Zephaniah 3:9-20

Zephaniah 3:9-20

[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.  [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.  [14] 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  evil  [16] In that day  it shall be said  to Jerusalem,  Fear  thou not: and to Zion,  Let not thine hands  be slack.  [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. 

What does Zephaniah 3:9-20 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Having finished the revelation dealing with God"s judgment of the world in a coming day ( Zephaniah 1:2 to Zephaniah 3:8), Zephaniah now announced that He would bring great blessing to all humankind after that judgment ( Zephaniah 3:9-20). As in the section of the book on judgment, he revealed God"s plans for the Gentile nations briefly first and then spoke extensively about His plans for Israel.
"Why did the prophets consistently close their books with messages of hope? For at least three reasons. To begin with, hope is a great motivation for obedience, and the prophets wanted to encourage God"s people to submit to God"s will and do what He commanded. God"s covenant blessings come to His people only when they obey His covenant conditions.
"A second reason is the prophets" emphasis on the faithfulness of God. The Lord will keep His promises and one day establish the kingdom; and since God is faithful to keep His promises, we ought to be faithful obeying His Word. ...
"Finally, the closing message of hope was an encouragement to the faithful remnant in the land, who were true to God and suffered because of their devotion to Him. It"s difficult to belong to that "company of the committed" who stand true to the Lord and His Word no matter what others may do or say. Knowing that God would one day defeat their enemies and reign in righteousness would encourage the believers [1] remnant to persist in their faithful walk with the Lord." [2]