The Pulpit Commentary — Zephaniah — Section 59

Crying out to G0d, longing for the fulfilment of their cherished hopes, Ju exilo they a.re still his "suppliants," expecting the promised Messiah, and, whilst many of them a.re embittered against Christianity, there are not wanting numbe1s who have embraced it, and openly avowed their faith in Christ, whilst mauy are bi~ disciples "secretly," ready to avow themselves his, only shrinking from the pains and penalties involver!, whilst a still larger number are inquiring concerning him, and nre easily accessible t-0 the missionary of the cross. II. THEIR ULTIMATE RESTORATION. 1. The fact of their spiritual recovery is hero emphatically declared (ver. 10). From the remotest parts they shall come and sur- render themselves as an offering unto God. "All Israel shall ho saved." '!'hey shall be brought in with the fulness of the Gentiles, and II there shall be one flock, one Shepherd" (John x. 16). Their restoration to their own land is a question of comp1ua- iive unimportance in view of this spiritual recovery which is so frequently declared in the unerring Word of God (Rom. ix. 1-6, 8, 9; x. 1-4; xi. 1, l:J, 11-15, 23-32; 2 Cor. iii. 12-16). 2. It is implied here that this spiritual restoration shall be effected through the agency of the Gentiles. The offering here referred to as to be brought unto the Lord was "the meat offering." The idea expressed here is that, just as the children of Israel presented the meat offering unto God, su the Gentiles themselves, converted to him, should labour for the conversion of the Jews, and, crowned with success in this holy service, should bring these Hebrew converts as a meat offering unto the Lord. And the meaning is still more clear if we remember the signification of the meat offering. It was a sacrifice in which the Jew recognized God's goodness and grace in the bounties of his hand, and acknowledged that these gifts were his by right, and ought to be consecrated unto him. .And even so, it is here declared that the Gentiles should recognize God's mercy in bringing home to himself his chosen race, and should present these converts to him as those who were his in virtue of all be had done for them, and who ought to be entirely consecrated to his service, 'l'he Church of Christ should ever prove herself a missionary Church, and in these enterprises a conspicuous place should be assigned to work for the spiritual goocl of God's ancient people, whose "falling away" shall result in "the reconciliog of the world," and the restoration of whom shall be "as life from the dead" (Rom. xi. 15). Vers.11-17.-Pictorial representation of the Church of God in the latter age. Dark days were in store for his people when this prophet prophesied. 'l'he Captivity was in prospect, and there would soon be occasion for them, by "the rivers of Babylon," to "weep as they remembered Zion.n Still, he would have them remember that it wouhl not be ever thus, but that the time should come in which the ransomed of the Lord should return to Zion with sonas 0 and with gladness. In these verses he draws a beautiful picture of the Church of the future. How far bis description has been realized in the past in the experience of the Hebrew Church in connection wit.h the n,: urn from captivity, it would be impossible for us to indicate; certain, however, is it that, for the full realization of this, we must turn to the future, to the Church of God in the latter age. We do well to unite with the good of all past times in look)ng on by faith to that bright day of God which shall yet dawn upon the world sm bas darkened and s0rrow blighted, and to anticipate, with expectant hearts, its glodous appearing. Concerning the Church of the future, we are reminded here of- I. HER PERFECTED CHARACTER. Her members are represented as: 1. Purified. So pure indeerl should they be as that "they should not be ashamed for all their doings whereio they had transgressed against God" (ver. 11); i.e. they ~hould have "uo m~re conscience of sin" (Htb. x. 2). So completely should they be delivered from the old hfe of sin that even the remembrance of the sinful past should all be obliterated, and should no more rise before them to disturb and distress. 2. Humble. No longer puffed up with spiritual pride, boasting of themselves as being the favoured of Heaven, and glorying in their s1,ecial advantages of ancestry and country, "they should ~o more be haughty because of God's holy mountain" (ver. 11), but should be lowly In heart, and clothed with that humility and meekness wbich is in the sight of God of great price. 3. Trustful. Restiug wholly in "the Name of the Lord, which is a strong tower" (Prov. xviii. 10). "And they shall trust in the Name of the Lord" (ver. 19. 4. Sii,cere. They should reach unto the heights of holy obedience, and which is, CH, III. 1-20.] TlIE BOO!{ OF ZEt>IlANIAtl. 57