30 September

Bible In 365 Days

Zepheniah 8-14

 

Zepheniah 8

The third answer was full of grace. It declared that God was jealous for Zion, that He had returned to it, and that therefore its prosperity was assured, notwithstanding that these people saw only the devastation which caused their lamentation. Because of the certainty of this restoration, the prophet appealed to the remnant to be strong and build, promising them in the name of Jehovah that instead of being a curse they would become a blessing. Reaffirming this divine intention to restore, the prophet called the people back to what the second answer had declared God sought, namely, the execution of justice and the manifestation of mercy.

The final answer to the questions suggested by the deputation consisted, first, of the declaration that Jehovah would turn all their self-appointed fasts into feasts. These fasts were named. Historically the institution of the fasts had commenced in the tenth month of a certain year, and ended in the seventh month of the next year. In this declaration the prophet deals with them as they occur in the months of one year, beginning with the fast of the fourth month, which celebrated the taking of the city; the fast of the fifth, which commemorated the burning of the city; the fast of the seventh, which had to do with the murder of Gedaliah; and, finally, the fast of the tenth, which commemorated the siege of the city, and historically was the first of the four. This arrangement opened the way for the prophet's further declaration, that when God turned the fasts into feasts He would do it by becoming to the house of Judah joy and gladness and cheerful feasts, with the result that the city of Jerusalem would become the center to which many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities would go to seek Jehovah. It was a gracious and glorious setting forth of the realization of their true ideal by the people of God whereby men of other nations and other peoples would cast in their lot with them because of their consciousness that God was with them.

 

Zepheniah 9

Here begins the second division of the prophecy in which there are two messages. The first the prophet described as "the burden of the word of the Lord upon the land of Hadrach"; it deals with the rejection of the anointed King. In the first movement the prophet announced the coming of the King. He foretold the preservation of the city of Jerusalem in the days when Syria, Phoenicia, and Philistia would be overcome by the enemy, who, acting under Jehovah, would thus execute His judgments on them.

This prophecy was in large measure fulfilled by the coming of Alexander the Great. He captured Damascus and Sidon, and, after a siege of seven months, Tyre itself. He then marched against Gaza and razed it to the ground. In the course of this campaign he passed Jerusalem more than once, but never attacked it, Thus, according to the prophecy of Zechariah, the city was preserved for the coming of the true King. That coming he then foretold, calling on Zion and Jerusalem to rejoice, declaring the character of the King, and announcing His complete victory.

The prophet proceeded to describe the King's program. He foretold Zion's coming triumph against Greece under the direct guidance and by the might of Jehovah. This prophecy was fulfilled in the victory of Judas Maccabaeus over Antiochus Epiphanes.

 

Zepheniah 10

This victory led him to describe the yet greater and final victory of the people of God. He introduced this description by appealing to Zion to ask help of Jehovah, and immediately declaring Jehovah's intention to accomplish their deliverance. As a result, the people would be strengthened.

Finally, speaking in the name of Jehovah, the prophet described Jehovah's regathering of the people. "I will hiss for them . . . I will sow them . . . I will bring them out . . . I will bring them into . . . I will strengthen them."

 

Zepheniah 11

The last movement of the message described the rejection of the King.

The prophet first foretold the coming of judgment under the figure of the Roman fire devouring the people and spoiling the glory of the false shepherds.

The reason for this judgment was the rejection of the anointed King. This King is portrayed as having two staves, one called Beauty, which signified grace, and the other, Bands, which signified union. This true Shepherd rejected the false, and then was Himself rejected of the people. It is noticeable that the prophet spoke of that rejection from the standpoint of divine interference. Beauty was cut asunder, the price being thirty pieces of silver, and the result was the breaking. asunder of Bands. The result of this rejection of the true Shepherd would be the restoration of the false, and the consequent diction of the people.

The last note of this message pronounced woe on the worthless shepherds. Thus the prophet foresaw the Roman victory over the chosen people following their abandonment of their true King.

 

Zepheniah 12

The second message has to do with things wholly future. The King spoke of in the previous message, whose rejection was there foretold, is now seen coming into His kingdom. This the prophet described in two movements, which are complementary.

In the first he looked at the opposing nations as they will be dealt with in judgment, and at the Israel of God, as she will be restored through the acknowledgment of her true, though rejected, King, and by her own spiritual cleansing.

In the second movement he viewed the same events from the standpoint of the King, beginning with His rejection, and then describing His Coming, day, process, and administration.

The final victories of the King over the nations and the saving of the people of God are described. By the strength of Jehovah operating through His people the strength of the nations is discomfited, and perfect victory is assured. This victory over the nations will issue in the restoration of the spiritual Israel to supremacy under the government of One whom they had pierced.

 

Zepheniah 13

This, however, will be brought about when, recognizing their sin, the chosen people repent with mourning. In that day, by way of a fountain opened to them, they will be cleansed from all the things which have defiled and degraded them.

 

Zepheniah 14

The prophet finally described the ultimate victories of the King, commencing with a description of the smiting of the Shepherd and the scattering of the sheep. Of this scattering a remnant would be loyal, and they would become the people of Jehovah.

The prophet then described the ultimate day of the Lord, which would be ushered in by Jehovah coming to the Mount of Olives in the Person of His King. This advent would initiate the new processes of the settlement of the land, and the cleansing of Jerusalem by judgment, to be followed by the establishment of the Kingdom, in which all nations would gather to Jerusalem as a center of worship, those refusing being punished, while all life would be consecrated.