See if today’s Zephaniah Text sounds like REVIVAL to you. REVIVAL … just as God when saved Nineveh, just as when God authored Pentecost, and now just as God led His Prophet to pen these words: “In that day shalt thou (Judah) not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” Zephaniah 3:11-13, God being the Speaker.
It actually says that God will excise (remove) all the wicked people from Judah’s midst! Particularly those being proud and haughty. The idea behind that noun “pride” is “swollen, puffed up.” And “haughty” is a synonym, meaning “exalted, upward,” even “arrogant.” The same sin that dethroned Satan, “pride!”
Also … the first “sin” on God’s “Things I Hate” List! See Proverbs 6:16-19, where “a proud look” leads that sobering litany!
And when the proud are removed (“sur” in Hebrew, translated “take away”) God can again bless His people. Implying “pride” robs a people of God’s foremost blessings!
And maybe the presence of a vast number of proud people (at least in part) causes the faithful people (who still love God) to be less ardent in their faithful service. “In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty ….”
“To be ashamed” translates the Hebrew verb “bush,” meaning here “to be confused, disappointed, disconcerted,” even “delayed” one time in the Old testament. Judah will NOT be these things! Because God no longer considers her a proud Nation! (This has been called a “back-door revival” a few times!) God expelling some, in order to bless others who have stood true to His Name.
And the “my Holy Mountain” phrase indicates the Temple precincts! There (God’s House) is pride most repugnant to our Creator and Redeemer.
But then notice again our Text, what a reversal! After God has removed the sinful … I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.”
“Poor” means “weak, lean, needy!”
And “afflicted” means “lowly, belittled, brow beaten.”
God has built humility into the lives of His faithful! As in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” And Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Not counting the verse between: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
The verb “trust” just means “to flee for safety!” A people not too vain or filled with self-worth … therefore willing to call on the Lord for help!
Now to Verse 13, the last for today … “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”
Then no “iniquity” will remain, in Hebrew “evel,” meaning “to rebel” against God and His Ways. The verb “do” has the idea of doing something over and over, habitually.
Also, “lying” is gone. “Deceit” being included. A population now who (using the words of Psalm 15) now “speak the truth in their hearts!”
Then, once true repentance has occurred … “feeding” and “lying down” (as depicted in Psalm 23) will occur! Plus this blessing, “all fear is gone.”
Yes, the similarities and points of contact are too many to be accidental. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Wow!
Yes, this is true Revival, considered both negatively (what must GO) and positively (what must GROW). I would love to try to preach this Text some day!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
I really feel like I just have preached it! My soul is thrilled. My mind excited. Psalm 119:18 has been answered this morning. “Lord, open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy Law, Thy Word.”
Amen.