Many of the Psalms do this, begin on a spiritually “low” note and end on a “high” one, sometimes very “high!” Psalm 13 is a prime example.
But we’ve found the past few weeks that the Prophet Zephaniah, his Book, does that as well! And today we’ve arrived at his “ultimate” peak.
God is addressing His people, the Israelites. “Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, 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. 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.” Zephaniah 3:19-20
To “undo” someone, what’s that? The Hebrew is interesting. It’s “asah,” often translated “to do” (1,333 times) and “to make” (653 more times). But here the context calls for its opposite meaning. God will “do” judgment on those who have “afflicted” Judah! Isaiah 28:21 calls such “judgment” God’s “strange act.” (The English verb “undo” is only found twice in the whole Bible!)
Our Text next presents two verbs of great encouragement. God “will save” her who “halteth” (with the Hebrew simply meaning “to limp”). God will be her Deliverer, her Saviour!
And God will also “gather” her who has been “driven out.” The “gather” verb means “to call to assembly!” Scattered Israel will be outcast no more!
Our two-verse “duo” now continues with separate clauses of “reversal of image.”
First … “I (still God) will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.” Speaking about Israel.
And then … “I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth.” Speaking to Israel!
All reproach is gone!
Likely, many (former enemies) will apologize to Israel for their hatred to the children of Abraham. But by the time these verses are fulfilled … the children of God!
“Captivity” is gone, forever!
In other words, “freedom” in our Lord!
What a great “set” of promises God has given Judah/Israel in the last paragraph of Zephaniah.
Worth reprinting, I think: “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. 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 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. 1ing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, 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. 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.” Zephaniah 3:8-20, still awaiting final realization.
Glory days ahead, for all God’s people … including the Israelites!
Amen.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell