The restoration
of a “remnant” in Judah is clearly seen through the latter
verses of Zephaniah the prophet. His declaration of the “mighty”
LORD being in their midst, saving and rejoicing over them with joy,
resting in His love and having “joy over them with singing”
was only the beginning of the restorative words he shared. The LORD
promised that He would “gather” the “sorrowful for
the solemn assembly” who suffered “reproach” because
they could not participate while captives, and He vowed to “undo”
those who afflicted them as well as “save” the halted,
gather the driven out, and “get them praise and fame in every
land where they had been put to shame.” In the chapter three
and verse twenty, which is the final verse of Zephaniah's prophesy,
the LORD shares how He will give them “a name and a praise among
all people of the earth” where we read:
At that
time will I bring you again,
even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a
praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity
before your eyes, saith the LORD.
The
verse begins, “At that time will I bring you
again, even
in the time that I gather you:” Zephaniah
began with the words, “At that time”
which means “occurrence, fortune or when” “will
I bring” or “go in, enter, come, with or
attain” “you again even in the time”
which refers to “an occurrence, fortune or when” “that
I gather you:” or “assemble and collect
you”. Zephaniah's reference to the time of the restoration of this
“remnant” is
declared, and the promise for the people whom the LORD “brings
again” and “gathers”
was to be an noteworthy happening.
The
verse goes on to say, “for I will make you a name and a praise
among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before
your eyes, says the LORD.” Zephaniah continued, “for I
will make” or “give, put or set upon” “you a name”
which means “reputation, fame and glory” “and a praise”
or “song, hymn, adoration, thanksgiving and laudation” “among
all people” which refers to “nations, country-men, kinsmen
and kindred” “of the earth” or “whole countries,
territories, districts or regions” “when I turn back”
which means “return, bring back, restore, refresh and repair”
“your captivity” or “captives” “before your eyes”
which refers to “their site and vision ” “says the LORD”
or “speaks, utters, avows and avouches Yehovah or Jehovah who is
the existing One and the proper name for the one true God”. When
the LORD restored Judah, not only would He “give them a name and
a praise” among those who shamed them, but also throughout all
the “people of the earth”.
As
we think through these final words of Zephaniah, we should marvel at
the grace of the LORD. He began this prophesy by declaring the
destruction and devastation of Judah and Jerusalem, and He ended it
by stating their return to an exalted state. This should give us an
indication of the mercy and grace the LORD desires to share with
every person through Jesus Christ. He knows how we have been, act and
speak, and still His desire is to have a relationship with everyone
who will receive Him by way of His Son Jesus Christ. Though we may
suffer for our sin, the LORD is waiting to restore, rebuild and give
us a name whereby people throughout the earth will know of our glory
and fame. God is “no respecter of persons” according to
the book of Acts (chapter ten and verse thirty four), and as He did
for Judah, He will do for us as well. Let us give praise, honor,
glory and worship to God Almighty, Our LORD and Jesus Christ for the
glorious grace He extends to all who call upon His name.
Next
time we will turn to the New Testament again and begin a study in the
book of First Thessalonians, so read ahead, and we shall join
together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment