ZEPHANIAH
3:9-17
Review
The
northern kingdom (Israel) conquered by Assyria. The southern kingdom (Judah)
not been conquered but influenced and were worshipping pagan gods (Molech and
Baal) until Josiah found the book of the law. The prophet Zephaniah warns of a
coming judgment – The Day of the Lord.
Context
Set in
context of whole Bible with “Kingdom of God”.
Intro
Is there a positive or negative tone in
these verses? Last week was decidedly negative. There is a glimmer of hope here.
Verse 9
What happens to the people when they
are restored? Pure speech. What proceeds from the mouth is what is in man’s heart
(Matthew 12:34). He changes our speech with a changed heart.
Verses 10-11
Beyond
the rivers of Cush = South of Egypt. Would have been understood to be
universal.
Supplicant
= prayed to the Lord for help.
Verse 12
Where else do
we see “meek” mentioned in the Bible? Matthew 5:5 (from Psalm 37:11). Meekness is
humility toward God and toward others. It is having the right or the power to
do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else.
“Refuge in the name” – He delights in healing those
hurt by others who place their trust in Him.
Verse 13
What are four
characteristics of the remnant? No longer do
wrong (still sin but aren’t bound by it), no longer tell lies (our speech
changes, Psalm 5:6), rest in Jesus (friends with the Shepherd), live without
fear (he is our Protector).
Verse 14
What are four
commands for the remnant to obey? Sing for joy,
shout loudly (intense gratitude is hard to keep in), be glad, rejoice!
Verse 15
What will He
do for the remnant? He will
deliver them (Judah from Babylon, us from sin).
Verse
16-17
Why do they
not have to fear? God is in
their midst.
How is God
described? As a warrior who rejoices over us.
Apply (What now?)
Jesus is our warrior who saves us from
judgment.
Have you ever been rescued? How does it
make you feel that Jesus will fight for you?
The
thing to apply today is to escape while you can and bring others! The judgment
over Judah by Babylon points to a final divine judgment (Acts 17:31) over us.
Pray
Give us
strength to be diligent to live our lives for Christ in a world that is
adamantly opposed to His name. We will suffer because of that but we have a
mighty Warrior who is among us and ready to save.