Zephaniah 3:1-20
God's Judgment and Grace • Sermon • Submitted
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Restoration Comes After Repentance
Restoration Comes After Repentance
Introduction:
We are now at the closing chapter of the Book of Zephaniah.
Reading and studying from Chapter 1 until until Chapter 3, it feels as if we are beaten up, along with Judah, and Jerusalem, over and over again...
My wife told me, judgment lang gihapon imong e preach?
It’s because it really is about judgment, and we can’t go around that… we can’t skip that...
We have to face the reality that they were hard-headed, rebellious, self-loving people...and they deserved God’s judgment...
God had included this Book as Holy Scripture so that we will know the grave effect of sin to humanity!
And also, so that we will know the beautiful grace of God to fallen humanity.
That truly, we will see that when people hears the word of God and repented of their sin, and seek the Lord - they will receive restoration!
I. God’s People Will Be Judged because of Their Failure to Repent (3:1-8).
I. God’s People Will Be Judged because of Their Failure to Repent (3:1-8).
Zephaniah again turns his prophecy toward the people of Judah.
1 Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, The tyrannical city!
God’s chosen people are defiled because of their rebellion (3:1).
Zephaniah opens this chapter with a prophetic condemnation of the people of Judah because of their rebellion and defilement
Woe = an interjection (aha!), usually a negative warning!
rebellious -
defiled - polluted themselves with idols (1:4-6)
The people of God had made themselves unfit, unclean, and unholy as a result of their disobedience.”
They are rebellious and they are unholy. As such, they must face God’s judgment, unless they repent.
2 She heeded no voice, She accepted no instruction. She did not trust in the Lord, She did not draw near to her God.
After a series of warning about judgment, years have passed and still they did not repent!
God’s discipline has not compelled His people to obey (3:2).
The disobedience of God’s people is due to their lack of trust (3:2).
they remained hard-hearted toward Him.
In a very real sense they had denied the foundational core of the gospel, which is to trust in God.
The Scripture is abundantly clear, from cover to cover, that faith in God begins with trusting Him.
3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
The people of Judah, had failed to acknowledge God, let alone trust Him, and as a result they would face His judgment.
3 Her princes within her are roaring lions, Her judges are wolves at evening; They leave nothing for the morning.
The political leaders are ruthless and are devouring the people (3:3).
Instead of being good examples in serving God, they were living for themselves and using the people for their gain.
4 Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.
The priests dishonor God and dishonor His word (3:4).
The religious leaders were also rebellious, they have abandoned their calling in pursuit of pleasure.
5 The Lord is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the unjust knows no shame.
God is faithful when His people are not (3:5)
God reaffirms that even in the midst of this mass rebellion, He remains the same. He is still righteous, He is still holy, His justice is faithful, and still they rejected Him.
6 “I have cut off nations; Their corner towers are in ruins. I have made their streets desolate, With no one passing by; Their cities are laid waste, Without a man, without an inhabitant.
7 “I said, ‘Surely you will revere Me, Accept instruction.’ So her dwelling will not be cut off According to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they were eager to corrupt all their deeds.
God’s discipline is fruitless (3:6-7).
They were eager to corrupt all their deeds!
These are a radically depraved people.
God, in His love and grace, extends discipline to call them back to Him, and yet they reject Him and chase after their own desires.
8 “Therefore wait for Me,” declares the Lord, “For the day when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.
God’s justice is coming because of their obstinate disobedience (3:8).
Wait for Me,” He says in verse 8. He is coming; and they will answer for what they have done.
Thankfully, this is not the end of the book. After chapters of devastating critique and rebuke, grace now leaps onto the stage!
Up to this point, the book of Zephaniah has essentially been painful to read because of the seemingly unending rebuke after rebuke from God Ug sa boxing pa, sige lang ka igo! upper cut, body shot, jab, hook napud..body shot napud...pero perting ka gahi gyud sa kasing-kasing sa tao. so evil to the core!
Arguably, one of the most painful book in the Bible, it has not left us excited and hopeful for more.
In verses 9-20, the book take a sharp turn, we see here the Justice and the grace of God at work.
II. God Will Restore His People So That They Will Trust and Obey Him (3:9-20)
II. God Will Restore His People So That They Will Trust and Obey Him (3:9-20)
Main Idea: God is rich in mercy and will restore His people to a place of prominence and blessing.
9 “For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, That all of them may call on the name of the Lord, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder.
God Will Restore His People (3:9-10).
Zephaniah begins verse 9 by declaring that God will “restore pure speech” to His people.
The restoring of pure speech means much more than just clean language. This is a reference to being purified.
It speaks of repentance being accomplished in the hearts of God’s people.
Purification occurs when we are both forgiven and repentant. The old sin is gone and the future behavior is not the same as the past.
The result of this purification, then, will be a readiness to call on Yahweh and worship Him with their lives”
In verse 9, Notice two specific ways in which they will respond to His grace
They will call on His name. For a people who had previously struggled to trust God, this is a marvelous turnaround.
By calling on His name, they are indicating trust in Him. They are affirming His character and His deity, and they are recognizing their need for Him.
This is a significant departure from their previous behavior.
The call of the gospel reflects this kind of turnaround. Deny oneself and live for Christ
23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
They are committed to serving Him - not only are they trusting God, they are now committed to serving Him - but not just serving Him.
they are now united in their focus on God and His commands.
