Zephaniah chapters 2-3/Commentary

Zephaniah Chapters 2-3

Chapter 2

2:1 “Gather yourselves together, yes, father, O nation without shame” The term rendered gather is used for gathering stubble or sticks for burning. The verb root means literally to stoop down as if to gather straw. This is not so much a call to assemble as it is a call to humble themselves. The nation was without shame, because of their callousness they were unable to blush or feel ashamed when they sinned.

2:2 Time is limited; the need to repent is urgent! If judgment is to be averted, then repentance must happen before the appointed time of God’s retribution. If repentance can be commanded, then it is a matter of choice. God believes if people are really serious about serving Him and if they take His word seriously, then they can change. “The day of God’s grace was swiftly passing just as chaff was swiftly blown from a threshing floor” (Smith p. 414).

2:3 “Seek the Lord all you humble of the earth”: God now addresses the faithful few who are left in the land. Observe that humility is a key ingredient in serving God and such humility is demonstrated by obeying God’s commandments. Beware of a false humility and false spirituality that tries to tell you that we don’t really have to keep God’s law. “They must cast away every trace of self-righteousness and pride” (Smith p. 415). “Perhaps you will be hidden”: Such action was the only hope. God doesn’t offer any guarantees, even the faithful few might have to experience, along the wicked, God’s temporal judgment upon Jerusalem. “Zephaniah could not offer more assurance than the Lord had revealed to him” (Smith p. 415).

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The Focus on the Surrounding Nations God issues His judgment against nations, which surrounded Judah as another incentive to repent. “The devastation of these neighbors should make the citizens of Judah take warning as they face the day of Yahweh’s wrath. God must punish unrighteousness wherever it is found…Zephaniah selects one nation in each of the four directions of the compass to illustrate his point: the Philistines in the west, Moab and Ammon in the east, Cush in the south and Assyria in the north” (Smith p. 416).

The Philistines: 2:4-7

2:4 The four cities, Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron represented the entire area of Philistia. “Will be driven out at noon”: Usually invading armies rested during the hot noon hours. An attack at noontime had the purpose of surprising the unwary enemy. This city would be attacked and taken when they least expected it. Another idea is the expression may mean that the city would be taken in only half-of-a-day. The expression shall be rooted up depicts a total destruction.

2:5 “The nation of the Cherethites!”: This term appears to be an earlier name for the Philistines, or might be a branch of the Philistine family. “The word literally means, nation of the Cretans, thus referring to some Cretans who migrated eastward and settled on the Mediterranean coastal plains” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 1529). The word is pronounced “KER ih thites”. “The word of the Lord is against you”: Today, some people would say, “So what?” There are so many people, even in religious circles who feel that the Bible doesn’t accurately depict the true feelings, disposition, or plans of God. Yet in this verse, if you are in violation of the word of God, then God is against you! We cannot separate God’s will from what is revealed in the Scriptures (John 12:48). The once populous seacoast will become desolate and what happened to the Canaanites will happen to the Philistines.

2:6-7 This area would be so depopulated that it would become pastures for the herding of sheep. The remnant (the faithful few) would possess this territory in the future. For the Philistines there was no hope beyond judgment, but God would restore the fortunes of Israel, the faithful few would come back to the land

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(Ezra, Nehemiah). Such a promise had been given as early as the time of Moses (Deut. 30:1-3).

In the East: Moab and Ammon: 2:8-11 2:8 “I have heard the taunting of Moab”: The inhabitants of these two nations had shown hostility to God’s people on every opportunity (Numbers 22; Judges 3:12-30; 1 Samuel 12:9; 2 Kings 3:5-27; 13:20; Nehemiah 2:10,19; 4:3,7). For centuries they had ridiculed Israel, sought to dominate her, and heaped insults upon the Israelites and their God. They had set their sights on possessing the inheritance that God had given to His people. “This sin was all the worse because Israel, under divine directive, had always respected the borders of Ammon” (Smith p. 418). Other prophets noted that Moab and Ammon haughtingly violated Judah’s borders and ridiculed their distant Jewish relatives (Isaiah 16:6; 25:10-11; Jeremiah 48:29-30; Ezekiel 25:1-3). God is still very observant concerning how others treat His people (Acts 9:1-4).

2:9 “Therefore, as I live”: Seeing that God is eternal, this threat is certain. These nations would meet a fate like that which befell ancient Sodom and Gomorrah, that is, complete desolation. Sodom and Gomorrah were real cities, and this means that Genesis 19 is historically accurate. The destruction would be to such an extent that the land would be overgrown with nettles, thorns, and thistles.

