Zep 3:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Zeph 3:1-8: 3:1-8 Zephaniah pronounces a message of sorrow for Judah and Jerusalem and admonishes them to wait patiently for the results of God’s righteous judgment. 3:1 Polluted Jerusalem had wandered far from its call to be a holy city (Isa 52:1 ).

a3:1-8►

b3:1►

cIsa 52:1►

d3:3-4►

eEzek 22:23-29►

f3:5►

g3:3-4►

h3:7►

iProv 1:16►

jGen 22:3►

k3:8►

lHab 2:3►

mJer 29:23►

nMal 3:5►

oJob 9:15►

pPs 50:6►

qIsa 66:13-16►

‏ Zephaniah 3:1-8

Summary for Zeph 3:1-8: 3:1-8 ^a Zephaniah pronounces a message of sorrow for Judah and Jerusalem and admonishes them to wait patiently for the results of God’s righteous judgment. 3:1 ^b Polluted Jerusalem had wandered far from its call to be a holy city (Isa 52:1 ^c).
Summary for Zeph 3:3-4: 3:3-4 ^d See also Ezek 22:23-29 ^e.
3:5 ^f He does no wrong, unlike those mentioned in 3:3-4 ^g.
3:7 ^h get up early: Jerusalem’s citizens couldn’t wait to jump out of bed in the morning and do more evil deeds (cp. Prov 1:16 ⁱ). They had moved far from the ways of their ancestor Abraham, who arose early to obey God’s command (Gen 22:3 ^j).
3:8 ^k be patient: See Hab 2:3 ^l.

• stand and accuse: The prophet portrays a courtroom scene where God rises first as witness (see also Jer 29:23 ^m; Mal 3:5 ⁿ) on his own behalf, and then presides as judge (see also Job 9:15 ^o; Ps 50:6 ^p) to deliver his righteous sentence.

• The fire of my jealousy describes the Lord’s righteous hatred of sin, as well as his concern for his holy name and for the welfare of his people (see Isa 66:13-16 ^q).