse: ‘I will make/give you renowned/honour and praised among all the peoples …’ The most important thing to notice is the widening expanse of those from whom they will receive this acknowledgement. Not only will this acknowledgement be found ‘in every land where they were put to shame’, but ‘among all the peoples of the earth’. The work of redemption, as well as judgment, belongs to the Lord. He will accomplish his purposes with his people. This promise is the basis of their hope and joy. (F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, p. 564). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
• The wonderful prophecy of the coming of Christ is not something to be just celebrated ourselves but we are called to invite our colleagues, neighbours, family and everyone to whom we come into contact to celebrate together.
The final clause of this prophecy provides a general answer to the question: when will all that has been prophesied in this book take place? When will ‘that day’ which will bring both judgement and restoration arrive? When will ‘honour and praise’ be lavished upon the people of God ‘among all the peoples of the earth’? The answer is ‘when I restore your fortunes/return your captives’ The words that immediately follow, and which also form part of the promise, speak of its details being fulfilled ‘before your eyes’. ‘Neither Zephaniah’s contemporaries nor those who lived to see the restoration of Israel to Palestine experienced all that the prophet promised.’ (Palmer Robertson, The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, p.346.)
Please turn to Isaiah 61
While it is true that ‘that day’ will be one of inexplicable horror to those who have opposed God and his covenant, it will also be one that will usher in an unparalleled and unsurpassable state of everlasting blessedness for the people of God. It will be a glorious day of bodily resurrection, perfect freedom from all the debilitating effects of sin and death, complete harmony throughout a rejuvenated universe and, the greatest prize of all, Christlikeness.
As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, Isaiah promises us:
Isaiah 61:1-3 [61:1]The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; [2]to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; [3]to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. (ESV)
In these dark moments, we understand our need for a Savior. We are sure of the world’s need of His light and love. The heaviness experienced by those who have lost loved ones, including innocent children can only be understood by our heavenly Father whose Son did not deserve to die. As we “Anticipate the Prophecy of God” we are even more resolved to teach the authority of God’s Word. Without it, there would be no hope, no peace. When the ways of our world do not make sense, we are only sure of God. (As believers) we are sure of our eternity with Him. And we are sure that many still do not know Him or believe His Word is truth. Lord Jesus, move us. Use us to help those who are hurting to know Your love, Your hope, and Your peace. (http://nlpgblogs.com/2012/12/14/school-shooting-a-columbine-fathers-perspective/)
(Format note: Some base commentary from Webber, D. (2004). The Coming of the Warrior-King: Zephaniah Simply Explained. Welwyn Commentary Series (153–185). Darlington, England: Evangelical Press.)
