APATRISTICCOMMENTARY

THE BOOK
OF

ZEPHANIAH
FR.TADROSY.MALATY

Translatedby
DR.GEORGEBOTROS

EnglishTextrevisedby
NaguiAbdElSayed
Dr.NoraElAgamy

COPTICORTHODOXCHRISTIANCENTER

Orange California

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 ACALLTOTHEHOLYLIFE

GodinHisloveformankind,ispreoccupiedwitheveryman,aswellaswithhumanityasa
wholewishingtosetoutofit,aniconofHisholylovequalifiedforthefellowshipintheeternal
glories,andfortheenjoymentoftheincessantheavenlyjoy.
This icon would not be realized in us, unless we enjoy the holy life, whose way is
repentancenamely,thereturntotheHolyOne.
ThisisthegoalofthewholeHolyBookthegoalofthedivinesalvationandthegoalofthis
bookwhereGodistransfiguredasbeingthe jealousholyGodwhoonly chastenstosanctify in
orderthatmanwouldnotmixbetweenhisfellowshipwithGod,andhisfellowshipwithevilwhich
isunacceptablebytheHolyOne.
Godrejoicesoverthecollectiverepentance.ThewayHestretchesHishandstoembracethe
whole world as one holy bride He desires, likewise, to see the believer open his heart to
accommodateallhisfellowbrethren,andthewholehumanity,toenjoythenewlifeintheLord.
Godspleasureis,forallnationstobetransformedintoapurelipthatpraisestogetherinone
spirit,rejoicingoverherSaviorGodinaperpetualjoy,intruefreedom.

ANINTRODUCTIONTOTHEBOOKOFZEPHANIAH

ZEPHANIAH

AHebrewnamemeaningJehovahcovers,hides,orprotects,wasprobablyonhismind,
when hewrote:Seekhumility,ItmaybethatyouwillbehiddeninthedayoftheLordsanger
(Zephaniah2:3)namelyInthedayofthefearofGod.

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 HestartedhispropheticworkatthebeginningofthereignofJosiahthesonofAmonking
of Judah. He himself has been of the tribe of Judah. He was a contemporary of the prophet
Jeremiah, at the beginning of his ministry and with whom he conformed in his goaland way of
writing.HehadanimportantroleinthereformmovementthatwascarriedoutbykingJosiah.
Of Zephaniahs life, we only know the information that came in this book. Because he
referredhimselftokingHezekiah,itisassumedthathewasadescendantofthatgoodking.Hewas
borninanunknownlocationinJudah.
Thecircumstancesaroundthisbook:
King Hezekiah had three sons who successively succeeded him (2 Kings 2021) two of
whomwereevilandidolatersduringwhosereign,idolatry,abominationsofeverykind,corruption,
and social oppression, prevailed on all levels in Israel, where the rich horribly abused the poor.
AfterthemcamethegoodkingJosiah,whoascendedthethronewhenhewas16yearsofage,and
beganamovementofreformthatmadehimoneofthemostbelovedofthekingsofJudah.
Duringthatreformperiodthepeopleweredividedintomorethanonecategory:
Thegreatestmajority,althoughgoingalongwiththemovementofreformyettheycaredfor
theouterappearancesmorethanthereformoftheirsouls,theirinnerlife,andtheirbehavior.Those
were described by the prophet Jeremiah in the early chapters of his book, as having been only
preoccupied with the mere presence of the temple in their midst, with no care for the actual
dwellingoftheLordamongHispeople.
Averyfewremnant,faithfulinreformingtheirlife,inholdingfasttothewordofGod,and
inseekingHisglory.Thisremnantwastheobjectofridiculeofthemajority.
Dateofwritingthisbook:
ItisobviousthatprophetZephaniahstartedhisministrybeforethefallofNinevehandthe
appearanceofthestateofBabylon.BecausethereformmovementofkingJosiahhasnotyetbegun,
inwhichZephaniahplayedanimportantrole,Somescholarsbelievethathispropheticministry,50
yearsafterthatofprophetNahum,mostprobablybeganaroundtheyear640to625BCandthathe
wrotethisbookattheendofthatperiod.
Thekeyofthisbook:
TheLordyourGodisinyourmidst,ThemightyOnewillsaveHewillrejoiceoveryou
withgladnessHewillrenewyouinHisloveHewillrejoiceoveryouwithsinging(Zephaniah3:
17)
Itsfeatures:

1Itsgoalistoincitetorepentanceasawaytosalvationtorebuketheleadersandthe
people on all levels, and to proclaim the approach of affliction namely the fall of Judah into
captivitybytheBabylonians(theChaldeans).Butmostprobablyhediedbeforethedevastationof
Jerusalem,whichheprophesied.
2Thebookbeginswithaproclamationofafflictions,andendswithpraisethesameway
followed by the majority of prophets, who began their books by warning confirming the coming
chastisements of God Then ended them by opening the door of hope, especially through the
proclamation of the coming of the Messiah. This book represents a magnificently sweet musical
symphony of divine love, starting in sadness, by proclaiming Gods serious love then ending it
withrejoices.ItisoneofthesweetestjoyfulpraisesintheOldTestament.
3 This book bears an ecumenical tendency: If the kingdom of Judah would fall under a
swift chastisement, following a longsuffering by God, that extended along the generations The
Gentiles, would likewise fall under judgment, because of their evil toward God and against His
people.Butthebookendswiththeproclamation thatthenewJerusalemthatwillembraceallthe
peoples,tobecomeanecumenicalpeopleofGod.Thisbookisacalltoallhumanitytowakeupto
enjoyafellowshipwithGod,andanexaltednewlife.
4Itisobviousthatthebookintroducesmanytalkssomeofwhich,attheendofhislife,by
theinspirationoftheHolySpirit,theprophetcollectedinthisbook.

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 5 Like many other prophetic books, At its end, itcarries, in a joyful evangelic language,
andin aneasy, simple, direct, and a veryunderstandable way, a good tiding to the Gentiles, that
theywilleventuallyrealizeandenjoythedivinetruth.
6Havingbeenoftheroyalseed,hewasawareofthesinsandiniquitiesthatcameoverthe
royalcourt,ofandwas inapositionthat gave himtherighttospeakopenlytothemabouttheir
transgressions.
7Theworddaycameseventimesinthisbook.Ifprecededbyacertainnumber,itwould
mostlyeithermean24hoursorawholeyear.Whereas,ifnot,itwouldmeanaparticulareventlike
forinstance,thedayofacertainruler,wouldmeanthecelebrationofhiswhole life.Saying the
dayoftheLord,means(theworkoftheLord)eitherHiscomingforchastisementHisdayof
judgmentorHisday ofsalvation.
Thedivisionsofthisbook:
1ThegreatdayoftheLordChapter1
2ThejudgmentofthenationsChapter2
3TherejoicingJerusalemChapter3
ThesethreechaptersrepresentthefoundationofthefellowshipwiththeHolyOnenamely
Faithhopeandlove.Inthe firstchapter,infaith,wegaintheforgivenessofsinsbelieving in
Godthelovingandthejust.InHisstrongcompassion,Heisfirmforthesakeofouredificationand
ofourfellowshipwith Him.Inthe secondchapter,Heproclaimstheopeningofthedoorofhope
beforeallthenationsandpeoplesbringingusoverfromchastisement,forthesakeofsanctifying
us,toHisspaciousheart,thatanticipatesthesalvationoftheworld.Andfinallyinthethirdchapter,
divinelovetransformsourheartsintotherejoicingJerusalem,aholyheaven,theobjectofpleasure
toGod.HesetstheKingdomofHeaveninusrejoicingoverusbearingHisname,andenjoyingHis
joyfuldivinework.
Chapter1: ThegreatdayoftheLord(Chastisement):
ThisisconsideredbysomescholarsasthetraditionalbooktoproclaimGodsjudgmentof
thenationsintheOldTestament.
God in His fiery jealousy (18), would not stand to see man attached to evil I will utterly
consumeallthingsfromthefaceoftheland(2).Hewouldnotstandeventheirrationalcreation,
whichHecreatedforthesakeofman.
Hewillconsumeallthingsfromthefaceoftheland.Incaseyoubecomeheaven,Hewould
notconsumeanythinginyou,butwoulddwellinsideyou,togetherwithHisangels.Whereasifyou
becomeland,youwouldloseyourself(theman)yourbody(thebeast),yourmind(thebirds),and
yourtalents(thefish)(3).
Godconfirmsthatthedayofchastisementisverynear(7,14).
GoddoesnotstandthemixingbetweenHispriestsandthoseoftheBaal.
The Holy One wishes for the holiness of His people He refuses even the unholy foreign
apparel(7,8).
ZephaniahprophesiesaboutthecaptivationofJudahbytheChaldeans(15).
Chapter2:ThejudgmentofthenationsOrtherepentanceasthewaytosalvation:
Thesecondchaptercameshiningwithmoresplendormovingfromchastisementtohopein
themerciesofGodthroughthecollectiverepentanceSeektheLord,allyoumeekoftheearth(2:
3).
Godrejoicesoverthecollectiverepentance:Gatheryourselftogether,yes,gathertogether,
O undesirable nation (2: 1). Yet, every member should present his repentance as a personal
relationshipthattoucheshisowndepthswithGod.
Thiscollectiverepentanceembracestheshepherdstogetherwiththeirflocks.Allareinneed
ofrepentanceandeveryoneofthemsupportstheother.
Thebelieveralsoneedsacomprehensiverepentance,touchingbothhis innersoul,andhis
body,inordertobecompletelyholy.
Positively repentance is a transformation toward God We seek the Lord, in His
righteousness,andHishumility,todwellinus,andtograntusHisfeatures.

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 Themainobstacleonthewayofrepentance,isslothfulness,andthelackoffeelingofthe
needforGodwhenthesoulofmanturnsintoaplaceforbeaststoliedown(15).namely,init,
everybeastlyandlustythought,wouldencounter.

TherejoicingJerusalemOrthereturnoftheGentilestotheLordChapter 3:
Chapter 3 presents the most magnificent portrait of hope in the whole world: to Israel,
togetherwiththewholehumanitywhenallenjoythemerciesofGodandHisamazingsalvation.
WhilerebukingHispeople,Godpresentsrepentanceasthewayfortheirsalvationopening
thedoorofhopetothewholehumanitythroughtheSaviorMessiah:ForthenIwillrestoretothe
peoples a pure language, that theyall may callon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one
accord(9,10).
WhatdoesitmeantoserveHimwithoneaccord,butforalltogethertobearthecrossof
ourLordJesusChrist,(asthoughononeshoulder).
Whatistheofferingpresentedbythepeoples(10),buttheonesacrificeofourLordChrist?!
Hisprophecyendswithjoy:SingOdaughterofZionTheLordGodisinyourmidstthe
mightyOnewillsaveHewillrejoiceoveryouwithgladness(14,17).
As the church bears the name of her Groom, and as her life becomes apraise of joy, He
says: I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your
captivesbeforeyoureyes,saystheLord(20).

ANINSPIRATIONFROMTHEBOOKOFZEPHANIAH
(Introduction)
RESTOREMETOYOU:TOBECOMEAPRAISEFORYOU

+IbeholdYourarmsstretchedforme,asinner!
IreturntoYou,tocarrymeinYourbosom.
TosanctifymebyYourgrace,OtheonlyholyOne
IwillreturntoYouinmysecretplace.
Iwillrepent,confessingmysinsandthesinsofmybrethren.
IwillencounterYousecretlyasanamazingGroom.
I willencounterYoutogetherwithmybrethren,OLoverofallhumanity.

+IbelievethatYouaretheForgiverofsins.
WhodoesnotrejectanysoulthatcomestoYou.
ButwillcleanseherwithYourblood,willpurifyandsanctifyher.
Andwillcutoffeveryevilinher.
AsYourefuseanyfellowshipwithevilandcorruption.

+ThedoorsofhopeinYouareopen
Whocanclosethembeforemyface?
Toenterwithfaith,filledwithhope,joy,andrejoice.

+WithYourlove,SetinmeYourheavenlyJerusalem
Dwell,OmightyGroom,inmydepths.
Transformmylifeintoanincessantwedding.
Presentmewiththepledge,asaheavenlygrant
Soastorejoicetogetherwithmybrethren
Topraisetogetherwiththemwithonelanguage
ByYou,allofuswill becomeauniquesymphonyoflove.

CHAPTER1
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 THEGREATDAYOFTHELORD

ThemajorityofJewsassumedthatGodwouldneverallowforthecaptivationofJudah,asit
happenedtoIsraelbecauseJudahembracesJerusalem,thecityofGod,andHistemple,thehouse
ofGod.Bythisthey,inaway,havemixedbetweentheworshipofGodandidolatry.Evenwiththe
reform movement of Josiah, the majority was satisfied with the outerformal reform, without the
spiritualreformoftheheart.ThatiswhytheprophecyofZephaniahcametoconfirmthecomingof
thegreatdayoftheLord,inwhichHewillchastenJudahandJerusalemwillfallundercaptivity,
andbedevastated.

AnIntroduction1
ThedesolationofJudah2 6
ThedayoftheLordisathand7 13
ThegreatdayoftheLord14 18
ANINTRODUCTION:
ThewordoftheLordwhichcametoZephaniahthesonofCushi,thesonofGedaliah,the
son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah
(Zephaniah1:1)
The introductionofthebookcametoconfirmthatwhatZephaniah states,are nothisown
words,butarethewordsoftheLord,proclaimedtohimfromheaven.
It presents to us the family tree of Zephaniah, back to four generations that end in king
Hezekiah,alsomentionedin2Kings18:1.
Josiahstartedhisreformmovementduringthetwelfth yearofhisreignSo,iftheprophet
ZephaniahstartedhisprophecywiththebeginningofthereignofJosiah,Therewouldbenodoubt
thathehadanimportantroleinthatreformmovement.
WeshouldnotmarvelattheprophetsinsistenceonmenioningAmon,theidolater,from
whoseseedJosiahcame,hewhotookitonhimselftocarryoutreligiousandspiritualreform..On
oneaspect,heintendstoconfirmthedangerofevil.DespitealltheeffortdonebyJosiah,Yetthe
peoplewereasthoughsufferingfromapersonalailmentascorruptionhasprevailedamongthem
becauseofAmon.Onanotheraspect,heintendedtoopenthedoorofhopebeforeus.Ifthefather
washopelesslycorrupt,Yet,hisyoungsonchallengedthecorruptionofhisfather,andsetforthto
workwithaspiritofpower.AndasproclaimedbytheLordHimself,onthetongueoftheprophet
Ezekiel, concerning the responsibility of every man for his own behavior, disregarding the
worthinessofhisfather:Behold,allthesoulsareMineThesoulofthefather,aswellasthesoul
ofthesonisMine,Thesoulwhosinsshalldie(Ezekiel18:4)And:Ifhowever,hebegetsason,
whoseesallthesinswhichhisfatherhasdone,Andconsidersbutnotdolikewise,Heshallnot
diefortheiniquityofhisfather,Heshallsurelylive(Ezekiel18:14,17).
+ThesoulthatdoesnotdwellinGod,isthesourceofitsevils,tosinAndthissoulwilldie.
(St.Ambrose)
THEDESOLATIONOFJUDAH:
Ishallutterlyconsumeallthingsfromthefaceoftheland,saystheLord(Zephaniah
1:2)
Godhascreatedtheearthformantoenjoy,asHisambassadorandtheagentofheavenfor
theearthtobeaniconofheaven.But,withthecorruptionofman,Godwouldconsumethisearth
fromexistence.Sinhascorruptedman,aswellasthelandonwhichhelives.TheheavenlyWordof
God,thencamedowntoourearthtosetoutofourheartsasecondheaven,worthybyHisgrace,for
Hislivinginit.Ifwepersistonstayingasearthanddust,wewouldnotbeworthyofexistenceBut
ofhearing thedivinevoice,saying:Iwillutterlyconsumeallthingsfromthefaceoftheearth(1).

6
Whereas if we become heaven, to live together with the apostle Paul in the heavenly places, we
shallnotbeconsumed,butwilleternallyenjoythedivinebosom.
With mans persistence on staying earthly, he would drink from the golden cup of the
bitternessofsin,getdrunk,andlosehisbalance,andevenhiswholelife.Thatiswhy,itisfitting
forustoaskGodtoconsumeeverythingearthlyinourhearts.
+BabylonisagoldencupinthehandoftheLordfromwhichthewholeearthwilldrink
Ifyouwishtoknowhow
thewholeearthwillbecomedrunkbydrinkingfromthecupofBabylonJustlookatthe
sinnerswhofillthewholeearth.Youmayprobably saythattherighteousdidnotdrink fromthe
cupofthesinnersSohowdoestheHolyBooksaythatthewholeearthgetsdrunkfromthecupof
Babylon?DontassumethattheBookisnottellingthetruthwhenitsayssoAstherighteousare
notearth(dust)Soit isonlythe wholeearth namely,onlythesinnerswhowillgetdrunk.The
righteousalthoughtheyexistonearth,Yettheirdwellingplaceisactuallyinheaven(Philippians3:
20).Itis notfitting,therefore,tosaytotherighteous:Youaredust(earth),andtodustyouwill
return But the Lord will certainly say to him, who bears the image of the heavenly man (1
Corinthians15:49):Youareheaven,andtoheavenyoushallreturn.Therefore,itisonlythose
whoarestillearth,whowillgetdrunkfromthecupofBabylon.
Origen
IwillconsumemanandbeastIwillconsumethebirdsoftheair,thefishofthesea,and
thestumblingblocksalongwithwicked.Iwillcutoffmanfromthefaceoftheearth,saystheLord
(Zephaniah1:2)
Manandbeast,willbeconsumed,eitherbycaptivationorbyperditionAndtheair,aswell
asthewaterwillbesopolluted,forthebirdsoftheairandthefishoftheseatobeconsumed.
The Lordportraystheutterdesolationthatwillbefallon humanitythatdenies its Creator
sayingthatbothmanandbeastwillbeconsumed.Ifmanreferstotherationalsoulofmanandthe
beasttohiscarnal fleshSinwoulddestroymanswhole lifeandwouldlethim lose hisrational
nature,aswellashisphysicalbodywhenheassumesthathishappinessisinbodilylusts.
Heconsumesthebirdsoftheairandthefishofthesea.Ifmanassumesthathecanfly,as
thoughtoheavenorcangodownwiththefishintothedepthsoftheseaHewouldneverbe ableto
hidefromtheeyesofGodnortoescapeHisdivinechastisement.AndasthePsalmistsays:Where
canIgofromYourSpirit?OrwherecanIfleefromYourpresence?IfIascendintoheaven,You
arethere,IfImakemybedinhell,behold,Youarethere(Psalm139:7,8).Soitisfittingfor
himtoflee,notfromGod,buttoGod!
+Wherecantheslaveofsinflee?Heiscarryinghismistressnamelysin,whereverhegoes.
ThewickedconsciencecannotfleefromitselfThereisnowheretogo!
Yes,mancannotwithdrawfromhimselfasthesinhecommitsiswellinsidehim.Hemay
commitsininordertogetsomebodilypleasureYetpleasurewilleventuallygoaway,butsinwill
remain.Whatbringshimpleasurewillpassover,leavingathornbehind.Whatawickedservitude!
Letusthen,allfleetoChristandrebelagainstsintoGod,beingourSavior.
+MansearchesforaplacetofleefromthewrathofGod!Wherecanhefindsuchaplace?!
WhereistheplacewhereGodisnot?!WhocandeceiveGod?!WhocanhidefromHis
eyes?!
+Letusfleeinhopeandlonging,bythedoublewingsoflove(LoveofGodandthatofthe
neighbor).Weshallnever findcomfort,exceptinthedepthsofthat seaoflove Letusfleeto
GodinhopeLetusinhopefilledwithfaith,contemplateontheendofthesea.
(St.Augustine)
Iwill stretch out myhandagainst Judah,andagainstall theinhabitants ofJerusalem.I
willcutoffeverytraceofBaalfromthisplace.Thenamesoftheidolatrouspriests(theCamarim
accordingto
anotherversion)thosewhoworshipthehostofheavenontheroofsthosewhoworship
andswearoathsbytheLord,butwhoalsoswearbyMilcom(Zephaniah1:4)

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 IfsomepeopleassumethatGodwillneverallowforthedesolationofJudah,becauseofthe
presence of Jerusalem and the temple, The holy God proclaims that He is not preoccupied with
Jerusalemorthetemple,asabuilding,butwiththeholinessHedesiresforallmen.Iftheylosetheir
holylife, He intendstoconsumethewhole earth,witheverythingon itwhich Hecreatedforthe
sakeofman.
StretchingHishandtochastenJudahingeneralGodwillchastenJerusaleminparticular
asthe cityofGodthatembraces His holytemplebecauseitallowedmixingtheworshipofGod
withidolatry.HeproclaimsthatHewillcutoffthenameofBaalandhisworshipfromthefaceof
theearth,togetherwiththeidolatrouspriests(2Kings23:5),wholedthepeopleastrayHewillcut
them, together with their idols those who worship the host of heaven, and those who swear by
Milcom.
TheBaal,isthePhoeniciangod,intowhoseworshipIsraelfellsincethedaysofthejudges
(Judges2:13).KingManassehmadeandsetawoodenimageforBaalinthetempleitself(2Kings
21:3,5,7).
TheCamarin:AHebrewnamederivedfromawordmeaning(black)becausethepriests
usedtowearblackattire,andtoputblacksignsontheirforeheads.Somebelievethatthepriestsof
Milcom were called (the black men) because their faces were smeared by the black smoke that
cameoutofthealtaronwhichtheyusedtoburnhumansacrifices,includingthoseoftheirchildren.
ThewordCamarimalsomeantzealous,becauseoftheirzealforspreadingidolatry.
Thosewhoworshipthehostofheavenonrooftopsthosewhoworshipandswearoathsby
theLord,butwhoalsoswearbyMilcom(Zephaniah1:5)
God refuses mixing between what is for Him and what is for the devil and fellowship
between light and darkness. Whena part of the heart is delivered to the devil, he will take itall
overandifanotherpartofitisleftforGod,Hewillfirmlyrefusesitandforsakesit.GodinHis
love,wouldneverforceHimselfonmansheart,unlessitiscompletelydeliveredtoHimtosetinit
HisKingdom.
SomeusedtomixbetweentheworshipofthelivingGodandthatoftheidolsandtoaddto
theiroathbythelivingGod,thenameofoneofthepagangods.Theworshipofthesun,themoon,
oroneofthestars,wasverycommon astheoldestofidolworships.
ThosewhohaveturnedbackfromfollowingtheLord,AndhavenotsoughttheLord,nor
inquiredofHim (Zephaniah1:6)
The people were divided into two groups: one who responded to Josiahs call for
repentancealbeitforacertaintime,ThenturnedbackfromfollowingtheLordtopracticeidolatry
thosewhohaveputtheirhandsontheplow,thenlookedbackwardsAndasecondgroupwho
didnotrespondtothekingscallandwerenotpreoccupiedwiththeLordaltogether.
Thebookhereconcentratesonthreemainsins:
Idolworship(45)
Faltering between two opinions: Sometimes swearing by the name of the living God, and
othertimesbyMilcom(5).
GivingtheirbacktoGod(6)
THEDAYOFTHELORDISATHAND:
BesilentinthepresenceoftheLordGod,ForthedayoftheLordisathand,FortheLord
haspreparedasacrifice,HehasinvitedHisguests (Zephaniah1:7)
Inresponsetothemockingwordsofmanywhocommentedontheprophetsthreatsabout
the devastation of Jerusalem, saying that generations after generations have passed, and nothing
happenedofwhattheprophetssaidandthattheirthreatswillnevermaterialize!Zephaniahsays:
ThedayoftheLordisathand(7).
The present days are the days of men, in which they do whatever they chose to do
Whereasthe lastday,whenGodproclaims His eternal kingdom,andgathersthetruebelieversto
Himself, is the day of the Lord, the day of chastisement in which He brings everyone into
account.ThisdayisathandandwillcomeattheLordsdiscretion.TheSabbath,theweeklyday

8
ofworship,isalsoconsideredthedayoftheLord,tobecomethesecretofblessingforthewhole
week.
GodallowedtheBabylonianstodefeatJudah,andtokillandslaymanyJewswhomthey
consideredassacrificesoffered,mercilesslyandjoyfully,totheirgods.
ThewordoftheLordcametoportraythat,saying:ForthisisthedayoftheLordGodof
hosts, a day of vengeance, That He may avenge Himself on His adversaries, The sword shall
devour It shallbe satiated, and made drunk with their blood For the Lord God of hosts has a
sacrificeinthenorthcountrybytheRiverEuphrates(Jeremiah46:10).And:Andasforyou,son
of man, thus says the Lord God: Speak to every sort of bird, and to every beast of the field:
AssembleyourselvesandcomeGathertogetherfromallsidestoMysacrificialmeal,whichIam
sacrificingforyou,AgreatsacrificialmealonthemountainsofIsrael,thatyoumayeatfleshand
drink blood. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, drink the blood of the princes of the earth
(Ezekiel39:17,18).
And itshallbe, In thedayof the Lords sacrifice, thatI willpunish theprinces and the
kingschildren,andallsuchasareclothedwithforeignapparel(Zephaniah1:8)
Chasteningthepeople,theLordstartswiththesinfulprinces,thekingschildren,therulers
andleadersofJudahwhomHeallowedtobeslainbyNebuchadnezarThosewhowereexpectedto
berolemodelstothecommonmasses,butbecameinsteadanoffensetothem.Thisprophecywas
realizedwhenthesonsofkingZedekiahwerekilledbeforehiseyes(Jeremiah39:6)
Saying:Allsuchasareclothedwithforeignapparelreferstotheprincesandmembersof
theroyalcourt,whousedtoshowoffbyputtingonveryexpensiveforeignapparel,probablyduring
idolworshipping by which they were considered as partaking of those practices. Others believe
thatthoseforeignapparels,wereofthetranssexualtypes,whenmenwearwomenclothesandvise
versawhichwasbannedbythelaw(Deuteronomy22:5).
InthesamedayIwillpunishallthosewholeapoverthethresholdWhofilltheirmasters
houseswithviolenceanddeceit (Zephaniah1:9)
Thosewholeapoverthethresholdisanexpressionthatprobablyreferstomantakingby
violenceanddeceit,whatbelongstohisneighborortothosewho,likehuntingdogs,seekthefavor
ofmembersoftheroyalcourt,bytakingwhatbelongtoothersontheirbehalf.
SomebelievethatitalsoreferstothePhilistineswhotookawaythearkofGodandbrought
itovertothetempleofDagoninAshdod,wheretheysetitbyDagonAndwhentheyfoundDagon
fallen on its face to the earth before the ark ofthe Lord, with its head and both the palms of its
handsbrokenoffonthethresholdthepriestsofDagon,andthosewhocameintoitstemple,usedto
leapoverthethreshold,soasnottotreadonitwiththeirfeet(1Samuel5:15).WhereasSt.Jerome
believes that it refers to those who used to ascend the steps of the Lords temple with pride and
haughtiness.
And there shallbeon that day, says the Lord,The soundofa mournful cry from the
FishGate,AwailingfromthesecondQuarter,Andaloudcrashingfromthehills(Zephaniah1:
10)
TheFishGate:ReferredtointhebookofNehemiah(33)oppositeJoppaandprobably
thesamegatethroughwhichthenewscameoftheapproachoftheChaldeanarmy,crashingfrom
thehills.Itwassocalledbecauseitwasclosetothefishmarketandthroughit,thefishermenfrom
lakeTeberiehandtheRiverJordanusedtocome.
AsthesoundofamournfulcrycamefromtheFishGate,therewasareactioninthesecond
Quarternamely,thelowerpartofthecity,wherepeoplewailedonhearingthosecriesthatechoed
fromonegatetoanotherofthecitywall.
Wail, you inhabitants of Macktesh, Forall the merchantpeople are cutdown All those
whohandlemoneyarecutoff(Zephaniah1:11)
Maktech was a lower and deep mortarshaped section of the city, inhabited by the rich
merchantsandbusinesspeopleButtheywereruined,andcompletelycutoffNomoresilverbearer
oramerchantcameintodobusinessAllbecamegroundedlikegrainsinamortar.Thatsituation,

9
in the book of Ezekiel, was also likened to a pot in which good pieces of meat: the thigh, the
shoulder,andthechoicebones,wereputtoboilandsummer(Ezekiel24:35).
SomebelievethathedoesnotreferheretoaspecificlocationinJerusalem,buttothecityas
awholewherethepeoplearestruckandcrushedtodeath,likegrainsinamortar.
MaktechorMortar,isanamethatappliestothehollowshapedvalleyofSiloam,between
ZionandMountOlivet,onthefareasternsideofMountMoriah,probablyclosetothefishmarket,
inhabitedbymerchants
AnditshallcometopassatthattimethatIshallsearchJerusalemwithlamps,andpunish
themenwhosettledincomplacency,whosayintheirheart,TheLordwillnotdogood,norwillhe
doevil (Zephaniah1:12)
Seeing the righteous in affliction, while the wicked enjoys success and prosperity, many
maywonder,saying:Whereisthedivinejustice?!Whereistherewardfortherighteous,andthe
punishmentforthewicked?!WhereisGodscareformankind?!
HereGodisportrayedholdingalamp,searchingthedarkandhiddencornersofJerusalem,
sothatnoevilmanwouldescapefromthedivinechastisement.HeisnotsearchingJerusalemfor
the lost coin (Luke 15: 810) having already presented many chances to the sinners to return to
Him.HereHeusesthelamptoseparatethewickedwhopersistondisregardingthethreatsofGod
tochastenthem.
God,notonlypunishesthosedrunkardswiththe wineoftheworldslovebuteventhose
whodrinktheprecipitatethatremainsatthebottomofthewinebottlesthosewhofallintopractical
atheism through, not denying the existence of God, but denying His care for the world and
mankindasthoughmanisofnorealvalueinHissight.
Inthischapter,GodisportrayedasthoughinthemidstofJudah,theworshipperofidols,to
judgeandchastenitWhereasinthe finalchapterofthebook,Heproclaims Hisdwellingamong
mankindasawhole,toletthemrejoiceover Him,asHedoesoverthembeingtheobjectofHis
pleasure.
+ The Lord Jesus, wishing to be among the Jews, came to the temple in Jerusalem in
daylight, and stayed there looking around at all things. But as the hour was already late, with
darkness(ignorance)fallingonthetemple,HeevaluatedeverythingaroundHimasthoughwitha
lamp(12),andfoundnoplaceofcomfortforHisheadHewentouttoBethanywiththetwelve
(Mark11:11).
WhentheSavior,aswellastheapostlessearchedthetempleandfoundnothing,theyleftit!
(St.Jerome)
+Thosewithlittlefaithandknowledge,oftenwonderwhytherewardforthesaintsisnot
giventhemduringtheirshortlifeinthisworld,andnotinthecomingone!
Butasfarasweareconcerned,wehaveputourhopeinChrist,andnotinthisworldlest
webecomeastheapostlesaythemostpitiableofallmen(1Corinthians1519).
Godwillnotkeeptemptationsawayfromtherighteousandwillnotrewardthemnorwill
punishthewickedinthis
world. If we say otherwise, we would be punished along with those, about whom the
prophetZephaniahsays:thosewhosayintheirheart,TheLordwillnotdogood,norHewilldo
evil(12).Orwewouldbecountedamongthosewhoblasphemethelord,saying:Everyonewho
doesevilisgoodinthesightoftheLord,AndHedelightsinthemOrsaying:WhereistheGodof
justice?(Malachi2:17).Orsaying:ItisvaintoserveGodWhatprofitisitthatwehavekeptHis
ordinance,and that we havewalkedas mourners before the Lordofhosts?Sonow we countthe
arrogantblessed,ForthosewhodowickednessareraisedupYes,thosewhotemptGodgofree
(Malachi3:14,15).
(FatherTheodore)
Thereforetheirgoodsshallbecomebooty,andtheirhousesadesolationTheyshallbuild
houses,butnotinhabit themTheyshallplantvineyards,butnotdrinktheirwine(Zephaniah1:
13)

10
 If God in His longsuffering, does not hasten to punish the evildoers, anticipating their
repentancethroughHiscompassion,Yet,iftheydonotreturntoHim,theywilldrinkfromthecup
theyhavefilled.
Theenemywilltakeeverythingawayfromthem:theirwealth,thehousestheybuilt,andthe
vineyardstheyplantedrealizingtheprophecythatcameinthebookofDeuteronomy(2830,39)
abouthimwhodoesnotlistentothevoiceofGod:Youshallbetrothawife,butanothermanshall
liewithherYoushallbuildahouse,butyoushallnotdwellinit.Youshallplantvineyardsand
tendthem,butyoushallneitherdrinkofthewinenorgatherthegrapesforthewormsshalleat
them
Quoting this statement, as well as others in the Holy Book, St Jerome demonstrates that
nothinginthisworldwilleversatisfythedepthsofman,saying:[Weshouldnotseekthelustsof
wealth and possessions for, according to the wise Solomon: He who loves silver will not be
satisfiedwithsilver(Ecclesiastes5:10)andThepeoplewillcursehimwhowithholdsgrainbut
blessingwillbeontheheadofhimwhosellsit(Proverb11:26).InIsaiahitcame:Woetothose
whojoinhousetohouse,whoaddfieldtofield,tillthereisnoplacewheretheymaydwellalonein
themidstoftheland(Isaiah5:8).AndinZephaniah: Theywillbuildhouses,buttheywillnot
inhabit them They shall plant vineyards, but not drink their wine. The great day of the Lord is
near(Zephaniah1:13,14).AndinthegospelaccordingtoSt.Luke:Forwhatadvantageisitto
amanifhegainsthewholeworld,andishimselfdestroyedorlost(Luke9:25).
+Concerningthatday,prophetAmossays:WoetoyouwhodesirethedayoftheLord!For
what good is the day of the Lord to you? It will be darkness and not light (Amos 518). And
prophet Zephaniah says: The noise of the day of the Lord is bitter The day is a day of wrath
(Zephaniah1:14,15).Thatiswhytherepentantzealouslyasksinhisprayer,nottobejudgedon
thatdayforhisdeeds.Whatwouldbeofmorebenefitforhim,hewhohaslittlehopeforbecoming
worthybecauseofhisiniquities,thantoprayforthefatherly loveofGod,while he isstillinthis
world,wherethereisstillachanceforrepentance?
(Cassiodorus)
+Thereisakindoflightthatcanbesensed,thatwhichcame,accordingtoMoses,onthe
fourthdayofcreationYetitisnotthetruelightasitisonly givinglighttothingsonthisearth.
The Savior, on the other hand, is the spiritual light of the world, shining on the rational and the
thoughtful,fortheirmindstoseefittingvisions.Imeanthatlightoftherationalsoulsinthesensed
world,ofwhich we are toldby the Savior, whocreated it. It is the sunof the great day of the
Lord.
Origen
THEGREATDAYOFTHELORD:
ThegreatdayoftheLordisnearItisnearandhasteningfast..Thesoundofthedayof
theLordisbitter.There,themightymenshallcryout(Zephaniah1:14)
HeretheprophetpresentsawarningtoJudahandJerusalem,aboutthedestructionthatwill
occuronthehandsoftheBabylonians.YetitisnotthedayoftheBabylonians,butitisThegreat
dayoftheLord.AsthisdestructionisactuallyallowedbytheLordtochastenthem.
Theprophetconfirmsthat,becausethedayofchastisementisnearandhasteningfastthere
isnotimeforslothfulnessorpostponing.Here,whileprophesyingtheday,whenJudahwillfallinto
captivity,asthegreatdayoftheLordheisalsoprophesyingthegreatDayofJudgment,whenall
mankindwillstandbeforetheLord.
Theyareveryconciseandrepetitivecriesbecausethedangerisveryeminentthetimeis
veryshortandthere is noplace forargument.Itislike someoneseeing his family inahouseon
firecryingoutandcallingeveryonetohastentoescapethroughthenearestexit,ortojumpfrom
thenearestwindow.AndasitissaidbyprophetAmos:TheLordroarsfromZion,anduttersHis
voice from Jerusalem Thepasturesof the shepherds mourn,and the topof the Carmel withers
(Amos1:2).

11
 ThatdaystartedbythedeathofthegoodkingJosiah,whowaskilledbythePharaohNecho
in the battle of Megiddo And was consummated by the desolation of Jerusalem on the hand of
NebuchadnezarofBabylon.
While the gold and silver of the world will not save us inthe great day of the LordThe
wealthofthebeliever isthedivinecommandmentWhoever keeps it,willbe keptby itfromthe
divinewrath.Thecommandmentisatreasureweacquirethroughtheworkofthedivinegraceby
carryingtherighteousnessofChrist.
The day is a day of wrath, A day of trouble and distress A day of devastation and
desolationAdayofdarknessandgloominessAdayofcloudsandthickdarkness (Zephaniah1:
15)
Thegreatdayofthelordisajoyfulweddingdayforthebelieverswhowerepreparedforit
through the exalted riches of Gods grace And a day of wrath, trouble, distress, devastation,
desolation,darkness,andgloominess,forthosewhowerenotreadyforit,byhavingthelivingfaith,
workingwithlove.
The human languages are not helping the prophet to portray the extent of desolation that
would come over Judah. It is an extremely horrible portray of the divine wrath, when everyone
findshimselfasthoughinanutterdarkness,withnoinsighttofindawayforsalvation,nortooffer
a useful counsel. It is a day of dense clouds and thick darkness, which no one can oppose or
confront.
A day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high towers
(Zephaniah1:16)
What stronghold or fortified city can ever confront the wrath of God When those who
assumetobesecureinthem,cometohearthe soundofwartrumpetsandthecriesofthemighty
warriors,Whentheirstrengthandspiritcollapse.
I will bring distress upon men, And they shall walk like blind men, because they have
sinned against the Lord. Their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like refuse
(Zephaniah1:17)
TheevildoersinthegreatdayoftheLord,whowalkinevil,opposethetruth,andnotlisten
tothevoiceandthecommandmentoftheLord,willbelikeblindmen,unabletoenjoythesplendor
ofthegloryofGodAlwaysindoubtandindanger,theywillvainlyseekawayofescapeTheywill
seeGodasamightyJudgeandnotasaheavenlyGroomwhograntsHispeoplethefellowshipof
glorywithHim.
All they can see and perceive is the sword striking them, their blood pouring, and their
bodiesfallingbeneaththefeetoftheenemyThereisonetohealawound,ortohaulacorpsefrom
thedust.
Neither their silvernor theirgold shallbeable todeliver them inthedayof the Lords
wrathButthewholelandshallbedevouredbythefireofHisjealousy,ForHewillmakespeedy
riddanceofallthosewhodwellintheland(Zephaniah1:18)
Having kindled the fire of divine jealousy by their rebellion, abominationsand opposition
againstGod,desolationwillcomeoveralltheearth.Therewillbenoplaceforanyonetohideorto
escape. Here silver or gold that they have unjustly acquired, will not be able to protect them as
according to the wordsof Solomon: Riches donotprofit in thedayof wrath But righteousness
deliversfromdeath(Proverbs11:4).
+Iwonderhowthosewhofoolishlycarrysuchheavyloadsofjewelry,donotworryabout
death!Therichmanfillinghisstorehousessaystohimself:Youhavemanygoodslaidupfor
manyyears,takeyourease,eat,drink,andbemerry.ButtohearGodsvoicesayingtohim:You
fool,Thisnight,yoursoulwillberequiredofyouThenwhosewillthosethingsbewhichyouhave
provided? (Luke 12: 19, 20). It is fitting for the women who minister to Christ, to adorn
themselves,notwithgold,butwiththeWord,throughwhich,alone,theglitterofgoldwillshine.
(St.ClementofAlexandria)
+Letusdemonstratetheperfectionofobedience,inspiredinusthroughouranticipationof
Hiscoming.Iwishwepersistentlystriveandwatchwithourwholeheartsuptotheend.Iwishwe

12
keep the commandment of the Lord that, on the great day of the Lord, the day of wrath and
vengeance, we would not be punished together with the sinners and evildoers but would be
honoredtogetherwiththerighteousandthosewhofeartheLord.
(Cyprian,themartyr)
ANINSPIRATIONFROMTHEBOOKOFZEPHANIAH
(Chapter1)
LETYOURGREATDAYCOME

+Ioftenwonder:whenwillthegreatdayoftheLordcome?
Thewickedassumesthatallthedaysarehis,andactsaccordingly!
Whereastherighteousmoans,anticipatingthecomingofYourgreatday.

+YoupromisedthatYouarecomingsoon
TochastenmebyYourmerciesbeforeYoucomeontheclouds.
IcantfleefromYouButfleetoYou.
YouaremyrefugeinwhomIresort,sothatthewrathwouldnotbefallonme.
IfIascendtoheaven,Youarethere
AndIfIgodowntotheabyss,there,IwillfindYou!
IfleetoYou,OheavenlyFather
TakeawayfrommeeverythingearthlybyYour fierySpirit
TobecomeforYouasecondheaven,towardwhichdestructioncannotapproach.

+LetYourgreatdaycomenow!
AsIknowthatYouwilldestroyeveryevilthinginme
AndwillcovermewithYourrighteousnessandholiness.

+IanticipatethecomingofYourultimategreatday.
IbeholdYouasthesplendidGroom,andnotasthefearsomeJudge.
IbeholdYoureyesastwodovesWhereastheevildoersseethemasflaringfire.
ThedayofYourcomingisadayoflightandsplendor.
Andnotadayofdarknessandgloom
Yourcomingistheperpetualdesireofmyheart
Andnotadayofwrath,distress,devastation,anddesolation
Comeontheclouds
CarrymewithYouToenterwithYouintothebosomofGodtheFather.

13
 CHAPTER2

THEJUDGMENTOFTHENATIONS
Inthefirstchapter,theLordconfirmsthatHefirmlychastensHispeople,becauseHedoes
not accept any fellowship with evil. Yet, though He used Assyria, then Babylon to chasten His
peopleIsraelandJudah,yetifthosenationsgloat,orbearaspiritofhatredagainstthem,Hewill
alsojudgethem.
Presentingahorribledescriptionofthejudgmentofthosenations,theprophetdoesnotmeanformankindtofallintodespair,but
tobedrawntoGod,thesourceoftheirlife, peace,andhappiness.Hecallsonthemtoreevaluatetheirlife,goals,andintentions
andtogetterrified,notfromGod,butfromsin.
InHisjudgmentofthenations,chasteningthemfirmlyfortheirgloatingagainsthispeople,
fallenunderchastisement,GodseemsasthoughHeistheirenemy.Yetinthelightofthebookasa
whole when He proclaims His rejoice over the return of the nations to God, It will be clear that
Godisnottheirenemy,butanenemyagainsttheirattitudeThatHeisnotavengingagainstthem,
butavengingagainsttheevilthatpossessedthem.
1CallingonHispeopletoseekrighteousness13
2JudgmentofPalestine47
3JudgmentofMoabandAmmon8 11
4JudgmentofCush12
5JudgmentofAssyria13 15

CALLINGONHISPEOPLETOSEEKRIGHTEOUSNESS:
BeforestartingtojudgethenationsgloatingagainstHispeople,fallenunderchastisement,
GodrequestsfromHispeopletorepent,andseekrighteousnessandhumility,inorderthatHewill
coverthem,andrestoretheirglory.HewouldnotjudgethosewhogloatagainstHispeople,unless
thelaterpresentatruerepentance.
Gathertogether,yes,gather,Oshamelessnation(Zephaniah2:1)
Hecallsonthisnation,thatcountedherselfasthepeopleofGod,privilegedaboveallthe
othernationsandpeoples,toreevaluateherposition.Hecallsthem,ashamelessnationnamely,
onethat have nothingtojustify herbeforeHim. HecallsonhertogathertogetherAsoneofthe
seriousfruitsofsin,isthelossofacommongoalasithasbeeninthedarkperiodofthejudges:In
thosedaystherewasnokinginIsraeleveryonedidwhatwasrightinhisowneyes(Judges21:
25).
Sin makes man like chaff thathas no place to settle downand scatters the whole society
likeastorm.Whereastheworkoftruerepentance,istobringmandowntohisdepths,tolook,by
the spirit of truth, into his heart, mind, feelings, intentions, and will and to be attached to God,
throughconnectingtohisbrethrenbythespiritofunityandnotbymerephysicalgatheringforall
tohaveonespiritandonethought.
Thiscallforgatheringtogether,isprobablymeanttoleteveryonereevaluatehisaccounts
inordertopresentacollectiverepentance,toavoidtheshame,andtosparethemselvesfallingunder
thedivineanger,bythespiritofprayer,humility,andwishtoreturntoHim.
BeforethedecreeisissuedBeforethedaypasseslikechaffBeforethedayoftheLords
fierceangercomesuponyouBeforethedayofthelordsangercomesuponyou(Zephaniah2:2)
IfHispeoplehavefallenunderchastisementYet,Hewarnsthem,thatunlesstheyreturnto
Him,theywillfallunderthedivineanger,inthedayoftheLordsanger.
Sincorruptsthelifeofmen,turningthemintochaff,andnotwheat,thatwouldbescattered,
as though by a storm,by any attack of an enemy. Whereas repentance wouldotherwise turn this
chaffintowheat,thatthewindwouldnotscatter,butgettingridofchaffthentheygathertogether.
HecallsonthemtojealouslyhastentorepentastheDayofJudgmentnamelythedayof
chastisement,drawsverynear.Whenthatdaydwells,thewindofdivineangerwillcome,andthe
wickedwillfindnochancetofleeTheywillturnintochaffbeforethewindaccordingtothewords
ofthePsalmist:Theungodlyarelikethechaffwhichthewinddrivesaway(Psalm1:4)Andas
14
theLordsaysabouttheungodlypeopleofEphraim:Theyshallbelikethemorningcloud,andlike
theearlydewthatpassesaway,likechaffblownofffromathreshingfloor,andlikesmokefroma
chimney(Hosea13:3).
TheungodlywouldthereforefindnoplaceforcomfortTheywouldneithersettledownon
earth,norreachheavenTheywouldbelikechaffthatthewindscattertoeverydirection.
St. Augustine compares between the meek and the ungodly About the meek, it is said:
Blessedarethemeek,fortheyshallinherittheearth (Matthew5:5)Whereastheungodlyare
likechaffwhichthewinddrivesaway(Psalm1:4).Pridewouldblowuptheungodly,tobecome
perpetuallydrivenawayfromthefaceoftheearth.
v Theungodlyarethechaffwhichthewinddrivesaway(Psalm1:4).TheHolyBooksays
thatawickedmanisanunhappymanHeisnotevenlikedust,thatmayseemvalueless,yetit
actuallyhasakindofexistenceinitself
SoistheungodlyAshedeniesGod,heisledbyvanity,towherethebreathofSatansends
him.
(St.Jerome)
v Letthembelikechaffbeforethewind,andlettheangeloftheLordchasethem(Psalm35:
5)Thewindisthetemptation,andthechaff(thedust)aretheungodly.Thedustwouldnot
standbeforethewind.
(St.Augustine)
SeektheLord,allyoumeekoftheearth,WhohaveupheldHisjustice.Seekrighteousness,
seekhumility,ItmaybethatyouwillbehiddeninthedayoftheLordsanger(Zephaniah2:3)
InHiscall,Hedoesnotintendforthemtoinvokethespiritofterrorintoeachother,butto
gather together to seek the Lord that He pours His grace upon them, have mercy on them, and
realize His promises to them He calls on them to gather together with the spirit of humility, as
someonesick,askstheheavenlyPhysiciantostretchHishandtohealandcurehim.ThatiswhyHe
callsthemAllyoumeekoftheearth.
HecallsonthemeekoftheearthtoseektheLordHimself,andtoaskHimtocoverthem
withrighteousnessandhumility,onthedayofHiswrath.Thereisnootherwaytoavoidthedivine
wrath, except by resorting to the Lord, by hiding in Him, and by enjoying righteousness and
humilitythatcoverstheirweaknesses,andturnthemintowheatinsteadofchaffbeforetheblowing
wind.
ThiscallwasalsoproclaimedbytheLordinthebookof Isaiah:Come Mypeople,enter
yourchambers,andshutyourdoorsbehindyou,Hideyourselfasitwere,foralittlemoment,until
theindignationispast.FortheLord,theLordcomesoutofHisplacetopunishtheinhabitantsof
theearthfortheiriniquity(Isaiah26:2021)AndinAmos:ForthussaystheLordtothehouse
ofIsrael:SeekMeandliveSeektheLordandlive,LestHebreakoutlikefireinthehouseof
Joseph,anddevourit,withnoonetoquenchitinBethel(Amos5:4,6).
Some believe that the talk here is addressed to the meek and the poor who fell under
oppression, because of the corruption that came over the land and the abuse by the rich and by
those in authority. But because the poor, themselves, partook of the corruption and the
abominations, the prophet calls on them to return to the Lord, and to seek His mercy through
repentanceinhumilityandwalkinginrighteousnessAstheoppressionthatbefallthemwouldnot
justifythemonthedayoftheLordswrath,unlesstheyreturntoHimwithalltheirhearts.
He probably also means by the meek here, the Jews, who, although they have crucified
ChristandblasphemedHimIftheyrecognizeandseekHimbythespiritofhumility,Hewillagain
embraceandkeepthemfromthewraththatcameuponthembecauseoftheirdenialaccordingto
thewordsoftheprophetIsaiah:SeektheLordwhileHemaybefoundCalluponHimwhileHeis
near(Isaiah55:6).
St.Cyprianseesinthecall:SeektheLord,aninvitationtoustoforsakeeverythingelse,
andtoseektheLord,HisKingdom,andrighteousnessThenallthesethingsshallbeaddedtous
accordingtothepromiseoftheLordChristHimself(Matthew6:3133).

15
v Aslongasthereisstilltime,lookforwardtotheeternaltruesalvationAndastheendofthe
worlddrawsnear,turn yourmindsbythe fearofGodtoHim.Dontrejoiceover yourvain
authority on the righteous and the meek But Seek the Lord and live (Amos 5: 6).
RecognizetheLord,even if it seemstoolate Believe in Him,whowouldneverdeceive
youBelieveinHim,whohastoldaboutthesethingsbeforehandBelieveinHim,who
willgranttheeternallifetothosewhobelieveBelieveinHim,who,bythefireofhell,will
punishthosewhodonotbelieve.
(Cyprian,themartyr)
Thus, we have no refuge from the Lords wrath, except by fleeing to Him, and hiding in
Him.
v BeforeseekingtheLord,wewereweakandburdenedButnow,havingourheartssettledon
Him,wearestrongandhavecourage.
(St.Jerome)
2.JUDGMENTOFPALESTINE:
For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon desolate: They shall drive out Ashdod at
noonday,AndEkronshallbeuprooted(Zephaniah2:4)
TheLordwillchastenthemaincitiesofPalestine:Gaza,Ashkelon,Ashdod,andEkronthat
tookprideintheirstrengthandprosperity.Gazeshallbeforsakenlikeabarrenwildernessandwas
almostutterlydestroyedbyAlexandertheGreatHenceitsHebrewname,Gazubah,whichhints
to(nonexistence)..Ekron,inHebrew,cameasEkronteeaker.AsforAshdodthatshallbedriven
outatnoondaythepeopleoftheeastusedtosleep,andevenstopmilitaryactionatnoonbecause
ofthehotweather(2Samuel4:5).
ItistobenoticedthatGath,thefifthfamouscityinPalestine,wasnotmentionedhere,as
itwasnotmentionedinAmos(1:6),Jeremiah25:20),Zechariah(9:56)becauseatthattime,it
wasunderJewishauthority.
Whatissaidhereaboutthosefourmaincities,referstowhatwouldbefalltheunrepentant
mannamely,tosufferisolationtobecomeforsaken,desolate,whereheisnotdweltbythedivine
righteousness, horrified, through living as a fugitive, though nobody is after him, and uprooted,
havingthesameendofthedevilhimself.
Thisisthedivinewarningtoeveryman,whochoosesforhimselftobeanopponentagainst
thedivinetruth,andtogivehisbacktoGod,theGrantoroflife,fulfillment,peace,andhappiness.
Hewouldmoan,togetherwithZion,which,assuminginherbitterness,thattheLordhasforsaken
andforgottenher(Isaiah49:14)says:ThereIwasleftalone(Isaiah49:21)Andwouldbecome
as is said by prophet Jeremiah: Every city shall be forsaken, and not a man shall dwell in it
(Jeremiah4:29)AndasissaidbyprophetIsaiah:Thentheywilllooktotheearth,andseetrouble
anddarkness,gloomofanguish,and they willbe driven intodarkness (Isaiah 9: 22) And as is
saidbythePsalmist:LettheirhabitationbedesolateLetnoonedwellintheirtents(Psalm69:
25)Oh,howtheyarebroughttodesolation,asinamoment!(Psalm73:19).Andasitcamein
theMaccabees:Hedidawaywithalltherenegadesandoutlaws(1Macc14:14).
v Howtheyarebroughttodesolation,asinamoment(Psalm73:19)Hemarvelsatthem,
realizingwhatwillcomeoverthemintheend.They,likesmoke,willeventuallyvanishasit
rises up Theyare utterlyconsumed Asadream whenoneawake (Psalm 73:20)
Likewhensomeonedreamsthathefoundatreasure,tofindoutthathehasgotnothingwhen
hegetsupSoaretheevildoers,theywillwakeuptorealizethemiserytheyhavepreparedfor
themselves.
(St.Augustine)
Evil destroys man and deprives him of every vitality, to become as though forsaken in
isolation,desolate,anduprootedGodallowsthat,touproottheevilinhim,andtoplanthimanew
Namely,torenewhislifeandhisnature,andtosetHisrighteousnessinhim,byHisHolySpiritas
issaidbythePsalmist:YoudroveoutthenationswithYourhand,ButthemYouplanted(Psalm
44:2).

16
 Woetotheinhabitantsoftheseacoast,thenationoftheChrethites!ThewordoftheLord
is against you, O Canaan of the Philistines I will destroy youSo there shallbeno inhabitant
(Zephaniah2:5)
By the seacoastHe means all the region on the Mediterranean Sea coast, fromEgypt to
JaffaandGaza.TheHebrewwordisCeroth,thatgivestheimpressionof(dugcisterns).
The seacoast shall be pastures, with shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks
(Zephaniah2:6)
Theseacoastthatusedtobeasaportforships,wouldturnintouninhabitedpastureswith
sheltersforshepherdsandfoldsforflocks.
Some believes that the Chrethites here refer to a congregation of Phoenician immigrants,
also mentioned in 1 Samuel 30:14, and Amos9: 7. Inthe Septuagint and the Syrian versions, it
cameasCrete.
The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah They shall feed their flocks
there In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the Lord their God will
interveneforthem,andreturntheircaptives(Zephaniah2:7)
HereheprophesiesthatthehouseofJudahshallrepossessAshkelonandthattheirremnants
returningfromcaptivityshallsettledownsecurelyinthehousesofAshkelon.
AlexandertheGreatdestroyedAskelonAndtheMaccabeesrealizedthepropheciesofthe
prophetsagainstit.Itutterlylostherauthority,andherinhabitantswereforcedtobecircumcised
namelytoturnJewish.
3.THEJUDGMENTOFMOABANDAMMON:
IhaveheardthereproachofMoab,andtherevilingsofthepeopleofAmmon,withwhich
theyhavereproachedMypeople,andmadearrogantthreatsagainsttheirborders(Zephaniah2:
8)
MoabandAmmonwereconnectedtogetherEachofthemwasanunlawfulsonofthefallen
Lot(Genesis19:3338).BothwerenotconsideredamongthepeopleofGoddeniedfaithinthe
LordChrist,anddonotenjoythenewspiritualbirth.
MoabandAmmonbothfellunderchastisement,becausetheyreproachedtheJewishpeople
duringtheirchastisement,blasphemedtheirGod,assumingthattheGodofIsraeldoesnotheartheir
reproach,andisunabletoopposethem.Although Hesays:IhaveheardthereproachofMoab,
and the revilings of Ammon Yet in His longsuffering, and in order to chasten His people. He
seemedasthoughHedoesnothear,
They madearrogant threatsagainst theirborders, and actually attacked the bordersof
Judah(Jeremiah48:2949:1)
Therefore,asIlive,SaystheLordofhost,theGodofIsrael,SurelyMoabshallbelike
Sodom, and the people of Ammon like Gomorrah overrun with weeds and saltpits and a
perpetualdesolationTheresidueofMypeopleshallplunderthemAndtheremnantofMypeople
shallpossessthem (Zephaniah2:9)
Moab and Ammon shall have the same destiny of Sodom and Gomorrah They will be
reducedtonothingTheir landwillbedesolatewith no inhabitantwillproduceweedsinsteadof
wheatAndtheirspringswillproducesaltwater.
This they shall have for their pride, because they have reproached and made arrogant
threatsagainstthepeopleoftheLordofhosts(Zephaniah2:10)
TheLordwillbeawesometothem,ForHewillreducetonothingallthegodsoftheearth
PeopleshallworshipHim,EachonefromhisplaceIndeedalltheshores(andislands)of
thenations(Zephaniah2:11)
Godconfirmsthat,althoughthereisnoanimosityinHisheartbetweenHimandanypeople
Yet the arrogant, the haughty, and the blasphemer will fall under his own pride, blaspheme, and
evil.AsforGod,Hewilldestroythe idols,andwillsetoutofevery nationapeopleforHimself
Every nation, and every man, will worship Him, each from his place. There will be no need for
themtogotoJerusalem,nortoworshipinthetempleofSolomon.

17
 GodwaspreparingHisoldpeopletoacceptthenotionthatthewholeearthwouldbecome
fortheLordandHisChrist.
SingtotheLord,youkingdomsoftheearthOh,singpraisestotheLord(Psalm68:32).
ThentheLordwillbeknowntoEgypt,andtheEgyptianswillknowtheLordinthatday,
andwillmakesacrificeandofferingYes,theywillmakeavowtotheLordandperformit(Isaiah
19:21)
Forfromtherisingofthesun,eventoitsgoingdown,Mynameshallbegreatamongthe
GentilesIneveryplaceincenseshallbeofferedtoMyname,andapureoffering( Malachi1:11)
Heisdemeaningthepagangodsshowingthemaswildbeasts,extremelyemaciatedbecause
oflackoffoodforanextendedtimebecausenomoresacrificesnorworshipareofferedtothemin
theirtemples.
v LetusnowlistentoaprophetprophesyingthatthetimewillcomewhentheworshipofGod
willnotbelimitedtooneplacethatallmankindwillgettoknowtheLordandthatpeople
shall worship Him, each one from his place Indeed all the shores (and islands) of the
nations(Zephaniah2:11LXX)ContrarytowhatprophetMoseshascommandedtheJews
toworshiptheLordinonlyoneplace.
v You heard how several prophets prophesied: that mankind will no longer be limited to
worshipGodinoneplaceThatpeoplewillnolongerhavetocomefromeverywhereonearth
toofferHimsacrificeinonlyonecityThateveryonewillbeallowedtostayandtominister
toGodinhisownhouseorland.Whatwouldbeamoreappropriatetimethan todayforthose
propheciestoberealized?
LetusnowseehowthegospelsandtheapostlePaulechothewordsofprophetZephaniah:
The prophet says: of all nations And the apostle says: For the grace of God that brings
salvationhasappearedtoallmen(Titus2:11).Zephaniahsays:reducetonothingallgodsof
theearth,andPaulsays:teachingusthat,denyingungodlinessandworldlylusts,weshouldlive
soberly,righteously,andgodlyinthepresentage(Titus2:12).
(St.JohnChrysostom)
+AsoneprophetproclaimedthatallthenationsoftheearthwillcometoworshipGodina
certainplaceTheGentilesshallcometoYoufromtheendsoftheearth(Jeremiah16:19)Itwas
proclaimedbyanotherprophet,saying:TheLordwillbeawesometothem,ForHewillreduceto
nothingallthegodsoftheearthPeoplewillworshipHim,eachonefromhisplaceIndeedallthe
shores(andislands)ofthenations(Zephaniah 2:11)..Allpeopleswillcometotheexaltedand
trueGodoftheChristians,notphysically,butbyfaith.
+TheywillcometoHimwithoutleavingtheirplaceAsbyfaith,theywillfindHimrightin
theirhearts.
+Foralongtime,thedevilshavekeptsilentintheirtemplesconcerningthethingsthatare
tocome,although it wasdefinitely knowntothemthroughthe sayingsoftheprophets.Butnow,
with the approach of events, the devils intended to proclaim them, lest they may look as though
ignorant or defeated Yet they stopped short of referring to certain issues that were already
proclaimed since long time, like those saidby prophetZephaniah: The Lord will beawesome to
them,ForHewillreducetonothingallthegodsoftheearthPeoplewillworshipHim,eachone
from his place Indeed all the shores (and islands) of the nations (Zephaniah 2: 11). Gods,
worshipped in the temples of the Gentiles, because they probably did not expect these events to
applytothemtheydidnotwishtocauseanyunwarranteddisturbancesamongtheirsoothsayers.
(St.Augustine)
+LetusnowtalkaboutthechurchesasIslands.TheHolyBooksaysinonelocation:Sing
totheLordanewsong,HispraisefromtheendoftheearthLetthesearoarandallthatfillsit,the
coastlands(theislands)andtheirinhabitants(Isaiah42:10).ProphetIsaiahsaysinthenameof
theLord,thatthesamewayislandsappearinthemiddleofthesea,churcheswillbeestablishedin
the middle of the world and will be struck by a multitude of waves of persecution. Although
mighty waves will be thrown on these islands every day, yet they will never be inundated with

18
waterIndeedtheyareinthemiddleoftheseaYettheirfoundationisChrist,whowillneverbe
shaken!
(St.Jerome)
+Despiteallthat,theywerenotyetabletoresetthetemplenortorepairthelocationwhere
they were allowed to practice their rites according to the law. The authority of Christ, that
established the church has destroyed that place. The prophet, although he proclaimed that Christ
willcome,YetHiscomingwouldonlybeafterthecaptivity.
(St.JohnChrysostom)
4.THEJUDGMENTOFCUSH:
YouEthiopiansalsoYoushallbeslainbyMysword (Zephaniah2:12)
Cush (Ethiopia) was submitted by Nebuchadnezar (Jeremiah 46: 910 Ezekiel 30 4). By
Mysword, theLordmeansNebuchadnezar,whomHeusedasatooltochastenthenations.
5.THEJUDGMENTOFASSYRIA:
AndHewillstretchoutHishandagainstthenorth,DestroyAssyria,andmakeNineveha
desolationasdryasthewildernessZephaniah2:13)
Theherdsshallliedowninhermidst,everywildanimal,thedesertowlandthescreech
shalllodgeonitscapitalstheowlshallhootatthewindowstheravencroakonthethresholdFor
thecedarworkwillbelaidbare(Zephaniah2:14)
Assyria will turnfrom being a great empire, fearedby all the nations of the world, into a
vastwildernesswhereeverykindofanimalwillliedownboththedomesticatedlikethesheep,and
the wild ones. It will turn into an open pasture, with no walls to protect it Its only law will be
perditionanddeath.Asforbirds,therewillbeonlytheowlstohoot,withtheirmourningvoicethat
bringssadnessanddistress.
With desolationand destruction, the windowsof the palaces will be wide open, andbirds
will stand on them to wail andlament. By the action of nature, the roofs of the palaces made of
cedarwood,asmarvelouspiecesofart,willbelaidbareoftheirsplendidbeauty.
If Nineveh, the symbol of the evil heart, that persists on not returning to the Lord, has
becomeadwellingplaceforowls,that keeponwailing andhootingThe spiritualJerusalem,the
symbol of the holy heart, on the other hand, shall become a dwelling place for the rejoicing
turtledoves: The voice of the turtledove is heard in our land (Song 2: 12). The portion of the
wickedwouldbedepressionanddespairwhereasthatoftherighteouswouldbejoyandhope.The
heartofthewickedwouldbearthepledgeofhellwhereasthatoftherighteouswouldbearthatof
thejoyfulandheavenly,eternalkingdom.
Assyria that captivated Israel, was known for her fierce violence in dealing with the
captivesHerkingsusedtofindpleasureincuttingofftheirbodymembers,especiallythoseofthe
richandnoble,whomtheymockinglyparadedbeforethemob.Assyriathatreferredtotheevilsoul,
filled with violence and abominations, has turned into a desolate wilderness, only dwelt by wild
beasts and owls Whereas the holy soul will become a joyful paradise planted with the trees of
virtue,wherethesweetvoiceofturtledovesisheard.
The followingare somecommentsbySt.Gregory,the BishopofNyssa,onwhatcame in
theSongofsongs2:12:
v Havingrebukedthewind,andsaidtothesea:Peace,bestill!,thewindceasedandthere
was a great calm (Mark 4: 39) Our life started to flourish like a garden adorned with
flowers, that represent the virtue in our life that bears fruit in its seasons. That is why the
WordofGodsays:Thewinterispast,Therainisoverandgone.Theflowersappearonthe
earth The time of singing has come, and the voiceof the turtledove is heard inour land
(Song2:11,12).
TheGroomsays:[Behold,thepasturesareadornedwiththeflowersofvirtue!Do yousee
thatpurityinthebeautyoftheNarcis?Doyouseetherosesofhumility,andthevioletthatrepresent
thesweetaromaoftheLordChrist?Whydontyoumakeacrownforyourselfoftheseflowers.Itis
theproperseason,astestifiedbythevoiceoftheturtledovethatislikethatvoiceofonecryingin
the wilderness (Matthew 3: 3) John the Baptist is the turtledove who precedes that wonderful

19
spring which provides such magnificent flowers for everyone who wish to gather. He is the one
whotellsusabout:theRodthatshallcomeforthfromthestemofJesse(Isaiah11:1)andThe
LambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld(John1:29).Heistheonewhodemonstratesto
ustherepentancefromsin,andthelifeaccordingtovirtue.Accordingtotheholytext:Thevoice
oftheturtledoveisheardinourland totellusthatthosewhohaverespondedtothevoiceofJohn
theBaptist,werethosecalledbythegospel,thetaxcollectorsandthesinnerswhiletherestofthe
peoplegavenoheedtohispreaching.
(St.GregoryofNyssa)
Thisistherejoicingcity,thatdweltsecurely,thatsaidinherheart,Iamit,andthereis
nonebesideme.Howhasshebecomeadesolation,aplaceforbeaststoliedown!Everyonewho
passesbyhershallhissandshakehisfist(Zephaniah2:15)
Ninevehthathasbeenarejoicingcity,thateveryonelongedtoseewithacircumferenceof
100miles,withwalls100feethigh,onwhichthreechariotscouldrunsidebysideandonwhich
therewere1500watchingtowershasbecomeadesolation,evenalmostimpossibletolocate!
Inhaughtiness,Nineveh,likeBabylonlateron,aswellasotherhaughtycities,assumedthat
itisthemistressofthewholeworld.TheLordGodinthebookofIsaiahsays:Thereforehearthis
now,youwhoaregiventopleasureswhodwellsecurelywhosayinyourheart,Iam,andthereis
nooneelsebesidemeIshallnotsitasawidow,norshallIknowthelossofchildrenButthese
twothingsshallcometoyouinamoment,inoneday:thelossofchildren,andwidowhood.They
shallcomeuponyouinfullness,becauseofthemultitudeofyoursorceries(Isaiah47:89).
ThecityofNinevehrepresentsthesoul,whichisproudofherself,andsatisfiedwithherself,
andnotwithGodwhichenjoyshertimeintheworld,thinkingthatsheisinpeaceandsecurity,and
noonecanevercomeinherway.
ANINSPIRATIONFROMTHEBOOKOFZEPHANIAH
(CHAPTER2)
DESTROYMYWICKEDNESS,ANDSETYOURRIGHTEOUSNESSINME
+LetmysouljoinallthesoulsofYourpeople
LetusgathertogetherbyYour HolySpirit
LetHimexposebeforemyeyes,mydaringandarrogance
LetHimconsumeeveryevilinsidemeandinmybehavior,
LetHimgrantmeYourrighteousness,tocoverupmydepths.

+Sinmademelikechaffbeforethewind
IcannotstandbeforeYour wrath
WhowouldbejustifiedbeforeYou,OHolyOne?
YourfierySpiritwillrenewmynature.
Willturnmefromchaffintoholywheat!

+ToYou,Ishallflee.OmySavior
Youwilltakeawaymymisery,andgrantmeYourmercy
Insteadofmyhaughtiness,YouwillgrantmeYourmeeknessandhumility.
YouaremystrongholdInYou,Ishallhide,tocoverupmyweakness.

+Takeawayfrominsidemeeverytraceofidolatry.
Destroyeverysilverimage,thatIfoolishlyhavesetformyself.
Occupymywholeheartandbeing.
BecausewithoutYou,mysoulwouldfeelforsaken,deserted,anddesolate.
WithoutYou,everylifeinmewouldbeuprooted.
Enterintomydepths,tosetYourheavenlyKingdom.
Then,Ishallnolongerbeabarrenpastureofsheep.
Inme,thevoiceofaturtledove,willbeheard,singingandpraisingYourname.
Noowl,oranyotherscreechingbird,willfindaplaceinme.

20
 Nomourningnoise,butjoyandrejoice.

+Transfigureinme,withthesplendorofYourglory.
Todriveawayfrommeeverypride andhaughtiness.
Letmejudgenoonebutmyself.
Letmenotgloatforthoseunderchastisement.
AsIamworthyofeverypunishment,evenofdeath.

+Bycomingintomydepths,Youwillopenupmyinsight.
IbeholdYou,theSaviorofthewholeworld.
Ibeholdallnationsandpeoples,rejectingeveryidol,
AndgatheredaroundYouinavictoriousprocession.
ThedefilednationsbecameforYouaholybride.
Theadversarynations,becamethesubjectofYourpleasure.
Yourheavensrejoiceoverhumanity,sanctifiedinYou.

CHAPTER2

THEJUDGMENTOFTHENATIONS
Inthefirstchapter,theLordconfirmsthatHefirmlychastensHispeople,becauseHedoes
not accept any fellowship with evil. Yet, though He used Assyria, then Babylon to chasten His
peopleIsraelandJudah,yetifthosenationsgloat,orbearaspiritofhatredagainstthem,Hewill
alsojudgethem.
Presentingahorribledescriptionofthejudgmentofthosenations,theprophetdoesnotmeanformankindtofallintodespair,but
tobedrawntoGod,thesourceoftheirlife,peace,andhappiness.Hecallsonthemtoreevaluatetheirlife,goals,andintentions
andtogetterrified,notfromGod,butfromsin.
InHisjudgmentofthenations,chasteningthemfirmlyfortheirgloatingagainsthispeople,
fallenunderchastisement,GodseemsasthoughHeistheirenemy.Yetinthelightofthebookasa
whole when He proclaims His rejoice over the return of the nations to God, It will be clear that
Godisnottheirenemy,butanenemyagainsttheirattitudeThatHeisnotavengingagainstthem,
butavengingagainsttheevilthatpossessedthem.
1CallingonHispeopletoseekrighteousness13
2JudgmentofPalestine47
3JudgmentofMoabandAmmon8 11
4JudgmentofCush12
5JudgmentofAssyria13 15

