Examining The Scripture CXLV: Roaring Lions & Evening Wolves

Despite Judah's and Jerusalem's sins, God plan to eventually bless His people Zephaniah 3. Before dwelling on what God promises in Zephaniah 3, the first thing we see is negative attributes of Judah/Jerusalem or as verse 1 says, the “city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!” as Jerusalem is confronted about her sin and lack of repentance. Sadly the name Jerusalem means: City of Peace. In Zephaniah’s day it was also referred to as the “Holy City”. She obeys no one and accepts no correction. Nor does she trust in the Lord or draw near to Him. Her political leaders and leaders are “roaring lions” and “evening wolves” that leave nothing for morning. Her prophets are arrogant treacherous men and priests profane the sanctuary and do irreparable harm to the Law. This is in stark contrast to what they should’ve been doing which was acting as intermediaries between God and His people. What we see is that leadership was clearly broken and when leadership political and spiritual is broken more often than not those under this leadership are damaged also.

At this point in Judah’s history we see that it is God who is being faithful to the covenant as opposed to God’s covenant people. God’s people are behaving like pagan nations. He then speaks and says, “I have cut off the nations, their strongholds are demolished and their streets are deserted….their cities are destroyed”. In God’s detailing of these actions He is showing what happens to those that do not obey and acknowledge Him as God. God calls Jerusalem to worship in live in fear and awe of Him (respect). This is not to be just a simple emotional reaction to and angry God but a behavioral change indicative of having accept chastisement and repented. There is mention of a cataclysmic end to all those on the earth “The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.”

These statements build the contrast to what follows in the latter portion of this chapter. The chapter as we have seen in other portions of the Old Testament starts out with an itemization or listing of a person or peoples sin, which is quickly followed by the required justice or punishment from God. These dark, ominous and often judgmental tones that open chapters of judgment usually always end in a promised hope of the future and Zephaniah is no different. The chapter shifts gears around verse 9 and the gracious forgiveness of the Gentiles or all the ones that call in the name of the Lord and serve Him shoulder-to-shoulder. The is an idea being presented here of the Gentiles being converted. These aforementioned judgments will not be to annihilate the nations but to purify them and burn off their dross or impurities. Just as God’s Seraphim purified Isaiah’s lips in Isaiah 6 so God will again purge or burn-off man. Only a righteous core will remain after the fire of judgment.

We then reach the passages referring to the remnant or those that are still around after all the judgment and the Day of The Lord. The Jews will finally look by faith upon the Messiah whom they crucified. At that time the Jews will not need to be put to shame because they will be ashamed of what they have done when they see Christ and recognize Him for who and what He is. This will also produce a deep repentance over their transgression. Faith in Christ will make things new. For the first time the Jews will have no enemies because the Lord will have defeated them all. God’s people will rejoice. The people will sing and shout because of all the things that He has done for them. Their punishment will have been taken away. The Lord God will be with them and MIGHTY TO SAVE. God will take great delight in them like a loving parent and they will be content with His love.

Zephaniah then ends with what appears to be a series of blessings promised by God. During 70 years of captivity in Babylon and then in the worldwide dispersion after 70 A.D. the Jewish people will be gathered back together or at least this is hinted at by Zephaniah. His lame people will be rescued. The sorrows for the appointed feasts will be removed from them. The nation will be restored. God’s intervention is evident and imminent in (v. 18-20). In a list the interventions show up as “I will’s” (“some prefaced with “at that time”)

I will remove from you (The sorrows for the appointed feasts)
I will deal with all who oppressed you…
I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered.
I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame.
I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth

Baker, David W.. "The Nature of The Day." Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah.. Downers Grove: Inter-Varisty Press, 1988. 115-121. Print.

Wiersbe, Warren. "The Glory of The Kingdom" Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament: The Prophets (Bible Knowledge). Acambaro: Victor, 2003. 429-432. Print.