Woe to the oppressing city - Jerusalem; rejoicing of God's final people
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¶ Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. 3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. 4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. |
1 -
Filthy
Translated as "rebellious" by some.
2 - Voice The Lord's voice je0723, je0913. 3 - Princes ... lions Leaders have power. How often they use it selfishly. It is becoming more this way in our world today. See pr2815. The wolves finish what the lions leave. 4 - Prophets False ones mi0211, mi0305. And priests, too! |
| 5 The just LORD is in
the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring
his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. 7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. |
4 -
Light
Or "insolent."
5 - Midst The Lord sees. 5 - Judgment to light This time "light" is correct but may mean "dawn." |
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¶ 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.
.9 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. |
8 -
Until
the day Probably when invaders come to punish.
9 - Pure language With pure hearts they would speak pure words ex2308, ps01914 and their prayers would be acceptable. We may pray for pure lips. |
| 10 From beyond the rivers
of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring
mine offering.
11 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. 12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. .13 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. |
10
- Beyond ... Ethiopia Really far away. The rivers would have
been the routes of travel. In the restored Israel, the whole world would
pray to the Lord. This was the ideal God had. We may look forward to the
New Earth and the New Heavens.
13 - Remnant Those of v12 who trust in the Lord. 13 - Nothing make ... afraid With complete trust and receiving complete protection. |
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¶ Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with
all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
.15 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. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. |
14
- Sing The victorious people of God.
15 - Lord is in the midst And they "will not see evil any more. This promise is fulfilled at the end of the thousand years when the New Jerusalem comes down re21. |
| 17 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.
18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. 19 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. 20 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. |
20 - Gather you We may look forward to that final gathering at the return of Christ mr1327. |
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The end of the book of Zephaniah