CALLINGONHISPEOPLETOSEEKRIGHTEOUSNESS:
BeforestartingtojudgethenationsgloatingagainstHispeople,fallenunderchastisement,
GodrequestsfromHispeopletorepent,andseekrighteousnessandhumility,inorderthatHewill
coverthem,andrestoretheirglory.HewouldnotjudgethosewhogloatagainstHispeople,unless
thelaterpresentatruerepentance.
Gathertogether,yes,gather,Oshamelessnation(Zephaniah2:1)
Hecallsonthisnation,thatcountedherselfasthepeopleofGod,privilegedaboveallthe
othernationsandpeoples,toreevaluateherposition.Hecallsthem,ashamelessnationnamely,
onethat have nothingtojustify herbeforeHim. HecallsonhertogathertogetherAsoneofthe
seriousfruitsofsin,isthelossofacommongoalasithasbeeninthedarkperiodofthejudges:In
thosedaystherewasnokinginIsraeleveryonedidwhatwasrightinhisowneyes(Judges21:
25).
21
 Sin makes man like chaff thathas no place to settle downand scatters the whole society
likeastorm.Whereastheworkoftruerepentance,istobringmandowntohisdepths,tolook,by
the spirit of truth, into his heart, mind, feelings, intentions, and will and to be attached to God,
throughconnectingtohisbrethrenbythespiritofunityandnotbymerephysicalgatheringforall
tohaveonespiritandonethought.
Thiscallforgatheringtogether,isprobablymeanttoleteveryonereevaluatehisaccounts
inordertopresentacollectiverepentance,toavoidtheshame,andtosparethemselvesfallingunder
thedivineanger,bythespiritofprayer,humility,andwishtoreturntoHim.
BeforethedecreeisissuedBeforethedaypasseslikechaffBeforethedayoftheLords
fierceangercomesuponyouBeforethedayofthelordsangercomesuponyou(Zephaniah2:2)
IfHispeoplehavefallenunderchastisementYet,Hewarnsthem,thatunlesstheyreturnto
Him,theywillfallunderthedivineanger,inthedayoftheLordsanger.
Sincorruptsthelifeofmen,turningthemintochaff,andnotwheat,thatwouldbescattered,
as though by a storm,by any attack of an enemy. Whereas repentance wouldotherwise turn this
chaffintowheat,thatthewindwouldnotscatter,butgettingridofchaffthentheygathertogether.
HecallsonthemtojealouslyhastentorepentastheDayofJudgmentnamelythedayof
chastisement,drawsverynear.Whenthatdaydwells,thewindofdivineangerwillcome,andthe
wickedwillfindnochancetofleeTheywillturnintochaffbeforethewindaccordingtothewords
ofthePsalmist:Theungodlyarelikethechaffwhichthewinddrivesaway(Psalm1:4)Andas
theLordsaysabouttheungodlypeopleofEphraim:Theyshallbelikethemorningcloud,andlike
theearlydewthatpassesaway,likechaffblownofffromathreshingfloor,andlikesmokefroma
chimney(Hosea13:3).
TheungodlywouldthereforefindnoplaceforcomfortTheywouldneithersettledownon
earth,norreachheavenTheywouldbelikechaffthatthewindscattertoeverydirection.
St. Augustine compares between the meek and the ungodly About the meek, it is said:
Blessedarethemeek,fortheyshallinherittheearth (Matthew5:5)Whereastheungodlyare
likechaffwhichthewinddrivesaway(Psalm1:4).Pridewouldblowuptheungodly,tobecome
perpetuallydrivenawayfromthefaceoftheearth.
v Theungodlyarethechaffwhichthewinddrivesaway(Psalm1:4).TheHolyBooksays
thatawickedmanisanunhappymanHeisnotevenlikedust,thatmayseemvalueless,yetit
actuallyhasakindofexistenceinitself
SoistheungodlyAshedeniesGod,heisledbyvanity,towherethebreathofSatansends
him.
(St.Jerome)
v Letthembelikechaffbeforethewind,andlettheangeloftheLordchasethem(Psalm35:
5)Thewindisthetemptation,andthechaff(thedust)aretheungodly.Thedustwouldnot
standbeforethewind.
(St.Augustine)
SeektheLord,allyoumeekoftheearth,WhohaveupheldHisjustice.Seekrighteousness,
seekhumility,ItmaybethatyouwillbehiddeninthedayoftheLordsanger(Zephaniah2:3)
InHiscall,Hedoesnotintendforthemtoinvokethespiritofterrorintoeachother,butto
gather together to seek the Lord that He pours His grace upon them, have mercy on them, and
realize His promises to them He calls on them to gather together with the spirit of humility, as
someonesick,askstheheavenlyPhysiciantostretchHishandtohealandcurehim.ThatiswhyHe
callsthemAllyoumeekoftheearth.
HecallsonthemeekoftheearthtoseektheLordHimself,andtoaskHimtocoverthem
withrighteousnessandhumility,onthedayofHiswrath.Thereisnootherwaytoavoidthedivine
wrath, except by resorting to the Lord, by hiding in Him, and by enjoying righteousness and
humilitythatcoverstheirweaknesses,andturnthemintowheatinsteadofchaffbeforetheblowing
wind.
ThiscallwasalsoproclaimedbytheLordinthebookof Isaiah:Come Mypeople,enter
yourchambers,andshutyourdoorsbehindyou,Hideyourselfasitwere,foralittlemoment,until

22
theindignationispast.FortheLord,theLordcomesoutofHisplacetopunishtheinhabitantsof
theearthfortheiriniquity(Isaiah26:2021)AndinAmos:ForthussaystheLordtothehouse
ofIsrael:SeekMeandliveSeektheLordandlive,LestHebreakoutlikefireinthehouseof
Joseph,anddevourit,withnoonetoquenchitinBethel(Amos5:4,6).
Some believe that the talk here is addressed to the meek and the poor who fell under
oppression, because of the corruption that came over the land and the abuse by the rich and by
those in authority. But because the poor, themselves, partook of the corruption and the
abominations, the prophet calls on them to return to the Lord, and to seek His mercy through
repentanceinhumilityandwalkinginrighteousnessAstheoppressionthatbefallthemwouldnot
justifythemontheday oftheLordswrath,unlesstheyreturntoHimwithalltheirhearts.
He probably also means by the meek here, the Jews, who, although they have crucified
ChristandblasphemedHimIftheyrecognizeandseekHimbythespiritofhumility,Hewillagain
embraceandkeepthemfromthewraththatcameuponthembecauseoftheirdenialaccordingto
thewordsoftheprophetIsaiah:SeektheLordwhileHemaybefoundCalluponHimwhileHeis
near(Isaiah55:6).
St.Cyprianseesinthecall:SeektheLord,aninvitationtoustoforsakeeverythingelse,
andtoseektheLord,HisKingdom,andrighteousnessThenallthesethingsshallbeaddedtous
accordingtothepromiseoftheLordChristHimself(Matthew6:3133).
v Aslongasthereisstilltime,lookforwardtotheeternaltruesalvationAndastheendofthe
worlddrawsnear,turn yourmindsbythe fearofGodtoHim.Dontrejoiceover yourvain
authority on the righteous and the meek But Seek the Lord and live (Amos 5: 6).
RecognizetheLord,even if it seemstoolate Believe in Him,whowouldneverdeceive
youBelieveinHim,whohastoldaboutthesethingsbeforehandBelieveinHim,who
willgranttheeternallifetothosewhobelieveBelieveinHim,who,bythefireofhell,will
punishthosewhodonotbelieve.
(Cyprian,themartyr)
Thus, we have no refuge from the Lords wrath, except by fleeing to Him, and hiding in
Him.
v BeforeseekingtheLord,wewereweakandburdenedButnow,havingourheartssettledon
Him,wearestrongandhavecourage.
(St.Jerome)
2.JUDGMENTOFPALESTINE:
For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon desolate: They shall drive out Ashdod at
noonday,AndEkronshallbeuprooted(Zephaniah2:4)
TheLordwillchastenthemaincitiesofPalestine:Gaza,Ashkelon,Ashdod,andEkronthat
tookprideintheirstrengthandprosperity.Gazeshallbeforsakenlikeabarrenwildernessandwas
almostutterlydestroyedbyAlexandertheGreatHenceitsHebrewname,Gazubah,whichhints
to(nonexistence)..Ekron,inHebrew,cameasEkronteeaker.AsforAshdodthatshallbedriven
outatnoondaythepeopleoftheeastusedtosleep,andevenstopmilitaryactionatnoonbecause
ofthehotweather(2Samuel4:5).
ItistobenoticedthatGath,thefifthfamouscityinPalestine,wasnotmentionedhere,as
itwasnotmentionedinAmos(1:6),Jeremiah25:20),Zechariah(9:56)becauseatthattime,it
wasunderJewishauthority.
Whatissaidhereaboutthosefourmaincities,referstowhatwouldbefalltheunrepentant
mannamely,tosufferisolationtobecomeforsaken,desolate,whereheisnotdweltbythedivine
righteousness, horrified, through living as a fugitive, though nobody is after him, and uprooted,
havingthesameendofthedevilhimself.
Thisisthedivinewarningtoeveryman,whochoosesforhimselftobeanopponentagainst
thedivinetruth,andtogivehisbacktoGod,theGrantoroflife,fulfillment,peace,andhappiness.
Hewouldmoan,togetherwithZion,which,assuminginherbitterness,thattheLordhasforsaken
andforgottenher(Isaiah49:14)says:ThereIwasleftalone(Isaiah49:21)Andwouldbecome
as is said by prophet Jeremiah: Every city shall be forsaken, and not a man shall dwell in it

23
(Jeremiah4:29)AndasissaidbyprophetIsaiah:Thentheywilllooktotheearth,andseetrouble
anddarkness,gloomofanguish,and they willbe driven intodarkness (Isaiah 9: 22) And as is
saidbythePsalmist:LettheirhabitationbedesolateLetnoonedwellintheirtents(Psalm69:
25)Oh,howtheyarebroughttodesolation,asinamoment!(Psalm73:19).Andasitcamein
theMaccabees:Hedidawaywithalltherenegadesandoutlaws(1Macc14:14).
v Howtheyarebroughttodesolation,asinamoment(Psalm73:19)Hemarvelsatthem,
realizingwhatwillcomeoverthemintheend.They,likesmoke,willeventuallyvanishasit
rises up Theyare utterlyconsumed Asadream whenoneawake (Psalm 73:20)
Likewhensomeonedreamsthathefoundatreasure,tofindoutthathehasgotnothingwhen
hegetsupSoaretheevildoers,theywillwakeuptorealizethemiserytheyhavepreparedfor
themselves.
(St.Augustine)
Evil destroys man and deprives him of every vitality, to become as though forsaken in
isolation,desolate,anduprootedGodallowsthat,touproottheevilinhim,andtoplanthimanew
Namely,torenewhislifeandhisnature,andtosetHisrighteousnessinhim,byHisHolySpiritas
issaidbythePsalmist:YoudroveoutthenationswithYourhand,ButthemYouplanted(Psalm
44:2).
Woetotheinhabitantsoftheseacoast,thenationoftheChrethites!ThewordoftheLord
is against you, O Canaan of the Philistines I will destroy youSo there shallbeno inhabitant
(Zephaniah 2:5)
By the seacoastHe means all the region on the Mediterranean Sea coast, fromEgypt to
JaffaandGaza.TheHebrewwordisCeroth,thatgivestheimpressionof(dugcisterns).
The seacoast shall be pastures, with shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks
(Zephaniah2:6)
Theseacoastthatusedtobeasaportforships,wouldturnintouninhabitedpastureswith
sheltersforshepherdsandfoldsforflocks.
Some believes that the Chrethites here refer to a congregation of Phoenician immigrants,
also mentioned in 1 Samuel 30:14, and Amos9: 7. In the Septuagint andthe Syrian versions, it
cameasCrete.
The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah They shall feed their flocks
there In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the Lord their God will
interveneforthem,andreturntheircaptives(Zephaniah2:7)
HereheprophesiesthatthehouseofJudahshallrepossessAshkelonandthattheirremnants
returningfromcaptivityshallsettledownsecurelyinthehousesofAshkelon.
AlexandertheGreatdestroyedAskelonAndtheMaccabeesrealizedthepropheciesofthe
prophetsagainstit.Itutterlylostherauthority,andherinhabitantswereforcedtobecircumcised
namelytoturnJewish.
3.THEJUDGMENTOFMOABANDAMMON:
IhaveheardthereproachofMoab,andtherevilingsofthepeopleofAmmon,withwhich
theyhavereproachedMypeople,andmadearrogantthreatsagainsttheirborders(Zephaniah2:
8)
MoabandAmmonwereconnectedtogetherEachofthemwasanunlawfulsonofthefallen
Lot(Genesis19:3338).BothwerenotconsideredamongthepeopleofGoddeniedfaithinthe
LordChrist,anddonotenjoythenewspiritualbirth.
MoabandAmmonbothfellunderchastisement,becausetheyreproachedtheJewishpeople
duringtheirchastisement,blasphemedtheirGod,assumingthattheGodofIsraeldoesnotheartheir
reproach,andisunabletoopposethem.Although Hesays:IhaveheardthereproachofMoab,
and the revilings of Ammon Yet in His longsuffering, and in order to chasten His people. He
seemedasthoughHedoesnothear,
They madearrogant threatsagainst theirborders, and actually attacked the bordersof
Judah(Jeremiah48:2949:1)

24
 Therefore,asIlive,SaystheLordofhost,theGodofIsrael,SurelyMoabshallbelike
Sodom, and the people of Ammon like Gomorrah overrun with weeds and saltpits and a
perpetualdesolationTheresidueofMypeopleshallplunderthemAndtheremnantofMypeople
shallpossessthem (Zephaniah2:9)
Moab and Ammon shall have the same destiny of Sodom and Gomorrah They will be
reducedtonothingTheir landwillbedesolatewith no inhabitantwillproduceweedsinsteadof
wheatAndtheirspringswillproducesaltwater.
This they shall have for their pride, because they have reproached and made arrogant
threatsagainstthepeopleoftheLordofhosts(Zephaniah2:10)
TheLordwillbeawesometothem,ForHewillreducetonothingallthegodsoftheearth
PeopleshallworshipHim,EachonefromhisplaceIndeedalltheshores(andislands)of
thenations(Zephaniah2:11)
Godconfirmsthat,althoughthereisnoanimosityinHisheartbetweenHimandanypeople
Yet the arrogant, the haughty, and the blasphemer will fall under his own pride,blaspheme, and
evil.AsforGod,Hewilldestroythe idols,andwillsetoutofevery nationapeopleforHimself
Every nation, and every man, will worship Him, each from his place. There will be no need for
themtogotoJerusalem,nortoworshipinthetempleofSolomon.
GodwaspreparingHisoldpeopletoacceptthenotionthatthewholeearthwouldbecome
fortheLordandHisChrist.
SingtotheLord,youkingdomsoftheearthOh,singpraisestotheLord(Psalm68:32).
ThentheLordwillbeknowntoEgypt,andtheEgyptianswillknowtheLordinthatday,
andwillmakesacrificeandofferingYes,theywillmakeavowtotheLordandperformit(Isaiah
19:21)
Forfromtherisingofthesun,eventoitsgoingdown,Mynameshallbegreatamongthe
GentilesIneveryplaceincenseshallbeofferedtoMyname,andapureoffering( Malachi1:11)
Heisdemeaningthepagangodsshowingthemaswildbeasts,extremelyemaciatedbecause
oflackoffoodforanextendedtimebecausenomoresacrificesnorworshipareofferedtothemin
theirtemples.
v LetusnowlistentoaprophetprophesyingthatthetimewillcomewhentheworshipofGod
willnotbelimitedtooneplacethatallmankindwillgettoknowtheLordandthatpeople
shall worship Him, each one from his place Indeed all the shores (and islands) of the
nations(Zephaniah2:11LXX)ContrarytowhatprophetMoseshascommandedtheJews
toworshiptheLordinonlyoneplace.
v You heard how several prophets prophesied: that mankind will no longer be limited to
worshipGodinoneplaceThatpeoplewillnolongerhavetocomefromeverywhereonearth
toofferHimsacrificeinonlyonecityThateveryonewillbeallowedtostayandtominister
toGodinhisownhouseorland.Whatwouldbeamoreappropriatetimethantodayforthose
propheciestoberealized?
LetusnowseehowthegospelsandtheapostlePaulechothewordsofprophetZephaniah:
The prophet says: of all nations And the apostle says: For the grace of God that brings
salvationhasappearedtoallmen(Titus2:11).Zephaniahsays:reducetonothingallgodsof
theearth,andPaulsays:teachingusthat,denyingungodlinessandworldlylusts,weshouldlive
soberly,righteously,andgodlyinthepresentage(Titus2:12).
(St.JohnChrysostom)
+AsoneprophetproclaimedthatallthenationsoftheearthwillcometoworshipGodina
certainplaceTheGentilesshallcometoYoufromtheendsoftheearth(Jeremiah16:19)Itwas
proclaimedbyanotherprophet,saying:TheLordwillbeawesometothem,ForHewillreduceto
nothingallthegodsoftheearthPeoplewillworshipHim,eachonefromhisplaceIndeedallthe
shores(andislands)ofthenations(Zephaniah 2:11)..Allpeopleswillcometotheexaltedand
trueGodoftheChristians,notphysically,butbyfaith.
+TheywillcometoHimwithoutleavingtheirplaceAsbyfaith,theywillfindHimrightin
theirhearts.

