Zephaniah 3:18-20 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of you, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.… I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee, etc. "The salvation held up in prospect before the remnant of Israel, which has bee, refined by the judgments and delivered, was at a very remote distance in Zephaniah'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, and to be refined in the furnace of affliction. The ten tribes were already carried away into exile, and Judah was to share the same fate immediately afterwards. In order, therefore, 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 participation in the promised salvation" (Delitzsch). 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 here - I. THE 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 filled 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 privileges, they are really deprived of them, for they do not possess and enjoy them. Their 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 in Babylon. 2. From the sufferings of oppression to the happiness of deliverance. "Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out." The literal reference is here, of course, to Babylonian tyrants. By the providence of God these were overcome. Their power was 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 back 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 servants 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 of reproach to that of true honour. "I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame." High above all nations was Israel at one time. The "reproach" brought on them was one of their sorest grievances; 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. II. THE RESTORER. All the restoration sketched in these verses was effected by whom? Not by Cyrus and his battalions: they were but instruments. It was Jehovah. "I will gather;" "I will save;" "I will get them praise;" "I bring you again;" "I will make you a name;" "I turn back your captivity." So in moral restoration. No one can restore a soul but God. It is his work. 1. A work which he does by moral means. By the gospel. 2. A work which, from the nature of the case, must proceed gradually. 3. A work which will one day be consummated - D.T. Parallel Verses KJV: I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. |
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