Zephaniah 3

V 1–5: JERUSALEM’S JUDGEMENT Zephaniah then pronounces woe on rebellious and polluted Jerusalem. Her disobedience, intransigence, and her failure to trust and draw near to God are why she will be judged. The sins of her violent people, wicked prophets and polluted priests have led this once privileged city away from God. V 6–7: PEOPLE’S PERVERSITY Despite the fact that God’s people have seen how God has overthrown ungodly nations, they refuse to turn to Him. Indeed, they increase their corruption and evil deeds. V 8: ANGER AWAITED Judah is told that she must wait for God, until His day of wrath and anger has been poured out upon the nations. Judah is not the only nation who will know Him, but there will be a remnant saved to see Him judge the other nations. V 9–20: REMNANT RESTORED Such a work will be done by God in that day that the pure language of repentance and worship will be given to ‘the peoples’ of the world, including Israel, who will be gathered to her own land. Meekness, humility, trust, righteousness, truth, peace, rejoicing, strength, love, salvation, and praise will show God’s great work in, for and through His people. God’s captive people will finally return from afar.