This, of course, is the natural response to the grace of God being applied in one’s life.
We are repentant, we believe, and we are transformed.
The transformation is so much more than just a concept, it is a reality, as our lives are redirected and our focus is radically changed.
10 “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My dispersed ones, Will bring My offerings.
In verse 10, “As God is restoring His people, calling them to faith and repentance, He is also collecting His children back, so that they might offer to Him an offering of worship.
This is the culmination of the gospel.
God pursues His wandering children, bringing them into His adopted family and allowing them to enjoy His presence.
This is why the Westminster Catechism begins with “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
The goal of our redemption is our enjoyment in God. Gathering us together from around the world, God is redeeming a people for Himself.
This is the beautiful picture we see resonating across the book of Revelation:”
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;
11 “In that day you will feel no shame Because of all your deeds By which you have rebelled against Me; For then I will remove from your midst Your proud, exulting ones, And you will never again be haughty On My holy mountain.
12 “But I will leave among you A humble and lowly people, And they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.
God Will Renew His People (3:11-12).
13 “The remnant of Israel will do no wrong And tell no lies, Nor will a deceitful tongue Be found in their mouths; For they will feed and lie down With no one to make them tremble.”
God Will Give Rest To His People (3:13).
A picture of God as the Shepherd feeding his sheep and making them lie down in green pasture (Psalm 23)
14 Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
God Will Protect His People (3:14-15).
Observe a great turn-around - From crying to joyful exultation! Shout for joy!!! Shout in Triump! Rejoice!
Why? Because God has called them to repentance and has provided refuge and rest for the people of Judah. The response is party!!!!
The appropriate response to the redemptive work of God among His people is to throw a party. This is precisely what God is communicating.
What’s more, this is not just a momentary celebration. The understanding here is that this is their new way of life. A Joyful way of life!
This is not just a fleeting, volitional choice to “sing for joy” or “shout loudly.”
This is a transformation of the heart. Israel was heading toward certain judgment and death, but instead they have inherited the grace of God. There is much to be excited about!
15 The Lord has taken away His judgments against you, He has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; You will fear disaster no more.
Verse 15 will explain the source of their joy. Their punishment has been removed, their enemies have been turned back, and their king is among them.
We have reflected on this over and over throughout this book, but this is the story of the redemptive work of God on display for us to see.
This is a picture of the gospel doing its good work in their hearts. It begins with their punishment being removed and God living among His people.
When you became a Christian, God removed the punishment of sin through the Blood of Jesus and God the Holy Spirit is Living In you!
God Will Live Among His People (3:16-20).
This chapter, and the book, now closes with what is one of the most stunningly beautiful passages in all of Scripture.
Reading and studying from Chapter 1 until Chapter 3:15, it feels as if we are beaten up, along with Judah, and Jerusalem, over and over again, my wife told me, judgment lang gihapon imong e preach? It’s because it really is about judgment, and we can’t go around that..we have to face the reality that they were hard-headed, rebellious, self-loving people...and they deserved God’s judgment...
here especially in verses 16-20, beautiful passages of God grace! God is with them, God is for them....
16 In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not be afraid, O Zion; Do not let your hands fall limp.
17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
In verse 17, God is in their midst! A God is among them! God is near to them!
This is the crown jewel of all the gifts that God can give! The presence of God!
He will be in their midst as a “Victorious Warrior”!
God’s pursuit as a warrior is to save them. What a tremendous picture!
It reminds us that our salvation, like the salvation of Israel, is not just a gift of grace (though it is), but is a hard fought victory over the forces of evil. Ephesians 6 is a good reminder here:
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Reflection: God is the conquering warrior who has defeated our enemies. How does this change the way you view your life, particularly when you have struggles?”
20 “At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” Says the Lord.
As the chapter concludes with verses 18-20, God promises Israel the hope of eternity. He brings them back together. He brings them back to Him.
He pursues those who attack His children and vanquishes them.
He takes those who have been broken and restores them to health.
He takes those who have been shamed and restores their dignity.
He gathers them to His kingdom and gives them places of honor and distinction.
We Christians should be looking forward to the 2nd coming Jesus when He will finally destroy evil and death, and when He will restore us and give us a glorified body.
He then concludes the entire book with these three words: “Says the Lord” These three words affirm that what He has promised will come to fruition.
He will make this happen for His people. He will show grace!
Conclusion:
This is the promise of Zephaniah:
For those who will repent—who will hear His voice, and return to Him—to them He promises grace and restoration.
Proper Response:
Proper Response:
Put Your Faith and Trust in Jesus
Put Your Faith and Trust in Jesus
He alone can remove our shame and guilt by cleansing us with his blood. He alone can remove the judgment of God, He alone can restore our broken relationship with the Father! He is mighty to save!
If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a wonderful reason to confidently rejoice!
If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a wonderful reason to confidently rejoice!
For God is with you and for you! You have an eternal home awaiting for you in Christ Jesus!
Rejoice! For He will restore you when you fall to sin and repent of your sin!
Rejoice! For He fights the battle for you!
Rejoice! His grace is sufficient for you!
Rejoice! For You have an eternal home awaiting for you in Christ Jesus!