Vere. 18-20.-The moral restoration of manlcind. "I will gather them that ar sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it wa a burden. Behold, at that time 1 will undo all that afflict thee," etc. "The ~lvatiou held up in prospect before the remnant of Israel, which has been refined by the judg- ments and delivered, was at a very remote distance in Zephaobb's time. The first thing that awaited the nation was the judgment through which it was to be dispersed among the heathen, according to the testimony of Moses and all the prophets, anc to be refined in the fwnace of affliction. The ten tribes were already carried away into exile, and Judah was to share the same fate immediately afterwards. In order, there- fore, to offer to the pious a firm consolation of hope in the period of suffering that awaited them, and one on which their faith could rest in the midst of tribulation, Zephaniah mentions, in conclusion, the gathering together of all who pine in misery at a distance from Zion, and who are scattered far and wide, to assure even these of their future particiration in the promised salvation" (Delitzscb). These verses may be taken to illustrate the moral restoration of mankind. Taking them for this purpose, we have the restoration and the Restorer. We have·bere- I. TaE RESTORATION. What is the restoration? 1. From the deprivation of religious privileges to their enjoyment. The Jews, who were in a state that rendered it impossible to celebrate their religious festivals at Jerusalem, are here represented as frlled with sorrow or grief when they reflected on the privileges of their ancestors. "By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept," etc. Though unregenerate men may live amidst religious priviloges, they are really deprived of them, for they dv not possess and enjoy them. '!'heir moral restoration brings them into that happy enjoyment. Though the ungodly man holds the gospel in his hand, he is morally exiled from it. It is more distant from him than was the temple from the Jew iu Babylon. 2. From the sufferings of oppression to the happiness of delivernnce. "Behold, at that time I will undo nil that afflict thee: aud I will save her that halteth, and i(ather her that was driven out." The literal reference is here, of course, to Babylonian tyrants, By the providence of God these were overcome. Their 11uwer 72 THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAt-I. [CR. Ill, 1--20.
wR.s broken, their counsels confounded, so that they were forced to surrender their prey. " I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out." The Hebrew captives were delivered, and brought b&ok to their own country and city. In moral restoration the power of the oppressor is broken, the soul is delivered from the power of Satan and the bondage of corruption. "Being made free from sin, and become sernmts to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." What was the tyranny of Babylon to the Jews, compared to the tyranny of evil over the soul ? 3. From the condition qf reproach to that of true honour. "I will get them pra.ise and fame in every land where they have been put to she.me." High above all nations was Israel at one time. The " reproach" brought on them was one of their "ore~t grievll.jcei;; that reproach has been partially wiped away, the Jewish people are the most distinguished of the races of the earth, for of them Christ came, who is the glory of his people Israel. When a man is morally restored, he becomes truly honourable, not before. Goodness is moral majesty. There is no true royalty which has not its foundation in moral excellence. Il. THE RESTORER. All the restoration sketched in these verses was effected by whom? Not by Cyrus and bis battalions: they were but instruments. It was Jehovah. "I will gather; " " I will save;" " I will get them praise;" "1 bring you again;" "1 will make you a. name;" "I tum be.ck your captivity." So in moral restorntion. No one ce.n restore a soul but God. It is his work. 1. A work which he does i,,. moral means. By the gospel. 2. A work which, from the nature of the ca.qe, must proceed gradually. 3. A work which will one day be consummated. -D.T. HOMILETICAL INDEX TO
,-_rHE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH.
CHAPTER I. TBEll'E PAr.g TIIEHE PA.QR The Doom of Assyria 35 The Prophet and his Times 5 A Call to Repentance, addressed to A Corrupt Priesthood and its Per. the Nation of Judah 35 nicions In811enoe 6 An Exhortation to the Meek, addressed Divided Service ... 6 to the Believing Remnant of J odah 37 The Sin of Apostasy 7 Divine Judgments npon Heathen The Sin of Indifferenoe 8 Nations 33 " The Day of the Lord " 9, 16 The Doty of seeking the Lord 40 "No Respect of Persons" ... 10 Sin and Repentance : the Bane and Searching Jerusalem with Candles 10 the Antidote 4-J, A Prophet of Doom 11 The Sinner's Baleful lnllnence, and " The Day of the Lord's Saorifice" 13 God's Disposal of All 44 The Soul's Silences before the Pre- The Persecution of the Good 45 sence of the Lord 15 Good Things in the Future ... 47 Foreign Clothes 15 National Pride and Na.tioual Ruin 4,7 Settled on One's Lees 16 The Jndgment threatened ..• 17 'fhe Word 21 CIIAPTER III. The Day of War the Day of Horrors... 22 GoiH and Retribution 53 Symbols of the Final Prosperity of CHAPTER II. God's Spiritual Kingdom 54 The Restoration of the Jews 65 The Evil summoned to Repontanoe 80 Pictorial Representation of the Church The Good stimulated to a Truer of God in the Latter Age 66 Life 81 The Abiding Presenoe of God with The Doom of the Philistines 82 his Church 67 The Divine Jnclgment npon the Words of Help end Hope to the Moabitos and Ammonites 38 Exiled nnd Banished 58 The Divine Pnrpose in Reference to Jerusalem the Rebellions a.ad Polluted; the Race, and the Way of its Fol- or, the Wickedness and Woe of a De- Jllment ... 33 generate City 59 The Doom of Ethiopia 34 The Sh11melessnees of Sin GO 7-EPHANIAII. ~· 5 ii INDEX.
TREM'lt rAGB TITRMJt P.&.OW The Gracione Aote of J ehova.h ; or, The Pl'omise of Restoration 64. Ierael'e Glorione Future 60 A Religious City terribly Degenerate 67 The Reoiprooa.l Joy of Israel and Terrible Calamities in Human History' 68 Jehovah 62 The Good Time ooming 60 God and his People 63 A Sketoh of a morally Regenerated The Turning a.gain of Israel's Cap- City 70 tivity; or, Good News for Sin's Joy, Human anli. Divine 'i0 Eriles ... 64, The Moral Restoration of Mankind 71