Zephaniah 3
by Pastor David Groendyk
The prophecy of Zephaniah is an extended meditation on and explanation of the Day of the Lord, the day when God would come to visit his people. Chapter 3 is the glorious conclusion and an unexpected reversal of what has come before. Although it starts with a sober warning of judgment, it ends on a note of salvation and joy.
In verses 1–8, God promises judgment upon… Judah! God’s own nation faces his wrath. Why? For all the same reasons that the nations surrounding them face his wrath. They also have been rebellious and not listened to or trusted God (vv. 1–4). They have refused to repent when God told them to (vv. 6–7). They have broken their covenant promises to God and been unfaithful. God is acting according to his righteousness and justice in punishing these people (v. 5). Simply having the nominal title of ‘God’s people’ or ‘church-goer’ cannot save from God’s wrath. We must actually repent and turn away from our sin, trust in God alone for salvation, and draw near to him. Thankfully, our God is a patient God (v. 8). Judgment is coming, yes, but God is slow to dole it out. Why? To give us time to listen and turn. Even in the promises of his judgment, we see God’s graciousness.
In verses 9–13, God reveals that he has a plan to save the wicked nations whom he has just promised to judge in chapter 2. Notice the great contrast in these nations’ behavior from their previous behavior as well as wicked Judah’s behavior. They will have pure speech, worship the Lord, and serve him (v. 9), they are humble and lowly and seek refuge in God (v. 12), they no longer lie, cheat, steal, or oppress (v. 13). But notice even more importantly God’s role in the salvation of these nations. God is the one who changes their speech and turns their hearts (v. 9). God must be the one to convert the sinner, otherwise salvation is impossible. Often times when I think about sharing the gospel with a family member or neighbor or stranger, I think, “How in the world will this person ever believe what I’m going to tell them?” Do you ever think that? In one sense, that’s an absolutely correct thought. Nothing within themselves would ever agree to believe the gospel message and turn their backs on their old life. It has to be the Holy Spirit working in their hearts. But the good news is that when God has decided to do something, it will surely come about! When we bring the message of salvation to those outside the church, we should have confidence that God can and will save.
In verses 14–20, God promises to save… Judah! It’s a reversal of the earlier reversal! Even though God will punish his covenant people for rebelling against him, he will ultimately save a faithful remnant from the apostate nation. While it’s often difficult to understand the prophets’ writings, notice the very familiar language Zephaniah uses to describe salvation. God takes away the judgments against them, he has rescued them from their enemies, he is in their midst, there is no reason to fear, he rejoices over them, and he takes away all reason for mourning (vv. 15–18). The lame, the outcast, the weak, the humble, and the lowly are saved by God. What a glorious picture of a gracious God saving undeserving, helpless sinners!
The Day of the Lord and everything in this chapter has been partially fulfilled already, because God has indeed already come to visit his people. Because God visited his people in Jesus Christ and brought about salvation through the cross, we’ve been given a foretaste of that final Day when God will create the new heaven and the new earth. We have been saved, God has taken away our judgment, he currently dwells within us, and we have no reason to fear. All of those things are true right now if you trust in Christ for salvation. But we also look forward to the final fulfillment of Zephaniah 3. If you have time, read Revelation 21 and pick out as many parallels as you can between these two chapters. Revelation 21 is the grand fulfillment of the coming Day of the Lord, and for all of God’s children, it will be glorious.