“Weed and salt pits reflect desolation and sterility. To this day many rockstrewn ruins of ancient villages in the regions of ancient Moab and Ammon bear mute testimony to the truth of the prophet’s words. Only a remnant of God’s people would be needed to plunder these ancient enemies, and only the survivors of Israel would inherit the ancient sites of Moab and Ammon” (Gaebelein p. 554).

Ancient Sodom and Gormorrah were located near the territory of Moab and Ammon. In mentioning these two cities, the inference seems to be that the Moabites and Ammonites knew about these cities and what had happened to them. “The traditions regarding the destruction of those two sinful cities must have been widely circulated among the Moabites and Ammonites” (Smith p. 419).

2:10 Their besetting sin is named, “pride or arrogance”. Proudly and stubbornly they had clung to their man-made gods. A lack of self-esteem was not their problem, rather, they had too much self-esteem!

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2:11 “For He will starve all the gods of the earth”: “This means that he would bring idolaters to such straits that they would no longer be able to bring the sacrifices required by their gods” (Smith p. 420). “The Lord destroys the gods by destroying the nations that depend on these gods; these deities have no real existence apart from the people who serve them” (Gaebelein p. 554).

In The South: Ethiopia 2:12 The Cushites or Ethiopians are descendants of Cush, the son of Ham (Genesis 10:6). These people, residing in the upper Nile region (today’s southern Egypt, Sudan, and northern Ethiopia), were the southernmost people known to Judah. Cushite kings had dominated Egypt until their defeat in 670 B.C. at the hands of the Assyrians. “The point is that if God’s sword can smite distant Cush, should not Judah take warning?” (Smith p. 422).

In The North: Assyria (2:13-15)

2:13 Assyria had ruled the world from about 1100 B.C. onwards, and Nineveh was the cultural capital of the world when Zephaniah wrote, yet that great city would “dry up like the wilderness”. Some 200 years after Zephaniah wrote, the former world capital was completely in ruins. The expression parched like the wilderness is fitting because the city had many irrigation canals.

2:14 The busy city would be replaced by the sounds of beasts and birds. The image that emerges here is one of depopulation, destruction, and ruin. “Instead of marching armies and a prosperous population, the prophet predicted the flocks of sheep and goats and all kinds of creatures would be found at Nineveh” (Gaebelein p. 555). The prediction of Nineveh’s utter desolation while that Assyrian capital ruled the world testifies to the divine origin of Zephaniah’s message. The prediction that God would leave Nineveh parched like the wilderness is remarkable in view of the fame of the city’s great irrigation system.

Here is one more proof that the Bible is the word of God, for it contains prophecies that no man would have foreseen. To this day, the ruins of Nineveh are still a haunt for wild animals. Carefully note that when God judged a city or empire He didn’t give the same prophecy against every city or nation. While shepherds would bring their flocks to Nineveh (2:14), God said that shepherds would not come near Babylon after that city was destroyed (Isaiah 13:20).

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2:15 Nineveh was viewed as invincible and impregnable. It was known as a carefree city, as its population felt it lived in complete safety. The city was quite large, having with its suburban areas of circumference of 60 miles and a population of at least 120,000 (Jonah 4:11; 3:3). In addition to an extensive outer wall there was an inner wall with a eight-mile circumference, 50 feet thick and 100 feet high. Between the two walls was enough farmland to support the huge population. For approximately 200 years this city had ruled the world. This same claim to self-sufficiency is found in reference to the city of Babylon (Isaiah 47:8). God can bring any empire down. How many people today have the same attitude? I am, and there is no one besides me. Proud, successful, self-sufficient, on top of the world—yet not right with the Lord! This once proud city would become an object of scorn and ridicule. Actually, the city was so completely destroyed that for centuries people had passed by without even knowing that a city had existed here.

Some History An attack on the outer wall, begun in 614 B.C. by the Medes and Babylonians, was initially withstood by the Ninevites, but a combination of trickery by the attackers, carelessness by the attacked, and a natural disaster, finally brought victory to the attackers. The great inner wall collapsed because of an unexpected deluge that swelled the Tigris River in a normally dry season of the year and inundated the wall. Thus the city was unexpectedly defeated.

