The Pulpit Commentary — Zephaniah — Section 37

clearly that, whilst God wa11 workine; out his special purposes of love to the race throui,;h' the medium of" the chosen people," he was also in various ways by hi~ Spirit striving with <ill the children of men. The beauty in the teachings of the Hebrew prophets consists in t.he fact that they were so ready to acknowledge all this; that they broke through the narrow boundary of exclusiveness which the Jews guarded so jealously, and told of the Divine working in all lands, and of the Divine intention to bless the ent.ire race. The case of the Prophet Zephaniah is a conspicuous example of thi~. Whilst declaring the Divine judgments to light upon his own people, he also looked north and south, east and west, a.nd saw the retributions which were to come upon the heathen nations. Nor did he rest here, but, peering still further into the future and apprehending the Divine Ruler as bringing order out of chaos, and out of trial and sorrow working good for the race, he pa.used in the midst of his dark announcements of coming woe to proclaim this loving design of his God (ver.11), whilst at length, having ended his predictions of impending evil, he again turned to this cheering theme, a.nd lingered upon it even to the very end of his prophecy (eh. iii. 8-20). L THE Drvnrn PURPOSE AS HERE EXPRESSED. This includes: 1. The complete extinction of idolatry. This is most expressly referred to here under the figure of star- vation. The gods of the heathen should die through want and neglect. "He will famish all the gods of the earth" (ver. 11). 2. The full establishment of the worship of God. ".A.nd men shall worship him every one from his place" (ver. 11). 3. 'l'he universal acknowledgment of him by Gentile nations. "Even all the isles of the heathen" (ver. 11). The thought of the universality of this acknowledgmeilt of the true God eventually is seen to be the more decidedly expressed here as we remember that in ancient times whole countries and continents were described as "the isles." II. THIS Drvn."'E PURPOSE IS TO BE WROUGHT OUT THROUGH THE OUTWARD DISCIPLINE oF CONFLICT AKD TRIAL. "The Lord will be terrible unto them" (ver. 11). . Men are to be humbled that God may be exalted. They pursue their own designs, and often care only for the realization of their own selfish ends, but " the Lord sitteth in the heavens," ruling over all, and, through a.II the conflicts and strifes, the turmoils a.nd trials of individuals and nations, he is bringing to pass his loving purposes; and is leading on to the glory of the latter day. llL THE THOUGHT OF GOD AS WORKING THUS YIELDS INSPIRATION AND STRENGTH TO TRUE Al.'D LOYAL HEARTS AHIDST THE DIFFICULTIES AND DISCOURAGEMENTS IN HOLY SERVICE. This wa.s to Zepha.niah the source of strength. Whilst faithful to his trust a.s the messenger of judgment he made to his own and to heathen nations the stem announcements of coming tribulation, he paused again and again to reflect upoa the thought that these very judgments should be made to contribute to the accomplishment of God's merciful and gracious design to bless and save the race. Ver. 12.-171.e doom. of Ethiopia. We have here simply a passing allusion, yet we do well to pause and reflect upon it. Every word of God is "profitable,'' and even words which at first glance seem unimportant a.re found on reflection to be suggestive of holy teaching. We are reminded h~r&-- L THAT THE DrVINE JUDGMENTS REAOH EVEN TO DEMOTE PLAOF.8. Ethiopia was in the south, and at the extreme south. Now, Judah had other and nearer foes in that direction. There was Edom and there was Egypt ; but the prophet, in his announcement of coming Divine judgments, carried his thoughts beyond these, and fixed his mini! upon those dwelling at the remotest point. "Ye Ethiopians also," etc. {ver. 12); Remoteness will not BCreen wrong-doers. lL TB.AT IT 18 PERILOUS TO STAND IN ASBOOUTION WITH THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN EVIL-DOING. These Ethiopians or Cushites had no direct conflict with Judah, but they were in alliance with Egypt; and through this al1:mnce they would have to suffer in the time of coming retribution. Egypt was spec1ally siagled out for judgment because of her oppression, and Ethiopia, as one of her allies, her" helpers," would fall under the retributive chastisements of God (Ezek. xxx~ 4, 5). They who ally them- selves with transgressors make themselves participators in their crimes, and mu~t expect to be partakers of their plagues. Ill. THAT THE EVIL PASSIONS OF MEN ARE MADE TO FULFIL 'l'HE Drvnrn BEI-mtn~. \L,r ii; a terrible evil. In no way are tho evil pabsioob of men more sul'ely let loosa 0B, II, 1-16,] THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH. 35