Not Ashamed for All Your Doings Zephaniah 3:11

Zephaniah declared the LORD would “turn the people” of Judah to “a pure language”, whereby the would “serve him with one consent”. After doing so, even those “beyond the rivers of Ethiopia” would “bring” the LORD's “offering” to Him. In chapter three and verse eleven of Zephaniah's prophecy, the LORD shares how the people would “not be ashamed for all” their “doings” where we read:

In that day shall you not be ashamed for all your doings, wherein you have transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of you them that rejoice in your pride, and you shall no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

The verse begins, “In that day shall you not be ashamed for all your doings, wherein you have transgressed against me: for then I will take away...” Zephaniah began, “In that day” or “time, year or period” “shall you not be ashamed” which is all one Hebrew word “buwsh” and means “put to shame, be disconcerted or disappointed” “for all your doings” or “evil wantonness, deeds and practices” “wherein you have transgressed” which means “rebelled and revolted” “against me for then I will take away” which is one Hebrew word “cuwr” and means “turn aside, away from, depart, avoid and come to an end”. The LORD was to remove all those who caused Judah and Jerusalem shame.

The verse goes on to say, “...out of the midst of you them that rejoice in your pride, and you shall no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.” Zephaniah continued, “out of the midst” or “among, inner part and middle” “of you them that rejoice” which refers to “being exultant, jubilant and joyous” “in your pride” or “majesty, rising up and haughtiness” “and then you shall no more” which means “not again join, add or increase” “be haughty” or “high, exalted, lofty or tall” “because of my holy” which means “separated, sacred, and set-apart” “mountain” or “hill, mount or hill country”. The remnant of those who returned to Judah and Jerusalem were to be a humble people who would not endure the prideful words of those who were haughty because of their plight.

When we meditate upon the LORD's words through Zephaniah, we can imagine what it would be like to be hearing these words. We should keep in mind these words were yet to be fulfilled. Not only is the LORD sharing concerning the destruction that is to come, but also the restoration which would remove their shame. The perspective of God is eternal, and He sees the end from the beginning. With this assurance we are invited to have a relationship with Him who knows all things, and when He declares that “shame” shall be removed, it is as it already is. Judah and Jerusalem found this to be true, and so can those who commit their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. May we rejoice in the notion that God Almighty has all things in His charge, and when He restores, He does so thoroughly.

Next time Zephaniah shares how the LORD will “leave an afflicted and poor people”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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