25
 +Foralongtime,thedevilshavekeptsilentintheirtemplesconcerningthethingsthatare
tocome,although it wasdefinitely knowntothemthroughthe sayingsoftheprophets.Butnow,
with the approach of events, the devils intended to proclaim them, lest they may look as though
ignorant or defeated Yet they stopped short of referring to certain issues that were already
proclaimed since long time, like those saidby prophetZephaniah: The Lord will beawesome to
them,ForHewillreducetonothingallthegodsoftheearthPeoplewillworshipHim,eachone
from his place Indeed all the shores (and islands) of the nations (Zephaniah 2: 11). Gods,
worshipped in the temples of the Gentiles, because they probably did not expect these events to
applytothemtheydidnotwishtocauseanyunwarranteddisturbancesamong theirsoothsayers.
(St.Augustine)
+LetusnowtalkaboutthechurchesasIslands.TheHolyBooksaysinonelocation:Sing
totheLordanewsong,HispraisefromtheendoftheearthLetthesearoarandallthatfillsit,the
coastlands(theislands)andtheirinhabitants(Isaiah42:10).ProphetIsaiahsaysinthenameof
theLord,thatthesamewayislandsappearinthemiddleofthesea,churcheswillbeestablishedin
the middle of the world and will be struck by a multitude of waves of persecution. Although
mighty waves will be thrown on these islands every day, yet they will never be inundated with
waterIndeedtheyareinthemiddleoftheseaYettheirfoundationisChrist,whowillneverbe
shaken!
(St.Jerome)
+Despiteallthat,theywerenotyetabletoresetthetemplenortorepairthelocationwhere
they were allowed to practice their rites according to the law. The authority of Christ, that
established the church has destroyed that place. The prophet, although he proclaimed that Christ
willcome,YetHiscomingwouldonlybeafterthecaptivity.
(St.JohnChrysostom)
4.THEJUDGMENTOFCUSH:
YouEthiopiansalsoYoushallbeslainbyMysword (Zephaniah2:12)
Cush (Ethiopia) was submitted by Nebuchadnezar (Jeremiah 46: 910 Ezekiel 30 4). By
Mysword, theLordmeansNebuchadnezar,whomHeusedasatooltochastenthenations.
5.THEJUDGMENTOFASSYRIA:
AndHewillstretchoutHishandagainstthenorth,DestroyAssyria,andmakeNineveha
desolationasdryasthewildernessZephaniah2:13)
Theherdsshallliedowninhermidst,everywildanimal,thedesertowlandthescreech
shalllodgeonitscapitalstheowlshallhootatthewindowstheravencroakonthethresholdFor
thecedarworkwillbelaidbare(Zephaniah2:14)
Assyria will turn from being a great empire, fearedby all the nations of the world, into a
vastwildernesswhereeverykindofanimalwillliedownboththedomesticatedlikethesheep,and
the wild ones. It will turn into an open pasture, with no walls to protect it Its only law will be
perditionanddeath.Asforbirds,therewillbeonlytheowlstohoot,withtheirmourningvoicethat
bringssadnessanddistress.
With desolationand destruction, the windowsof the palaces will be wideopen, andbirds
will stand on them to wail andlament. By the action of nature, the roofs of the palaces made of
cedarwood,asmarvelouspiecesofart,willbelaidbareoftheirsplendidbeauty.
If Nineveh, the symbol of the evil heart, that persists on not returning to the Lord, has
becomeadwellingplaceforowls,that keeponwailing andhootingThe spiritualJerusalem,the
symbol of the holy heart, on the other hand, shall become a dwelling place for the rejoicing
turtledoves: The voice of the turtledove is heard in our land (Song 2: 12). The portion of the
wickedwouldbedepressionanddespairwhereasthatoftherighteouswouldbejoyandhope.The
heartofthewickedwouldbearthepledgeofhellwhereasthatoftherighteouswouldbearthatof
thejoyfulandheavenly,eternalkingdom.
Assyria that captivated Israel, was known for her fierce violence in dealing with the
captivesHerkingsusedtofindpleasureincuttingofftheirbodymembers,especiallythoseofthe
richandnoble,whomtheymockinglyparadedbeforethemob.Assyriathatreferredtotheevilsoul,

26
filled with violence and abominations, has turned into a desolate wilderness, only dwelt by wild
beasts and owls Whereas the holy soul will become a joyful paradise planted with the trees of
virtue,wherethesweetvoiceofturtledovesisheard.
The followingare somecommentsbySt.Gregory,the BishopofNyssa,onwhatcame in
theSongofsongs2:12:
v Havingrebukedthewind,andsaidtothesea:Peace,bestill!,thewindceasedandthere
was a great calm (Mark 4: 39) Our life started to flourish like a garden adorned with
flowers, that represent the virtue in our life that bears fruit in its seasons. That is why the
WordofGodsays:Thewinterispast,Therainisoverandgone.Theflowersappearonthe
earth The time of singing has come, and the voiceof the turtledove is heard inour land
(Song2:11,12).
TheGroomsays:[Behold,thepasturesareadornedwiththeflowersofvirtue!Do yousee
thatpurityinthebeautyoftheNarcis?Doyouseetherosesofhumility,andthevioletthatrepresent
thesweetaromaoftheLordChrist?Whydontyoumakeacrownforyourselfoftheseflowers.Itis
theproperseason,astestifiedbythevoiceoftheturtledovethatislikethatvoiceofonecryingin
the wilderness (Matthew 3: 3) John the Baptist is the turtledove who precedes that wonderful
spring which provides such magnificent flowers for everyone who wish to gather. He is the one
whotellsusabout:theRodthatshallcomeforthfromthestemofJesse(Isaiah11:1)andThe
LambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld(John1:29).Heistheonewhodemonstratesto
ustherepentancefromsin,andthelifeaccordingtovirtue.Accordingtotheholytext:Thevoice
oftheturtledoveisheardinourland totellusthatthosewhohaverespondedtothevoiceofJohn
theBaptist,werethosecalledbythegospel,thetaxcollectorsandthesinnerswhiletherestofthe
peoplegavenoheedtohispreaching.
(St.GregoryofNyssa)
Thisistherejoicingcity,thatdweltsecurely,thatsaidinherheart,Iamit,andthereis
nonebesideme.Howhasshebecomeadesolation,aplaceforbeaststoliedown!Everyonewho
passesbyhershallhissandshakehisfist(Zephaniah2:15)
Ninevehthathasbeenarejoicingcity,thateveryonelongedtoseewithacircumferenceof
100miles,withwalls100feethigh,onwhichthreechariotscouldrunsidebysideandonwhich
therewere1500watchingtowershasbecomeadesolation,evenalmostimpossibletolocate!
Inhaughtiness,Nineveh,likeBabylonlateron,aswellasotherhaughtycities,assumedthat
itisthemistressofthewholeworld.TheLordGodinthebookofIsaiahsays:Thereforehearthis
now,youwhoaregiventopleasureswhodwellsecurelywhosayinyourheart,Iam,andthereis
nooneelsebesidemeIshallnotsitasawidow,norshallIknowthelossofchildrenButthese
twothingsshallcometoyouinamoment,inoneday:thelossofchildren,andwidowhood.They
shallcomeuponyouinfullness,becauseofthemultitudeofyoursorceries(Isaiah47:89).
ThecityofNinevehrepresentsthesoul,whichisproudofherself,andsatisfiedwithherself,
andnotwithGodwhichenjoyshertimeintheworld,thinkingthatsheisinpeaceandsecurity,and
noonecanevercomeinherway.
ANINSPIRATIONFROMTHEBOOKOFZEPHANIAH
(CHAPTER2)
DESTROYMYWICKEDNESS,ANDSETYOURRIGHTEOUSNESSINME
+LetmysouljoinallthesoulsofYourpeople
LetusgathertogetherbyYourHolySpirit
LetHimexposebeforemyeyes,mydaringandarrogance
LetHimconsumeeveryevilinsidemeandinmybehavior,
LetHimgrantmeYourrighteousness,tocoverupmydepths.

+Sinmademelikechaffbeforethewind
IcannotstandbeforeYourwrath
WhowouldbejustifiedbeforeYou,OHolyOne?
YourfierySpiritwillrenewmynature.

27
 Willturnmefromchaffintoholywheat!

+ToYou,Ishallflee.OmySavior
Youwilltakeawaymymisery,andgrantmeYourmercy
Insteadofmyhaughtiness,YouwillgrantmeYourmeeknessandhumility.
YouaremystrongholdInYou,Ishallhide,tocoverupmyweakness.

+Takeawayfrominsidemeeverytraceofidolatry.
Destroyeverysilverimage,thatI foolishlyhavesetformyself.
Occupymywholeheartandbeing.
BecausewithoutYou,mysoulwouldfeelforsaken,deserted,anddesolate.
WithoutYou,everylifeinmewouldbeuprooted.
Enterintomydepths,tosetYourheavenlyKingdom.
Then,Ishallnolongerbeabarrenpastureofsheep.
Inme,thevoiceofaturtledove,willbeheard,singingandpraisingYourname.
Noowl,oranyotherscreechingbird,willfindaplaceinme.
Nomourningnoise,butjoyandrejoice.

+Transfigureinme,withthesplendorofYourglory.
Todriveawayfrommeeveryprideandhaughtiness.
Letmejudgenoonebutmyself.
Letmenotgloatforthoseunderchastisement.
AsIamworthyofeverypunishment,evenofdeath.

+Bycomingintomydepths,Youwillopenupmyinsight.
IbeholdYou,theSaviorofthewholeworld.
Ibeholdallnationsandpeoples,rejectingeveryidol,
AndgatheredaroundYouinavictoriousprocession.
ThedefilednationsbecameforYouaholybride.
Theadversarynations,becamethesubjectofYourpleasure.
Yourheavensrejoiceoverhumanity,sanctifiedinYou.

CHAPTER3

THEREJOICINGJERUSALEM
Becauseshepersistedonherevilways,didnotheedthevoiceoftheLord,didnotaccept
Hischastisement,didnotdrawneartoHerGod,andherleadershipsturneddestructive,insteadof
workingonaccountoftheKingdomofGod,theLordcallsJerusalem:therebellious,thedefiled,
andoppressingcity.Togetherwiththerestofthenations,shewillfallunderthewrathofGod,
whowillsetanothernewrejoicingJerusalem,thatwillgatherthepeoplestogetherasachurchthat
worshipwithpurelips,inwhosemidsttheLordwilldwell.
1.Theoppressingcity17
2.Thefallofeveryoneunderthedivineindignation8
3.SettingtheworshippingJerusalem9 10
4.ThehumbleJerusalem11 12
5.ThetrueJerusalem13
6.TherejoicingJerusalem14
7.Jerusalem,thedwellingplaceoftheLord15 17

28
 8.Jerusalem,enjoyingsalvation18 19
9.Jerusalem,thegloriouscity20
1.THEOPPRESSINGCITY:
Woetoherwhoisrebellious,anddefiled,totheoppressingcity!(Zephaniah3:1)
Here,HereferstoJerusalemsomeverybadattributesHecallsherrebellious,defiled,and
oppressive. Fromthe outside, she is the city of God. It was fitting for her to beup to this great
honorYet,through herrebellion,shebecameworsethananypagancity.She isthecenterofthe
worshipofGod,embracingHisholytempleYet,becauseholinesshadnoplaceinher,shebecame
worthyoftheHebrewnameMoreah,meaning(defiled),insteadofMariah,thenameofthehill
on which she was built. Finally, she is oppressive, and does not testify to Gods mercies, and
compassiononthosewhoareinneed.Inotherwords,HechosehertobeHiscity yet,insteadof
obeying Him, she became rebellious. He set His holy temple in her yet, instead of holiness, she
becamedefiled.HeprovidedherwithHiscommandmentofloveandmercytowardtheneighbor
Yet, she became oppressive, and did not listen to His divine commandment. Hence, the Lord
advises the king of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, saying: Execute judgment and
righteousness,anddelivertheplunderedoutofthehandoftheoppressor.Donowronganddono
violence to the stranger, the fatherless or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place
(Jeremiah22:3).
Threeseriousattributes,thatmakethepeople,aswellastheindividual,losefellowshipwith
theHolyGod,theGrantoroflife,holiness,andlove.Theseattributesare:rebellion,namelylack
of obedience, defilement, namely, lack of holiness, and oppression, namely, lack of love.
Rebellion is not obeying God, and not keeping His commandment Defilement touches his
inner life And oppression touches his relationship with his brethren However, each of these
attributes reflects on these three ranges as there is no separation between obedience to God,
sanctifyingmanandtheloveofneighbor.
1 Rebellion or lack of obedience: St. Augustine in a commentary on the words of the
Psalmist: Through Yourprecepts Igetunderstanding Therefore Ihate every false way (Psalm
119:104),seesaconnectionbetweenthesethreeattributes.Hebelievesthat,inobediencetoGods
commandments,there isanenjoymentoftherichesofthe knowledgeofwisdomthroughwhich,
man would be dismayed by every way of evil, would love righteousness, and would hate
oppression.
+ThroughhisobediencetoGodscommandments,(thePsalmist)gainsanunderstandingof
theissueshelongstoknowThroughHispreceptshegetsunderstandingThosewhokeep
thecommandmentsgetgreaterrichesintheknowledgeofwisdomHelovesrighteousness,and
hateseveryoppressionAhigherwisdomisgiventohimwhoobeysGodandanunderstanding
ofHiscommandments.
(St.Augustine)
+Nothingwouldpleasethelordlikeobedience.
(St.Jerome)
2Concerning holinessitissaid:
+Yourway,OGod,isholy(Psalm77:13).Ifyouarenotholy,thewayofGodisnotin
you.WhatisthewayofGod?TheSaviorsays:Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife(John 14:6).
HencetheWayistheSonofGod.IfwewishtohaveChristdwellinus,LetusbeholyAsthe
wayofGodisholiness.
+A holy man does not fear the fire {A fire goes before him, and burns up his enemies
round about (Psalm 97: 3). Let the sinner fear it! Fire sanctifies the saints, but burns up the
sinners!.HemakesHisangelsspirits,Hisministersaflameoffire(Psalm104:4).
(St.Jerome)
3Concerning Oppression,itissaid:
+As Christ has no accord with Belial, and the righteousness has no fellowship with
lawlessness(2Corinthians6:1415)Itisnotpossibleforonesoultolovebothgoodnessandevil.

