Zephaniah 2

Zephaniah 2:1-15 . EXHORTATION TO REPENT BEFORE THE CHALDEAN INVADERS COME. DOOM OF JUDAH'S FOES, THE PHILISTINES, MOAB, AMMON, WITH THEIR IDOLS, AND ETHIOPIA AND ASSYRIA.

1. Gather yourselves--to a religious assembly, to avert the judgment by prayers ( Joel 2:16 ) [GROTIUS]. Or, so as not to be dissipated "as chaff" ( Zephaniah 2:2 ). The Hebrew is akin to a root meaning "chaff." Self-confidence and corrupt desires are the dissipation from which they are exhorted to gather themselves [CALVIN]. The foe otherwise, like the wind, will scatter you "as the chaff." Repentance is the gathering of themselves meant.
nation not desired--(Compare 2 Chronicles 21:20 ), that is, not desirable; unworthy of the grace or favor of God; and yet God so magnifies that grace as to be still solicitous for their safety, though they had destroyed themselves and forfeited all claims on His grace [CALVIN]. The Margin from Chaldee Version has, "not desirous," namely of returning to God. MAURER and GESENIUS translate, "Not waxing pale," that is, dead to shame. English Version is best.

2. Before the decree bring forth--that is, Before God's decree against you announced by me ( Zephaniah 1:1-18 ) have its fulfilment. As the embryo lies hid in the womb, and then emerges to light in its own due time, so though God for a time hides His vengeance, yet He brings it forth at the proper season.
before the day pass as the chaff--that is, before the day for repentance pass, and with it you, the ungodly, pass away as the chaff ( Job 21:18 , Psalms 1:4 ). M AURER puts it parenthetically, "the day (that is, time) passes as the chaff (that is, most quickly)." CALVIN, "before the decree bring forth" (the predicted vengeance), (then) the chaff (the Jews) shall pass in a day, that is, in a moment, though they thought that it would be long before they could be overthrown. English Version is best; the latter clause being explanatory of the former, and so the before being understood, not expressed.

3. As in Zephaniah 2:1 (compare Note, to humble themselves, so now he admonishes "the meek" to proceed in their right course, that so they may escape the general calamity ( Psalms 76:9 ). The meek bow themselves under God's chastisements to God's will, whereas the ungodly become only the more hardened by them.
Seek ye the Lord--in contrast to those that "sought not the Lord" ( Zephaniah 1:6 ). The meek are not to regard what the multitudes do, but seek God at once.
his judgment--that is, law. The true way of "seeking the Lord" is to "work judgment," not merely to be zealous about outward ordinances.
seek meekness--not perversely murmuring against God's dealings, but patiently submitting to them, and composedly waiting for deliverance.
it may be ye shall be hid--( Isaiah 26:20 , Amos 5:6 ). This phrase does not imply doubt of the deliverance of the godly, but expresses the difficulty of it, as well that the ungodly may see the certainty of their doom, as also that the faithful may value the more the grace of God in their case ( 1 Peter 4:17-19 ) [CALVIN]. Compare 2 Kings 25:12 .