Chapter 3
vss 1-4 are about God's judgement on a city. Seems like it would be about Jerusalem, and MSB confirms this. It is also similar - though at a different level of detail - than the descriptions in the end times of Babylon the great. Is that why we have such a hard time deciding what city Babylon might be? Because it is Jerusalem??? What is going on in Jerusalem when Revelation describes the end of Babylon?
Vss 5-7 seem to be about the time just before and then into the Millennial. They are about the peace that comes when Jesus appears and takes the throne in Jerusalem. He will ensure at that time that the Land belongs to the Jews. There will no longer be a place for Gaza, or Ashkelon, or any other city of the Philistines. Their time will be over, their harassment of Israel will end.
(some very long verses in Zephaniah, as in Isaiah!)
vs 8 seems to switch back to far prophecy. Last of vs 8 says "...all the earth shall be consumed." This is a very long verse, but the "gathering of nations" prior to God "pouring out His indignation" seems to speak of that final battle, at the end of the Millennial, when all those who still rebel against God will gather to oppose him, and He will clear them from the earth once and for all. Following that, the new heaven and the new earth. Zephaniah seems to be focused very much on this time. He is the first prophet who has said so much about that time and how it will go. He is tied to the end of Revelation, where before it was up to and into the first part of the Millennial and then the peace of that time that was covered. I think Zephaniah is describing the end of this time, the final destruction of the earth, and the beginning of eternity.
2022 - Seems to be about Armageddon, especially this verse:
""Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed." [Zep 3:8 ESV]
Armageddon, or the last battle, the pre-GWT battle?
vs 9...I have seen some discussion of this verse in the MSB introduction to the book, under "Interpretive Challenges". Here is the verse:
9 "For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord. [Zep 3:9 ESV]
The discussion was about whether this indicates that at some point in the end times, God will undo the confusion of languages that originated in Babel. So that all can communicate, all can worship in the same language. MSB thinks it refers to a purification of hearts and minds, not languages. But if it is about the end of the Millennial, and the beginning of eternity in the new heaven and new earth, then I'm pretty sure there will no longer be a need for different languages. Tongues of men and angels comes to mind. One for each perhaps.
A very interesting verse, giving us good reason to keep an eye on Ethiopia, which is believed to be the ancient land of Cush:
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering. [Zep 3:10 ESV]
God has put some of His people there, perhaps to protect them. It says daughters, not sons, which I also find interesting. Residents of that part of the world are also very black, and that is a good lesson for white supremacist, and for racists of all kinds.
11-13 are a reason for hope in Jerusalem through the coming dark days of that time. Three very long verses. Not copy/pasting them but they end with "...and none shall make them afraid."
2022 - Yes, I am going to copy/paste them:
""On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain." [Zep 3:11 ESV]
"But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD," [Zep 3:12 ESV]
"those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."" [Zep 3:13 ESV]
After Armageddon, we will have the sheep and goat judgment. Those who wouldn't help will be removed. Those who helped those who could not repay it go into the Millennial. Surely this is about the Sheep and Goat judgment.
vss 14-20 I believe refer either to the Millennial or to the New Jerusalem. They are about Israel's ultimate end. This verse sets the tone of the whole passage:
15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. [Zep 3:15 ESV]
MSB says 14-20 are about the Millennial.
And to think - whatever had me far from God a year ago, so that I had no notes at all on this little book - I missed all of this last time.
Really good texting conversation with Paula. She has so many of the same worries that I do...