As Zephaniah began to close
his prophesy concerning Judah and Jerusalem, he shared concerning the
“mighty” LORD being among them, and how he would “rest
over”, “rejoice” and “sing over” them
“with joy”. Zephaniah also declared how the LORD would
“gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly” which
was a “reproach” to them because while they were exiled
they could not participate in the “solemn” activities. In
chapter three and verse nineteen of his prophesy, Zephaniah shared
how the LORD would “undo the afflicters” of His people
where we read:
Behold, at that time I
will undo all that afflict you: and I will save her that halts, and
gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame
in every land where they have been put to shame.
The
verse begins, “Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict
you:” Zephaniah began with the phrase, “Behold, at that
time” which means “when that occurrence begins” “I
will undo” or “fashion, accomplish and make” “all that
afflict you” which refers to “those who occupied, were busy
with, oppressed, put down, depressed, made to be downcast and to
stoop”. The LORD's attention was upon those who suffered in their
“afflictions”, and His promise was to “undo”
all that was done unto them.
The
verse goes on to say, “and I will save her that halts, and
gather her that was driven out;” Zephaniah shares more
specifically concerning some of those who were afflicted as he wrote,
“and I will save” or “deliver, liberate and be
victorious over” “her that halts” which means “limps
or is lame” “and gather” or “assemble and collect”
“her that was driven out” which refers to “those
impelled, thrust, driven away, chased and banished”. Not only was
the LORD to “undo” the “afflicted”, but He
would also save the limping and lame as He gathered those who were
driven out of their country by their enemies.
Finally
the verse says, “and I will get them praise and fame in every
land where they have been put to shame.” Zephaniah concludes
this verse with, “and I will get” or “put in place, set,
appoint and make” “them praise” which means “adoration,
thanksgiving and public praise and song” “and fame” or
“a name, reputation, glory and memorial” “in every land”
which refers to “every country, territory, district and region”
“where they have been put to shame” which is all one
Hebrew word “bosheth” and means “ashamed, confused and greatly
shameful”. In place of their “affliction, lameness and
banishment”, the LORD was to obtain “praise” and
“fame” in every place they were “put to shame”
in the past.
When we
meditate upon the LORD's words through Zephaniah, we realize His
resolve and purpose to restore Judah and Jerusalem to their exalted
state. Though they were “afflicted, lame, banished and shamed”
because of their apostasy, the LORD was purposed to reinstate them.
We see the immense and amazing grace of our LORD Jesus in this
example. Though people suffer for their non-belief in Jesus and have
many times been shamed for their behavior and speech, the LORD
continues to desire a relationship with them. As it was with Judah,
so is it with those who suffer today. The LORD wants to save and
restore man, not afflict Him. Let us turn our focus upon Him once
again and realize if He desires to restore and rebuild the people of
Judah, not only will He do so for us, but also for all who will
receive Him as Savior and LORD.
Next
time we complete the book of Zephaniah and see him share how the LORD
will “gather”
the people of Judah and “make”
them “a name and a praise among all people of the earth”,
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.
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