Zephaniah 3:8-10

Therefore wait ye upon Me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey.

The encouraging aspects of God’s judgments

In this latter portion of his prophecy, in language pathetic, awe-inspiring, and sublime, Zephaniah foretells “the restitution of all things,” when “all the ends of the earth shall remember themselves, and turn unto the Lord.”

I. the beneficent end which the Almighty has in view in sending the judgments referred to.

1. The conversion of the heathen.

2. The bringing back of the dispersed of Judah, by the Gentiles.

II. The great effects which will follow the conversion and restoration as here predicted.

1. God will turn to the nations a pure language (Hebrews, “a pure lip “). And

2. The nations of the world shall all call upon the name of the Lord, and serve Him with one consent (Hebrews, “with one shoulder”).

III. The lessons to be drawn from the declared purpose of almighty God. These are--

1. Patience under the judgments of God.

2. Faith in the promises of God.

3. Encouragement from the partial fulfilment of the different judgments and promises of God. (C. Appleyard, B. A.)