13. nor speak lies—worshipping God in truth, and towards man having love without dissimulation. The characteristic of the 144,000 sealed of Israel. none shall make them afraid—either foreign foe, or unjust prince ( :-), prophet, or priest ( :-). read more
14. The prophet in mental vision sees the joyful day of Zion present, and bids her rejoice at it. read more
15. The cause for joy: "The Lord hath taken away thy judgments," namely, those sent by Him upon thee. After the taking away of sin ( :-) follows the taking away of trouble. When the cause is removed, the effect will cease. Happiness follows in the wake of holiness. the Lord is in the midst of thee—Though He seemed to desert thee for a time, He is now present as thy safeguard ( :-). not see evil any more—Thou shalt not experience it (Jeremiah 5:12; Jeremiah 44:17). read more
16. Let not thine hands be slack— (Hebrews 12:12). Do not faint in the work of the Lord. read more
17. he will rest in his love—content with it as His supreme delight (compare Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10) [CALVIN], (Isaiah 62:5; Isaiah 65:19). Or, He shall be silent, namely as to thy faults, not imputing them to thee [MAURER] (Psalms 32:2; Ezekiel 33:16). I prefer explaining it of that calm silent joy in the possession of the object of one's love, too great for words to express: just as God after the six days of creation rested with silent satisfaction in His work, for "behold it was very good"... read more
III. THE DAY OF YAHWEH’S BLESSING 3:9-20Having finished the revelation dealing with God’s judgment of the world in a coming day (Zephaniah 1:2 to Zephaniah 3:8), Zephaniah now announced that He would bring great blessing to all humankind after that judgment (Zephaniah 3:9-20). As in the section of the book on judgment, he revealed God’s plans for the Gentile nations briefly first and then spoke extensively about His plans for Israel."Why did the prophets consistently close their books with... read more
1. Israel’s purification 3:10-13 read more
B. The transformation of Israel 3:10-20Zephaniah had received from the Lord much more revelation about what He would do for Israel following the period of worldwide punishment. This section is also chiastic in its thought structure.A Israel’s purification Zephaniah 3:10-13B Israel’s and Yahweh’s rejoicing Zephaniah 3:14-17A’ Israel’s regathering Zephaniah 3:18-20 read more
In that day, the day of blessing to follow the day of judgment, Zephaniah’s hearers, the Jews, would not feel any more shame for all their previous rebellion against the Lord. They would not because He would remove all the pride from their hearts (cf. Ezekiel 20:34-38; Matthew 25:1-13). They would never again lift up themselves in haughtiness against Yahweh on His holy mountain Jerusalem (Psalms 2:6; Daniel 9:16; Joel 2:1; Obadiah 1:16; et al.). A feeling of shame comes from an awareness of... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zephaniah 3:12
12. afflicted . . . they shall trust in . . . Lord—the blessed effect of sanctified affliction on the Jewish remnant. Entire trust in the Lord cannot be, except where all cause for boasting is taken away (Isaiah 14:32; Zechariah 11:11). read more