IN Zephaniah we have the fierce anger of Jehovah poured out in His governmental dealings with His idolatrous and disobedient people; the cleansing in judgment of the polluted and oppressing city Jerusalem; the execution of judgment on the nations which had despised and afflicted His people; and lastly, the bringing into their promised blessing a remnant which shall honor Jehovah, and be made by Him a name and a praise in the earth, when the daughter of Jerusalem shall be glad, and rejoice with a whole heart.
Zephaniah prophesied in the reign of the pious king Josiah. The Lord by him pronounces terrible judgments, so as to consume all things, and cut off man from off the land. He will stretch out His hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the idolaters and them who have turned back from the Lord, and have not sought Him. The prophet goes on to declare that the day of the Lord is at hand—the great day of the Lord is near. He will search Jerusalem as with candles. A day of wrath and distress shall be upon men, because they have sinned against the Lord, from whose hand neither their silver nor gold can deliver; for it is a day of the Lord’s wrath, and He will make a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. (chapter 1)
But with all these judgments, as is usual in the prophets, a spared remnant is contemplated. “The meek of the earth” are exhorted to seek the Lord, and work righteousness; for it may be that they may be hid in the day of Jehovah’s fierce anger. He will turn away the captivity of the remnant of the horn of Judah. “The residue of my people” shall spoil Ammon and Moab, who have magnified themselves against the people of the Lord, “and the remnant of my people shall possess them.” God will also stretch out His hand against the north, and destroy the Assyrians. (chapter 2)
But the city is filthy and polluted, disobedient, deaf to the voice of His correction, and draws not near to her God. Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have polluted the sanctuary, and done violence to the law: the just Jehovah is in the midst thereof, and brings His judgment to light; but the unjust knoweth no shame. He cuts off the nations, wastes their streets, and destroys their cities; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of His jealousy. “Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, and serve Him with one consent.” “I also will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; for the King of Israel (Messiah), even the Lord, is in the midst of thee.... The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” Thus the prophet Zephaniah concludes by showing us what blessing and glory await God’s people Israel, when Messiah shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously.