Zep 3:16 | KingComments | STEP | In these verses the encouragement and comfort for a frightened and plagued remnant continues. The LORD does everything He can to reassure them that it is truly and definitively over with all persecution and oppression. They do not have to be afraid anymore and not to lose courage ( ). Because He is in their midst, there is no reason for that either ( ). Fear takes away the power to serve. When fear is gone, there is strength to serve again. The LORD their God is in their midst as a victorious Warrior, literally: a Warrior Who saves (cf. ). He is the “strong God” ( ). In the application for us, we may say that the Lord Jesus – He is that strong God – is in the midst of the assembled church, even though there are only two or three gathered together ( ). Though they are a weak and small people, the assembled believers will rejoice that He is in their midst ( ). The climax of joy is that the marriage contract, broken by the unfaithfulness of the people, is restored ( ; ). God Himself will remain quiet in His love for His people Israel in unlimited joy and delight. What a certainty that is for Israel. He will be quiet in His love about all her past sins because they are gone forever. Quietness is not only the absence of talking, but it is also the enjoyment of the simple presence of the beloved. It is being quiet about the other. There is complete rest about each other. God looks so much in joy at His people that their presence gives Him complete satisfaction. The silence is broken by His cheering, through which He expresses His joy over her. It is the delight of the Groom about His bride (cf. ), as we hear in the song of the King of Israel when He says: “How beautiful and how delightful you are, [My] love, with [all] your charms!” ( ).

‏ Zephaniah 3:16

The LORD Your God Is in Your Midst

In these verses the encouragement and comfort for a frightened and plagued remnant continues. The LORD does everything He can to reassure them that it is truly and definitively over with all persecution and oppression. They do not have to be afraid anymore and not to lose courage (Zep 3:16). Because He is in their midst, there is no reason for that either (Zep 3:17). Fear takes away the power to serve. When fear is gone, there is strength to serve again. The LORD their God is in their midst as a victorious Warrior, literally: a Warrior Who saves (cf. Jer 14:9). He is the “strong God” (Isa 10:21).

In the application for us, we may say that the Lord Jesus – He is that strong God – is in the midst of the assembled church, even though there are only two or three gathered together (Mt 18:20). Though they are a weak and small people, the assembled believers will rejoice that He is in their midst (Jn 20:19-20).

The climax of joy is that the marriage contract, broken by the unfaithfulness of the people, is restored (Isa 62:5 ; Isa 65:19; Hos 2:19-20). God Himself will remain quiet in His love for His people Israel in unlimited joy and delight. What a certainty that is for Israel. He will be quiet in His love about all her past sins because they are gone forever. Quietness is not only the absence of talking, but it is also the enjoyment of the simple presence of the beloved. It is being quiet about the other. There is complete rest about each other. God looks so much in joy at His people that their presence gives Him complete satisfaction.

The silence is broken by His cheering, through which He expresses His joy over her. It is the delight of the Groom about His bride (cf. Isa 62:5b), as we hear in the song of the King of Israel when He says: “How beautiful and how delightful you are, [My] love, with [all] your charms!” (Song 7:6).