Chapter 3

Judgment upon Jerusalem

3:1 After the series of judgments against various surrounding nations, the prophet returns to focus on Jerusalem and Judah. Jerusalem had sunk to the level of her heathen neighbors. “In one of the severest indictments recorded in Scripture, the Lord charges her with having become filthy, literally rebellious, defiant, mutinous, against her Lord; polluted, contaminated by bloody guilt, sins crying to heaven for vengeance” (Laetsch p. 374).

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3:2 This city had refused to listen to all of God’s warnings through His prophets.

Note, if someone isn’t listening to God it means that they don’t trust Him, rather, they are trusting in something else. Jerusalem had placed all her trust in false gods, military power, and in alliances with other nations. And when people no longer listen to God, they also become very selfish and end up violating the rights of others. This free-living city, this city that was doing its own thing, is called “tyrannical”. The rejection of God’s truth will not make us more loving, rather, it will only make us more selfish (Titus 3:3). Be impressed that people who depart into false doctrine are said to use other people for their own selfish purposes (2 Peter 2:1ff).

3:3 Her rulers and judges were corrupt, they were like vicious wild animals that utterly devour their victims. Instead of being shepherds, they had become wolves.

3:4 “Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men”: They were reckless in the sense that they presumed to speak in the name of God when God had not spoken. Like many religious leaders today, who make claims that are not true and they pervert verses to support their positions (2 Peter 3:16). “They abused the trust of God’s people. They used their sacred office to further their own agenda” (Smith p. 428). The priests of the time where not any better, they profaned the sanctuary, probably by bringing into the temple pagan idols (1:4-5).

They completely neglected and abused God’s law for their own ends. “They did violence to the Law which they were to teach to the people and the proper observance of which they were to safeguard (Lev. 10:11; Deut. 31:9ff; 33:8; Malachi 2:7ff). Instead, they twisted it to suit their own advantage (Jeremiah 7:811)” (Laetsch p. 375). Anyone who takes seriously what is written in the Old Testament is not shocked to learn that the majority of the religious world is in error, for it has always been in error! In addition, neither is one shocked to learn that many who profess to speak for God, actually are doing nothing more than selfishly advancing their own agenda.

3:5 God is unchanging in His righteousness and He will never compromise His standards, regardless of what the majority, even of His professed people do!

“The Lord in Israel’s midst was a righteous standard against which the people were measured” (Gaebelein p. 557). However, His people remained calloused and felt no shame for what they were doing. Like a good number of people in our society, Israel viewed God’s mercy as a license to sin (Jude 4). Every morning God brought His justice to light in: 1. The sacrifices, which were offered in the temple should have reminded the people of their sins. 2. The continual 6

preaching of His prophets. 3. His judgment upon the surrounding nations.

Israel should have learned that God will punish wickedness wherever it is found!

He is no respecter of persons!

3:6 God reminds the citizens of Jerusalem how He had judged the wicked in other nations. He had brought entire world empires to political extinction. Even as Zephaniah spoke, the battlements of those nations were desolate, the streets of their cities empty. Travelers no longer visited those once proud places. The entire northern kingdom had already gone into captivity.

3:7 Such judgments should have moved Israel to have a greater respect for God. “But they were eager to corrupt all their deeds”: “But instead of giving heed to the Lord, she had risen early to be about her wickedness as one who rises early to get to his work” (Hailey p. 242). This isn’t ignorance, but a deliberate and conscious choice to reject God and continue in their evil ways. Such judgments, even upon their northern brothers had not even slowed them down and made them think. Rather, they were just as eager to sin as they had always been.

3:8 The expression wait for Me is a promise given to the faithful few left in the land. When the wicked prosper the righteous can only trust that in His own time God will bring judgment. God’s day was coming (and is coming).

Deliverance for the Faithful Few 3:9 Following the judgment coming upon the nations and even Judah, God will gather together those who want to serve Him. Another reason why the faithful should be patient, is because out of such judgments, some people will turn to the Lord. Purified lips represent people who give up not only profanity, but also the names of idols, and adopt language that includes respect for God and other human beings. Since lips speak out what is in the heart, purified lips point to purified hearts, or conversion. “To serve Him shoulder to shoulder”: ”All will put their shoulder to His service in joyful gratitude for His salvation” (Laetsch p.

377). Here is the unity that will exist among those converted (1 Corinthians 1:10), and the idea that each individual will do his or her part (Ephesians 4:16).

