Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 Habakkuk Haggai
Zephaniah 3
Concise Complete
Further reproofs for sin. (1-7) Encouragement to look
for mercy. (8-13) Promises of future favour and prosperity. (14-20)
Verses 1-7 The
holy God hates sin most in those nearest to him. A sinful state is, and will be,
a woful state. Yet they had the tokens of God's presence, and all the advantages
of knowing his will, with the strongest reasons to do it; still they persisted
in disobedience. Alas, that men often are more active in doing wickedness than
believers are in doing good.
Verses 8-13 The
preaching of the gospel is predicted, when vengeance would be executed on the
Jewish nation. The purifying doctrines of the gospel, or the pure language of
the grace of the Lord, would teach men to use the language of humility,
repentance, and faith. Purity and piety in common conversation is good. The pure
and happy state of the church in the latter days seems intended. The Lord will
shut out boasting, and leave men nothing to glory in, save the Lord Jesus, as
made of God to them wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
Humiliation for sin, and obligations to the Redeemer, will make true believers
upright and sincere, whatever may be the case among mere professors.
Verses 14-20
After the promises of taking away sin, follow promises of taking away trouble.
When the cause is removed, the effect will cease. What makes a people holy, will
make them happy. The precious promises made to the purified people, were to have
full accomplishment in the gospel. These verses appear chiefly to relate to the
future conversion and restoration of Israel, and the glorious times which are to
follow. They show the abundant peace, comfort, and prosperity of the church, in
the happy times yet to come. He will save; he will be Jesus; he will answer the
name, for he will save his people from their sins. Before the glorious times
foretold, believers would be sorrowful, and objects of reproach. But the Lord
will save the weakest believer, and cause true Christians to be greatly honoured
where they had been treated with contempt. One act of mercy and grace shall
serve, both to gather Israel out of their dispersions and to lead them to their
own land. Then will God's Israel be made a name and a praise to eternity. The
events alone can fully answer the language of this prophecy. Many are the
troubles of the righteous, but they may rejoice in God's love. Surely our hearts
should honour the Lord, and rejoice in him, when we hear such words of
condescension and grace. If now kept from his ordinances, it is our trial and
grief; but in due time we shall be gathered into his temple above. The glory and
happiness of the believer will be perfect, unchangeable, and eternal, when he is
freed from earthly sorrows, and brought to heavenly bliss.
Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 Habakkuk Haggai
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
