Zep 3:8-20 | TNotes | STEP | 3:8 be patient: See Hab 2:3 . • stand and accuse: The prophet portrays a courtroom scene where God rises first as witness (see also Jer 29:23 ; Mal 3:5 ) on his own behalf, and then presides as judge (see also Job 9:15 ; Ps 50:6 ) 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 ).

3:8 ^a be patient: See Hab 2:3 ^b.

• stand and accuse: The prophet portrays a courtroom scene where God rises first as witness (see also Jer 29:23 ^c; Mal 3:5 ^d) on his own behalf, and then presides as judge (see also Job 9:15 ^e; Ps 50:6 ^f) 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 ^g).
Summary for Zeph 3:9-20: 3:9-20 ^h God reveals his plans for a humble and purified remnant of his people (3:9-13 ⁱ) and encourages them to rejoice in the coming abundant blessings of their saving Lord (3:14-20 ^j).
Summary for Zeph 3:9-13: 3:9-13 ^k The glorious future described in these verses provides further reason to wait patiently for the Lord (3:8 ^l). Like fellow prophets Isaiah, Nahum, and Habakkuk, Zephaniah uses judgment and hope as twin themes. 3:9 ^m God intends for the blessings promised to the faithful remnant of 3:9-13 ⁿ to reach people from every nation of the world. Not just Israel, but all people would be transformed, call on the Lord (see Isa 55:5 ^o), and serve him (see Isa 59:19-21 ^p; Zech 14:16 ^q). The spread of the Good News to all nations furthered the fulfillment of this vision (Matt 28:19-20 ^r; Rom 10:9-13 ^s).
3:10 ^t The rivers of Ethiopia are the distant headwaters of the Nile River. The ancient world considered the origin of the Nile a great mystery, so the expression speaks of the farthest reaches of the earth.
3:12 ^u Jesus the Messiah perfectly expresses the ethical qualities predicted for the godly remnant of Israel (Isa 42:1-4 ^v; 53:3 ^w, 7-9 ^x; Zech 9:9 ^y; see Matt 11:28-30 ^z; 12:15-21 ^aa; Phil 2:1-8 ^ab; 1 Pet 2:23 ^ac).
3:14 ^ad Sing ... shout aloud ... ! Be glad and rejoice: The cumulative effect of these commands emphasizes that God’s people will one day experience unsurpassed joy.
3:15 ^ae The true King of Israel was always to be the Lord (Num 23:21 ^af; 1 Sam 8:7 ^ag; Isa 44:6 ^ah).

• will live among you: See also Isa 54:4-8 ^ai; 57:14-19 ^aj; 62:10-12 ^ak; Ezek 48:35 ^al; Joel 3:17 ^am, 21 ^an.
3:17 ^ao a mighty savior: God was Israel’s Divine Warrior and Redeemer (see Ps 24:8-10 ^ap; Isa 42:13 ^aq; Hab 3:8-15 ^ar). One of God’s titles is “the Mighty God” (Isa 10:21 ^as). This title also applies to the Messiah (Isa 9:6 ^at).

• He will rejoice over you: Not only will Jerusalem and all Israel rejoice in God (Zeph 3:14 ^au) but God will also rejoice over them as a purified and faithful people (see 3:12-13 ^av).
Summary for Zeph 3:18-20: 3:18-20 ^aw The repeated use of I will in these verses underscores God’s further assurances to his people. 3:18 ^ax I will gather you ... disgraced no more: The Lord’s assurance stands in stark contrast to the pronouncements at the beginning of the book, when God threatened to gather the nations to sweep the people of Judah from the face of the earth (1:2-4 ^ay). Now he promises to gather up those who have been driven from Jerusalem and lead them safely home.
3:19 ^az God will turn his people’s former shame into glory and fame (see Deut 26:19 ^ba; Isa 62:7 ^bb; Mic 4:6-8 ^bc; cp. 1 Pet 5:4 ^bd).
3:20 ^be On that day: After a time of terrible wrath and judgment, the day of the Lord culminates in everlasting blessings for all who trust in him (3:9 ^bf, 12 ^bg; see Ps 2:12 ^bh; Isa 45:22 ^bi; see also Rev 19:11–22:5 ^bj).

• I, the Lord, have spoken! Zephaniah’s prophecy, entirely from God (see also Zeph 1:1-3 ^bk, 10 ^bl; 2:9 ^bm; 3:8 ^bn), is utterly trustworthy.