The Pulpit Commentary — Zephaniah — Section 9

Vers. 4, 5.-.A corrupt priesthood and its pernicious influence. 'l'he work of refor- mation carried on by Hezekiah was unquestionably great, yet it cannot be correctly described as having been complete. The weerls of idolatry were extensively destroyed by him, yet many roots remained, and, springing up, bore a fresh harvest of evil in the succeeding reigns, so that the godly Josiah found himself confronted with a powerful remnant of idolatry. In dealing with this he must have been materially assisted by :he bold denunciations of Zephaniah; and these were fittingly directed' first of all again~t the corrupt priesthood (ver. 4). We have here- I. AN EXALTED OFFICE. That of the priest. The Jewish priesthood was of Divine appointment, chosen and set apart by God to the most sacrod duties, and the whole being typical of the character and mission of the grea.t High Priest who was in the fulness of time to appear. And whilst in his work these functions received their con- summation, and the Aaronic priesthood passed away, yet Christ when be ascended upon high "gave gifts unto men," etc. (Eph. iv. 11-13). The work of the ministry is scriptural, noble, honourable. Those divinely called to it have to teach the truth of God, to seek to win men to righteousness and heaven, to lead worshippers to the very throne of the Eternal, to direct the activities of the Church, and to shepherd the flock of Christ. The work is "a good work" (1 Tim. iii. 1), and faithfully to do it is to secure present and eternal honour. ' II. THIS HIGH OFFICE CORRUPTED. Those here styled "the Chemarims" were Jewish priests, some of whom were of the tribe of Levi, and others chosen ,from the lowest of the people, who sold themselves to the faithless kings of Judah, and at their bidding offered polluted rit.es e.t the altar of God, and joined with the heathen priests in serving the altars of Baal (2 Kings :x:xlii. 5; Hos. x. 5). The highest and holiest functions may still be perverted. This is the case when motives other than those of love to God and to the souls of men impel to engaging in ministerial service, or when in rendering such service any compromise is made with error and sin. III. THE PEBnCIOUS INFLUENCE RESULTING FROM SUCH CORRUPTION. "Like priests, like people." Hence, immediately following the allusion to the corrupt -priesthood, reference is made to the people as worshipping the host of heaven upon the house-tops (ver. 5). Luther says, "The chemarim produced an erroneous opinion among the people that they were of all others the most assiduous in religion and Divine.worship,'' and if so, their influence over the people would be proportionately increased through their zeal, and no wonder that, following these false guides, idolatry and irreligion so widely prevailed in the land. A faithless and disloyal ministry in any age must prove a bli~ht and a curse. fV. THE Drvn.'E JUDGMENTS PRONOUNCED AGAliNST THESE F AITHLEBS ONES AND THEIR ADHERENTS. Their followers should be visited with retribution, whilst as to these false leaders, they should be "cut off," and their very name be blotted out. Their fate speaks silently and solemnly to all who claim to be ministers of God. His .charge to all such is," Son of man, I have made thee a watchman," etc. (Ezek. ii. 17-21), and this is his promise attached to fidelity, "Be thou faithful -unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. ii. 10). , , Ver. 5.-Divided service. "That worship and that, swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham." It is not two distinct classes of persons that are here :referred to, but one and the same class. The allusion is' to such as sought to be identified .both with the service of God and the service of Malcham. It is an example .cif divided sen•ice that is here presented t.o us, an illustration of men attempting that.which. tne great Teacher in a later age declared to be altogether impracticable, even to ser:ve two masters. l. AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK ATTEMPTED, AND RESULTING IN FAILURE AND RHAME. }; T/ie task. Malcham, or Malkam, or "king," was a term used for Baal, and who is thus described on the Phreoician inscriptions. The times being corrupt, and idolatry being popular in the land, there were those who, from considerations of policy and interest doubtless, attempted to combine the worship of Jehovah and that of Baal, or Malcham. The same spirit prevails still ; men desire to serve both God and mammon, and too much resemble those who were" willing to serve God so that they did not offend the devil." 2. The task is an impossible one; it cannot be accomplished. (1) Scriptura Oil, I. 1-18.] THE BOOK OF ZEPIIANIATI. 7