Zephaniah 3 - Introduction

God Will Restore His People

Zephaniah Three

Jerusalem had rebelled and now God's judgment was coming upon them. The princes, judges, prophets and priests that should have lead God's people in righteousness had failed. The people refused to heed the message of the godly prophets who pleaded for them to repent. God is a just God and therefore He cannot overlook sin, even the sin of His own people. God promised that "The Day" was coming when He would restore His people to their land. The things that Zephaniah said would happen were fulfilled with the Babylonian captivity and the restoration of the remnant of Judah.

The main captivity was in Babylon but many of the Jews were scattered among other Gentile nations also. During the captivity the people would learn to speak in a pure language; that is they would learn to worship and serve God correctly. They would forever know that idolatry is sinful. God blessed the Jews and brought the remnant back to Jerusalem. There would be great rejoicing when the Jews returned to their home land. "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem." (Zephaniah 3:14) God loved and preserved His people, even in captivity.