IV. Hope for Israel and the Nations (Zephaniah 3:9-20)
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IV. Hope for Israel and the Nations (3:9-20)
3:9-12 As jaw-dropping as God’s judgment is, so much more is his grace. Though he vows to judge Jerusalem and the nations, he also promises to restore (3:9). He will remove . . . arrogant people and leave a meek and humble people (3:11-12).
Satan fell because of pride (see Isa 14:12-15; Ezek 28:17). He wanted the glory that was God’s alone. And he’s been leading humanity in the same direction ever since. But, we must remember that God “resists the proud and gives grace to the humble” (Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5). There’s room for only one deity, and the role is taken.
3:13-20 The remnant that places trust in God and his plan of salvation will find safety and security (3:13). They will sing for joy and celebrate because the Lord removed their punishment (3:14-15). There is no greater joy than knowing the sins that condemned you have been forgiven!
If you are God’s child, not only will you rejoice and shout for joy, but God himself will rejoice over you and delight in you with singing (3:17). God doesn’t merely save repentant sinners from destruction; he makes them his own. Moreover, those who were disgraced will receive praise and fame (3:19-20). That’s an agenda you want to be part of.
May the church of Jesus Christ live before the world as if the King of Israel . . . is among us (3:15). Live all of life under God because he has spoken (3:20).