Zephaniah 3:1-20
After having punished the nations, the hand of the LORD will be stretched out over Jerusalem, the rebellious city of corruption and oppression! Alas, the four reproaches which follow in v. 2 could be addressed even to the children of God when they neglect the Word: "she obeyed not the voice; she received not correction" – or prayer: "she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God."
It is the time when the word of the Lord Jesus will be fulfilled: "the one shall be taken, and the other left" (Matthew 24:40). The rebellious, the proud, the haughty will be taken (v. 1), and the LORD will cause to be left down here a people who are afflicted, humbled, and trusting in Himself alone (v. 12). There is joy for this remnant (v. 14), still greater joy for the Lord whose love will thus be satisfied! This v. 17 applies to Christ’s reign, but it surely awakens even at the present time an echo in the heart of each one of the redeemed. Yes, think of His joy. He who wept while here on this earth already knows a full and marvellous joy, and, dear believer, it is "over thee" (Psalms 126:6). After the terrible "travail of his soul", He will joy for ever – and His own with Him – in the perfect rest of His love (v. 17; Jeremiah 32:41).