Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city! She has not obeyed His voice, she has not received correction, she has not trusted in the Lord, she has not drawn near to her God. Her princes in her midst are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves that leave not a bone till morning. Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people. Her priests have polluted the sanctuary; they have done violence to the law. The Lord is righteous in her midst; He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light. He never fails, but the unjust knows no shame. “Therefore wait for Me,” says the Lord, “Until the day I rise up for plunder. My determination is to gather the nations to My assembly of kingdoms, to pour on them My indignation, all My fierce anger. All the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy….I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst. You shall see disaster no more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear. Zion, let not your hands be weak. The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3
Here we have a summation of the Lord’s dealings with His people, Israel:
Their waywardness. His faithfulness.
Their rebellion. His jealous anger.
His judgement. Their restoration.
Their joy. His joy.