3:10 God will even have worshipers from beyond distant Ethiopia. This probably points to the evangelistic efforts of the early church in spreading the gospel to every nation (Mark 16:15). It could also include dispersed people of Jewish ancestry who were brought back to God through the preaching of the gospel (James 1:1).

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3:11 The reason that no shame will be felt is because sin will be forgiven. “The community of faith is pictured without shame because God had removed all those who were resolute in sin” (Smith p. 431). God’s judgments have a way of removing all the proud, and self-sufficient ones. In addition, the gospel message was purposely designed to weed out anyone who wants to at all cost hold on to his or her pride (1 Corinthians 1:26ff). God’s holy mountain (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1ff), is the same relationship known as the kingdom of God or the church. The true church is composed of humble people.

3:12 Those who compose the church in the future, the true Israel, will be humble, poor in spirit, rather than exalting themselves. They will be people who are humbled and bowed down because they realize their own unworthiness, sinfulness, and need for God’s guidance and mercy.

3:13 The church will be composed of people who have given up habitual sins (1 Peter 4:1-5). They are truthful and honest (Ephesians 4:25ff), and will chose to feed on truth and righteousness, instead of deception. “Thus the thought is that the redeemed adopt the character of their God. They reflect the image of God (Colossians 3:10) in their daily walk (3:13). The redeemed would not be hypocrites, saying one thing while doing another” (Smith p. 431).

Celebration over the Outcome: 3:14-20 While this book opens with one of the most blunt descriptions of the wrath of God, the book closes with one of the grandest depictions of His love. Remember, whether we receive His wrath or His love is our choice, and is based upon our attitude towards Him. If we remain defiant, we will be punished, if we repent, we will be blessed. This celebration is not for the unrepentant, but for those who come to God, for the remnant, the faithful few. Beyond this judgment, the future for the remnant is bright. Thus, the faithful are encouraged to sing, shout, and be glad. In like manner, often the world that we live in looks very bleak, but a great day of deliverance and salvation is coming! “In the darkest hour Biblical hope casts joyous rays of light on the believer’s path” (Smith p. 432).

3:14 Do we rejoice with all our heart, seeing that we are part of the kingdom here promised? Do we exult in our salvation? Do we shout in triumph seeing that we have been forgiven? The expressions daughter of Zion, Israel, and daughter of Jerusalem all refer to the same group of people. The apostles noted that the church, composed of Jewish and Gentile believers, is the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 2:11ff; 1 Peter 2:4-10).

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3:15 Having been forgiven, the citizens of the New Testament Zion (the church) no longer stand under God’s condemnation (Romans 8:1). In addition, any forces, which try to oppose God’s people, will eventually be destroyed. We have seen this throughout history. The church still exists, but many of her former enemies do not!

3:16 Since God is for us, we must not yield to fear or discouragement. Fear hinders effective service (Revelation 21:8). Believers must not let fear intimidate them or in any way hinder their service. Christians are also told, do not let your hands fall limp (Hebrews 12:12-13). Slack hands symbolize despair.

3:17 The same God who created the universe and wrought great wonders for God’s people in the Old Testament, is the God who is in the midst of Christians today! Such a promise should give us confidence and courage. God wants to see His people joyfully and confidently serving Him. “He will be quiet in His love”: There are times when God simply rejoices over His people (Luke 15:7,10) and there are times when He quietly contemplates their faithful service.

Brethren, seeing that God rejoices over seeing us serve Him, should we not serve Him with eagerness? Since God rejoices when we resist temptation, shouldn’t we be all the more motivated to resist as much as we can? Do we have any joy in giving God joy?

3:18 God here promises to gather the faithful who will go into exile, the faithful who mourn because for years and decades they will unable to worship God in Jerusalem. Here are people who sorrow when deprived of worship. The shame of Jerusalem’s destruction and the forfeiting of the Promised Land was a heavy burden for the faithful few—they took it personally! They were ashamed of their sins that brought the disaster. They had to bear up under the reproach of enemies who mocked their continued faith in God. How about us? Do we love God so much that we would miss assembling with the saints, if deprived of such? Do we take it personally when a congregation doesn’t grow, when people fall away, or when Christians shame the church by ungodly behavior?

3:19 The faithful are assured that eventually God does deal with everyone who oppresses the remnant.

3:20 God did give Israel renown and praise in view of the fact that the Messiah did come from the Jewish nation (John 4:22; Romans 9:1-5), and in the fact that God did restore them to their land.

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