God Preserves the Meek and Humble; God Removes the Arrogant (Zephaniah 3:8-20)

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Judgment

God promises that a day of judgment will come. This is not a threat but a fact and a certainty, which all mankind should humbly consider. God will gather the nations, not for blessing (Isa 30:18), but for his coming judgment (Zeph 3:8). Though this arrogant and rebellious generation loathes and despises this, God states plainly, "I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them—all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger" (Zeph 3:8). But God's retributive acts are always redemptive, for God will save his remnant among the meek and humble (Zech 3:12,18-20). God intends that the nations turn to him (Zeph 3:9,10), including his own people (Zeph 3:11-13). This will cause rejoicing (Zeph 3:14-17), not least because God alone has accomplished salvation (Zeph 3:18-20). God is both God the Judge and God the Gracious

Salvation

The promise of salvation can only be accomplished by God: "I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the LORD. They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid" (Zeph 3:12-13). Salvation, which is always undeserved, will always lead to rejoicing (Zeph 3:14-16). This is only possible because "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing" (Zeph 3:17).

The only reasonable way to live: Wait, not for a better life now, but wait for the day of salvation, which will come for the remnant of God.

The promise of God: "I will leave within you the meek and humble" (Zech 3:12) and "I will remove from you your arrogant boasters" (Zech 3:11).

Who our God is: "The LORD your God is ... the Mighty Warrior who saves... take(s) great delight in you; ... rejoice(s) over you with singing" (Zeph 3:17).

To help remember an overview of this Minor Prophet Zephaniah, check out this chart again.

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