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. Zephaniah 3:17
I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:16-20, which is the text for the sixth and final division for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20. Here the text concludes with great encouragement for the faithful remnant in Judah:
- God is with us - v17
- He saves - v17
- He rejoices over us with gladness - v17
- He quiets us with His love - v17
- He exults over us with loud singing - v17
- We no longer suffer reproach - v18
- He protects us from our enemies and oppressors - v19
- He saves the lame and gathers the outcast; their shame will turn into renown - v19
- His people will be renown and praised among all peoples of the earth - v20
- He will restore our fortunes - v20
Excerpts from the commentary:
- "The vast majority of this book has been filled with condemning language. By the time the reader gets halfway through chapter 3 it feels as if we have been beaten up, along with Judah, over and over again. This is not to suggest that they did not deserve the judgment, because they did, but this book levels the judgment in ways no other book does. It is swift, it is intense, and it is certain. On the heels of that comes the end of the book, particularly verses 17 and following. God is with them. God is for them. God is celebrating over them. These would seem the most unlikely of thoughts after the vast majority of the book, but these are exactly what God communicates through Zephaniah here."
- "[O]ur salvation, like the salvation of Israel, is not just a gift of grace (though it is), but is a hard fought victory over the forces of evil." See also Ephesians 6:12
- "Salvation is accompanied by a bloody price tag. Forgetting that can make it easy to dismiss or diminish salvation."
- "The disobedient people of God have repented, so God celebrates with rejoicing. Israel dishonors God by living as if He does not exist but they turn back, so God pours out His love on them. The people of Judah chase after their own happiness, trusting only in themselves, but then become humbled and contrite before God, so God shouts with joy over their return." See also the story of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15:20.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God indeed and Your grace is amazing as well - Your mercies are new every morning and they never cease! Thank You Jesus for Your amazing grace and for my salvation. I am not deserving. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
