Zephaniah 3 - Introduction
_A REPROOF OF JERUSALEM FOR DIVERSE SINS. AN EXHORTATION TO WAIT FOR THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL, AND TO REJOICE FOR THEIR SALVATION BY GOD._ _Before Christ 612._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A REPROOF OF JERUSALEM FOR DIVERSE SINS. AN EXHORTATION TO WAIT FOR THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL, AND TO REJOICE FOR THEIR SALVATION BY GOD._ _Before Christ 612._... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE TO HER THAT IS FILTHY, &C.— _Woe to her that provoketh wrath, and is defiled; to the oppressed city;_ or _city of oppressors._ Zephaniah 3:2. _Which heareth not the voice, nor receiveth instruction, nor hath hope in Jehovah, nor approacheth to her God._ Zephaniah 3:3. _Whose princes,_ &c.—_They... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY MORNING, &C.— That is, "Every day he fails not to give fresh evidences of his justice upon these princes, false prophets, and idolatrous priests." The allusion is to the custom of the Jews and neighbouring nations, who passed judgments only in the morning.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU WILT RECEIVE INSTRUCTION— _Thou,_ that is, _Jerusalem,_ whom, nevertheless, the examples of the neighbouring nations, whom God had destroyed, Zephaniah 3:6 profited not. Instead of, _But they rose early,_ &c. Houbigant reads, _But they delayed not to worship their vain gods._... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE— _Nevertheless._ "Notwithstanding these provocations, I exhort the pious among you to expect the accomplishment of the promises which I have made of restoring the Jewish nation to my favour: in order to which, I will execute remarkable judgments upon the unbelievers and disobedient." It is... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEN WILL I TURN, &C.— Houbigant renders it, For then will I pour into the people a pure language; that they may all invoke the name of Jehovah, and serve him with one shoulder; that is to say, with unanimity and consent; alluding to the unanimity of the Levites in carrying the ark. The prophet... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM BEYOND THE RIVERS, &C.— _From the borders of the rivers of Ethiopia, those whom I have hitherto dispersed shall become my suppliants, and shall bring me an offering._ Houbigant. The Jews, dispersed in the most distant countries, as the farthest parts of Ethiopia, shall come into the Christian c... [ Continue Reading ]
THEM THAT REJOICE IN THY PRIDE— _Those who raised,_ or _caused thy pride;_ namely, the Jewish priests and scribes, who proudly boasted themselves against the Messiah; and in whose stead the Lord introduced the _meek and lowly people,_ the disciples of Christ; Zephaniah 3:12. Instead of, _not be asha... [ Continue Reading ]
SING, O DAUGHTER OF ZION— These hymns of joy, though in some measure applicable to the return of the captivity, yet in their full propriety belong to the times of the Gospel. _The king of Israel,_ spoken of in the next verse, is Jesus Christ, who reigns truly over his people, by his empire of grace... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NOT THINE HANDS BE SLACK— _Let not thine hands fall down._ Houbigant. See Hebrews 12:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WILL SAVE, &C.— _He will bring salvation; he will rejoice and be glad over thee; he will renew his love, and joy over thee with singing, as in a solemn assembly._ Zephaniah 3:18. _For I will take away those who oppressed thee; they shall be far from thee, that they may bring no reproach upon thee... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL UNDO, &C.— _I will oppress._ Houbigant; who observes, that from the 13th verse to the end of the chapter, the prophet speaks of the last return and restoration of the Jews; as the former part respected the rising church of the Christians; for Sion and Jerusalem point out the Jewish nation, wh... [ Continue Reading ]