Rejoice! Zephaniah 3:14-20

Introduction

Historical Context:
Zephaniah ministered during the reign of King

, approximately between 640 and 609 BC. This was a critical period in Judah’s history. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrians in 722 BC, and now Judah was a vassal state under Assyrian rule. Yet, the once-mighty Assyrian Empire faced internal strife and the rising threat of Babylon in the east.
Under the previous two kings of Judah,

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was rampant. The kings had defiled the temple of Yahweh and used it to worship idols. Idolatry had permeated the entire society from the royalty all the way to the commoner. Even though Zephaniah’s prophecy takes place after Josiah’s reforms are instituted, the reforms, while sweeping on Josiah’s part, were superficial for the people. Josiah’s son immediately turned back to gross idolatry after the death of his father.

Message of Zephaniah
Zephaniah’s focus is on the Day of the Lord. This Day of the Lord is a day of doom and despair because the Holy God is coming in judgement of rebellious idolaters. While previously the Day of the Lord had been viewed with

, Zephaniah’s message of the Day of the Lord is one in which God visits His people in wrath; however, there is hope for those who repent and seek the Lord.

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to Rejoice (Zephaniah 3:14)

Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! —Zephaniah 3:14

Zephaniah invites the people of Judah to see beyond their present

and focus on God’s promises.

Cry out and sing, citizen of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is among you in His greatness. —Isaiah 12:6

In the previous chapters of Zephaniah’s prophecy, the message has been doom and gloom because Yahweh is coming in wrath on the rebellious Judeans. Even when judgment seems imminent, God offers a reason to celebrate.

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for Rejoicing (Zephaniah 3:15-20)

Divine

(Zephaniah 3:15-17a)

The Lord has removed your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you; you need no longer fear harm. On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves.” —Zephaniah 3:15-17a

God promises deliverance from both external

and internal

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.
This prophecy foreshadows the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who, on the cross, would ultimately defeat our greatest enemies: sin, death, and the devil.

This is what your Lord says— the Lord, even your God, who defends his people—’Look, I have removed from your hand the cup that causes staggering; that goblet, the cup of my fury. You will never drink it again. —Isaiah 51:22

The cup is an Old Testament allusion to God’s righteous wrath on sin. In the Old Testament it is prophesied that the Messiah would save His people from judgement. On the cross, Jesus drank the cup that He mixed with His own hand, a cup full of holy judgement for sin.

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. —Isaiah 41:10

In Christ, we can find courage and strength. We have no cause to fear because Yahweh

those rebels who turn back to Him.

I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a permanent covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. When my sanctuary is among them forever, the nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel. —Ezekiel 37:26-28

Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. —Revelation 21:3-4

Divine

(Zephaniah 3:17b)

He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing. —Zephaniah 3:17b

This verse offers a beautiful picture of God’s

. Like a groom rejoicing over his bride (Isaiah 62:5), God takes pleasure in His people.

Divine

(Zephaniah 3:18-20)

I will gather those who have been driven from the appointed festivals; they will be a tribute from you and a reproach on her. Yes, at that time I will deal with all who oppress you. I will save the lame and gather the outcasts; I will make those who were disgraced throughout the earth receive praise and fame. At that time I will bring you back, yes, at the time I will gather you. I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. The Lord has spoken. —Zephaniah 3:18-20

On that day—this is the Lord’s declaration—I will assemble the lame and gather the scattered —Micah 4:6

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. —Isaiah 61:1-3

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him, and unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. —Luke 4:17-19

Jesus Himself announced at the beginning of his earthly ministry that He was the promised

. His earthly ministry includes preaching the good news, healing, and setting the captives free.

Included in this gathering of His people, God brings in the Gentiles who were once excluded.

At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. —Ephesian 2:13-14

These promises remind us that God is

. Whatever trials we face, we can trust that God will fulfill His promises. Christmas is a celebration of God’s faithfulness, seen in the birth of Christ and the promise of His return.

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is the Ultimate Cause for Rejoicing

God has drawn near to humanity in the incarnation, life, and death of Jesus. The reality of this nearness is perpetuated in his resurrection and Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–30; 16:13–15; 20:19–22; Acts 2:1–4). The Gospel writers witness to Jesus as the very presence of the God of Israel. Paul speaks of God who has drawn near in the person of Jesus (incarnation) and of his presence in the resurrection by the Spirit. Jesus Christ (Messiah) himself will usher in this glorious new world at his second coming. Finally, the earth will experience what God always intended.

Conclusion & Application

Zephaniah’s message is clear:

is coming, but so is

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. For those who repent and trust in God, there is every reason to rejoice. Christmas reminds us of this truth. In Christ, we have divine deliverance, divine delight, and divine promises.

1. Even those who suffer judgment for their actions may still turn to trust in Yahweh until their last breath (Luke 23:41–43; 1 Cor. 3:15).
2. When people humbly receive the gospel, God rejoices and sings (Zeph. 3:17). When diverse people call on the name of the Lord with one voice, God will delight (Isa. 62:1–5; 65:17–19). His rejoicing is like that of a father waiting for and rejoicing in the prodigal son who returns home (Luke 15:11–32). Even in a prophetic book known for its judgment, the heart of God longs to bring his people home (Zeph. 3:20). That is the purpose of the judgment. God longs to restore a good creation. All are invited to the party.
3. The appropriate response to the redemptive work of God among His people is to throw a party. This is precisely what God is communicating. What’s more, this is not just a momentary celebration. The understanding here is that this is their new way of life. This is not just a fleeting, volitional choice to “sing for joy” or “shout loudly.” This is a transformation of the heart.
4. Christ’s presence and blessing will bring inexpressible joy and absolute security to his people. Never again need believers fear because the LORD, the King of Israel, is with them.