29
You,wholovetheLord,havetohatethedevil!Ineverysinglework,thereisloveforone,andhate
fortheother!
+The haughty man in hispride, acquires the source of all other evils, he offers no regret,
assumingthathe
istheobjectofGodspleasure.PrideisagainstGodTheproudorthehaughty,assuming
thatheisrighteous,
doesnotsubmittoGod,norrepenthisevilways,but,inhypocrisy,heboastshisassumed
goodworks.
(St.Jerome)
ShehasnotobeyedHisvoiceShehasnotacceptedcorrectionShehasnottrustedinthe
LordShehasnotdrawnneartoherGod(Zephaniah3:2)
Here, He diagnoses the actual nature of the incurable ailment of Jerusalem namely,
rejecting reform, not trusting the heavenly Physician, and fleeing away from Him. Her ailment
bearsthreeserioussymptoms:
RejectingthevoiceofherheavenlyPhysicianandnotwishingforreform.
NottrustingHisabilitytocureherandfulfillherneeds.
Notdrawing nearHim As though shedemands from Himtodepartfrom her, and not to
dwellinhermidst.
TheprophetMosessays:ForwhatgreatnationistherethathasGodneartoit,astheLord
ourGodistous,forwhateverreasonwemaycalluponHim?(Deuteronomy47)Goddesiresto
referHimselftoher,tobecalledherGodYet,shefleesawayfromHim!
+Jerusalemhasalwaysbeenrefusingtolistentothewordsoftheprophetssenttoher,and
not accepting any way of teaching from its source. She might have looked, as though ready for
changeatcertaintimesYet,shesoonreturnedtoherwickedways.Now,Jerusalem,thecitythat
embracesthetempleoftheLord,isdisregardingtheprophetsentbyGodtoher,anddespisingthat
magnificentexperience!ShehascompletelyforgottentheLord,anddeclaredwaragainsthim.
(TheodoreMopsuestia)
Itisjustamazing,howtheheavenlyPhysicianhascomedowntousYet,werefusetodraw
nearHim.ItisfittingforustocryouttogetherwiththePsalmist,saying:ToYou,OLord,Iliftup
mysoul.OmyGod,ItrustinYou(Psalm25:1).
+ToYou,OLord,Iliftupmysoul Byspiritual longing,I liftupmysoulwhichbowed
downtoearththroughcarnalyearnings.OmyGod,ItrustinYou,Letmenotbeashamed(Psalm
25: 2). O my Lord, by leaning upon myself, I have reached such physical weakness. Through
desertingGod,Iendedup,shamefullyafraidofthetiniestofinsect!ItrustinYouLetmenotbe
ashamed
(St.Augustine)
+Blessedisthemanwhomyouinstruct,OLord(Psalm94:12).Blessedisthemanwho
receivesGodashisInstructorWhomYouteachYourlawinYourholybooksTheywill
granthimcomfortatthetimeofaffliction.
(St.Jerome)
Here,theprophetpresentstousamagnificentconceptofreligionnamely,tobedrawnnear
God,WhodesiresustogetattachedtoHim.
+TheLordreigns,Heisclothedwithmajesty(Psalm93:1).TheLordistheKingHeis
clothedwithmajesty.Thepatriarchs(Abraham,Isaac,andJacob),theprophets,andthesaints,are
HisgarmentsTheyareHissash,referredtoinJeremiah:Forasthesashclingstothewaistofa
man,soIhavecausedthewholehouseofIsraelandthewholehouseofJudahtoclingtoMe,says
theLord.But,asthatsashorthatglory,wascastawayontheotherbankoftheRiverEuphrates,
whereitwashiddeninaholeintherockItgotruinedandcorrupt(SeeJeremiah13:412).Yet,
theLordwouldnotremainnaked,withoutsashorcoverHavinglostHisfirstpeople,Hemadefor
HimselfanewsashoftheGentiles.
(St.Jerome)

30
 HerprincesinhermidstareroaringlionsHerjudgesareeveningwolves,thatleavenota
bonetillmorning(Zephaniah3:3)
HerrulersareterribleexamplesofevilandoppressionThosewhoweresupposedtobethe
physicianstohealherwounds,turnedintoroaringlionsinhermidst,disregardingboththeMosaic
lawandthatofnature.
Asforthejudges,inordertopleasetheiroppressiverulers,theywalkinthedarknessofthe
nighttodevourthefleshandbonesofthepeople,andleavenotraceoftheirpreystillmorning.
Herprophetsareinsolent,treacherouspeopleHerpriestshaveprofanedthesanctuary
Theyhavedoneviolencetothelaw(Zephaniah3:4)
The prophets no longer present the will of God,and proclaim His commandment But for
the sake of temporal honors, pleasures, and material benefits, theydeceive thepeople by smooth
and false words They are no longer the messengers of heaven and the ambassadors of God, but
havebecomelikethedevil,insolentandtreacherous,withnotruthinthem,andnottrustedbythe
people.Aboutthem,GodsaysonthetongueofprophetJeremiah:Behold,Iamagainstthosewho
prophesyfalsedreams,saystheLord,Andwhotellthem,andwholeadMypeopleastraybytheir
liesandbytheirrecklessness, whenIdidnotsendthemorcommandthem,sotheydidnotprofit
thispeopleatall,saystheLord(Jeremiah23:32).
As for the priests, instead of ministering in the temple tosanctify the people, they turned
intoacauseofdefilementtothesanctuaryandthetempleAndinsteadofpreachingthelawandthe
divine commandment, to lead the people to God by repentance and obedience, they, themselves
walked contrary to the law They betrayed the divine covenant, corrupted the worship, and
deformedthedivinewordaccordingtotheirownintentions,toservetheirinterests,andthoseofthe
greatandtherich.
TheLordisrighteous,Heisinhermidst,Hewilldonounrighteousness.Everymorning
HebringsHisjusticetolightHeneverfails.Buttheunjustknowsnoshame(Zephaniah35)
TheJewsassumedthatthesecretoftheirholiness,prosperity,andconquestoverthenations,
isthepresenceofJerusalem,thecityofGod,andtheworshipoftheLordinthetempleofSolomon.
Yes, the Lord is there, but He will never cover them with His mercy and compassion But will
realizeHisdivinejustice,andwillchastenHispeoplefortheircorruption,andfortheirreluctance
toreturntoHimandtorepenttheiriniquities.
Heisasthoughtellingthem:YouboastthepresenceofGodinyourmidst.Wellletthatbe!
He is just Why then are you not just like Him? He is light Why do you practice the works of
darkness,anddoevilinsecret,assumingthatGoddoesnotseeyou,doesnothearyourwords,and
doesnotknowyourthoughts?
ThepresenceoftheholyGodin yourmidstdoesnotjustify you,but,onthecontrary,will
judgeyourcorruption.FortheLordyourGodwalksinthemidstofyourcamp,todeliveryouand
give your enemies over to you Therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean
thingamongyou,andturnawayfromyou(Deuteronomy23:14).Youshallbeholy,forIthe
Lord your God am holy (Leviticus 19: 2). They lean on the Lord, and say: Is not the Lord
amongus?Noharmcancomeuponus!(Micah3:11).
EverymorningHebringsHisjusticetolight(Zephaniah3:5).If,inHis longsuffering,
He did not yet chasten them They should, with the light of every new morning, anticipate His
justiceAsHewilleventuallypubliclychastenandnoonecanjustifyhimself,oppose,orgetaway
fromHim.HeiscapableofputtingHisjudgmentintoeffect.
The repentant souls say together with prophet Jeremiah:The Lordscompassion failnot
They are new every morning (Lamentations 3: 22, 23) Whereas the adversaries, should, every
morning,expectthedivinechastisement.AlthoughGodwarnstheslothfulsinners,thatthedayof
chastisement isdrawingnear yet,Hedoesnotwishforthemtobecomesadandbitterwhile He
threatens,HeopensthedoorbeforethemtoenjoyHismerciesthroughrepentance.
+OnthewickedHewillrain(traps)(Psalm11:6)tocatchinthemthosewhomisused
theirfreedomtomotivatethemtotakethestraightwaysayingtothem,IamtheWay(John14:
6).ThatiswhyinJeremiah(16:16),theLordsays,thatHewillsendmanyfishermen,andhunters

31
to cast their nets and set their traps to catch the lost fish, and the wandering beasts on every
mountainandeveryhill,andtobringthemovertoenjoysalvation.Thisphraseandthefollowing,
presentapromiseofhealing.
(St.Jerome)
Ihavecutoffnations,TheirfortressesaredevastatedIhavemadetheirstreetsdesolate,
withnonepassingby.TheircitiesaredestroyedThereisnoone,noinhabitant (Zephaniah3:6)
The people should have learned a lesson from Gods chastisement of the pagan nations
around them. After His longsuffering at the designated time, they fell under His very firm
judgment: Kingdoms disappeared kings palaces were struck great cities were destroyed, and
turnedintobarrenwildernesswithnoinhabitant.
Ononehand,HeprobablymeansthesevennationsofCanaan,mentionedinLeveticus18:
28, and the surrounding nations which the Lord allowed to be devastated, anticipating that
JerusalemandJudahwouldheedtheirexample,andreturntotheLordwithrepentance.
Onanotherhand,StJeromeandmanyotherfathers,believethatthenationscutoffbythe
Lord,refertothehereticswhoproclaimerroneousteachingsandwouldsoonbecutoff.
+OmyGod,makethemlikethewhirlingdust(Psalm83:13)tohavenoplacetosettle
down.Or(Inanotherversion),Makethemlikearollingwheel,goingforwardandbackwardAs
theheretics,likewise,areneverstable,butchangetheirteachingsandviewsallthetime!
+Because the heretics are not searching for knowledge for the sake of salvation, but are
searching for a new teaching just to overcome their opponents, Bring them down with their
multitudeofcontroversialviewsAndletthemhaveonlyonerefugeYou, OLord!
(St.Jerome)
Isaid,SurelyyouwillfearMe,YouwillreceiveinstructionSothatherdwellingwould
notbecutoff,despiteeverythingforwhichIpunishedher.Buttheyroseearlyandcorruptedall
theirdeeds(Zephaniah3:7)
God talks to us in our own language He presents to His people an example of the
surroundingnations,thatHeexpectedtofearHim,toacceptHischastisement,andtoreturntoHim
inordertosavethemselvesthedesolationHesaidtocomeoverthem.AlthoughHethreatenedHis
people with desolation, yet He wishes for them not to fall into it. He warned them through His
prophets,thatHewouldcutoffherdwelling,andtotakeitawayfromJerusalemYet,Hewishes
nottoputHisthreatsintoeffect,iftheyreturntoHim.
Sayingherdwelling,andnotMydwellingGodrefersthetempletoJerusalem,ortothe
people,andnottoHimself.This istheway Hedealswiththepeople:Iftheyareholy, Hecounts
themasHispeopleandcallstheirfeasts,His feaststheirSabbaths,HisSabbathsandtheir
temple,HistempleButincasetheyarenotholy,Hedoesnotcountthepeople,theirfeasts,their
Sabbaths,northeirtemple,asHisown.
WhatbringsHimgrief,isthat,whenHeexpectedthemtoheedthelessonofwhathappened
totheirneighbors,torepentandtoreturntoHimHefindsthemstubbornlyriseearlytospiteHim
bycorruptingalltheirdeeds,andtocommiteverysortofdefilementanduncleanness.
It is amazing, how man, both on the level of the individual and that of the whole
congregation,wishesthatGodbelongsufferingwithhim,andavengingagainsthisopponents.The
Jewish people as well, wished God to be longsuffering with them, but to avenge their pagan
opponents, while they commit the same evils they commit, and fall into their idolatry and
abominations.
+Lord,howlongwillthewicked,howlongwillthewickedtriumph?(Psalm94:3).With
nolongsufferingontheirpart,humanitydoesnotwantGodtobelongsufferingonothers.Wewish
tobetheobjectofGodscompassion,butwedonotwishthesameforourenemies.
(St.Jerome)
+Donotprotestbecausetheevildoersarenotpunished(now).lest youwouldbepunished
togetherwiththem.Youarenothappythatwhoeverstealsfromyou,doesnotdiebutstilllives
Ifyouwanttoreformthehandofanother,andtokeepitfromstealingfromyouStartbyreforming
yourownhandandhearttowardGodLest,whenyouseekGodsrevengeagainstothers,whileyou

32
persistonyourevil,anddenyHislongsufferingandmerciesYoumaytreasureforyourselvesthe
wrathonthedayofHiswrath!
(St.Augustine)
2.THEFALLOFEVERYONEUNDERINDIGNATION:
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
(Zephaniah3:8)
The Lord, even in the momentsof His anger, is addressing the few holy remnants of His
people,totellthemaboutHisplan.Heisrequestingfromthemtolookforwardtothetimesofglory
that are to come After the day of chastisement and punishment comes upon all nations His
jealousywillconsumethewholeearth,tosetHisheavenlykingdom.Yet,inHisjealousy,Hedoes
not seek the destructionof men, but the destruction of whatisearthly in them, tobecome a holy
templeforHimself,carryingholyheavenlyfeatures.
Iriseupforplunder:Followingthatfirmchastisement,theLordwillbearthespoilsof
conquest,whenthenationsreturntobelieveinHimtobecomeHisjoyfulspoils.
3.SETTINGTHEWORSHIPPINGJERUSALEM:
Forthen,Iwillrestoretothepeoplesapurelanguage,thattheyallmaycallonthename
oftheLord,toserveHimwithoneaccord (Zephaniah3:9)
He is taking away from the nations everything earthly, to grant them instead what is
heavenly, He is taking away from humanity, what has came upon it in Noahs days, when He
confusedtheirlanguagetokeepthemfrombuildingthemselvesatowerwithitstopintheheavens
(Genesis11).Now,Hemakesallnationsofferasacrificeofprayerandpraisewithapurelanguage.
Whatisthispurelanguage,butthelanguageoftheSpirit?InJesusChrist,theChurchalloverthe
world, gather together to worshipHim by a holy heavenly Spirit, by one mind andby one heart.
ThisiswhatGodproclaimedthroughHisprophetsconcerningthechurchoftheNewTestamentof
which we may mention for instance: in that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the
languageofCanaanandswearbytheLordofhosts(Isaiah19:18)And,theLordshallbeking
overalltheearth.Inthatdayitshallbe TheLordisone,AndHisnameone (Zechariah14:9).
Foralltohaveonemind,theywillbeartogether,withoneaccord,Hiseasyandsweetyoke,
asthough,withone(shoulder),onwhich,they,withjoyandtherejoiceofheart,partakeofcarrying
Hisonecross.
+Havinglosttheirpatience,theJewscouldnotbeartoheareventhelittlechildrenpraising
theLordChrist.
Theytriedtomutethevoiceofthoselittleones,towhomtheLordreferredinIsaiah(8:18),
saying: The children whom the Lord has given me. When the elders of the Jews kept silent,
grindingtheirteethinenvyandhate,thechildrencriedourglorifyingChristAndeventhestones
wouldalsocryoutaboutwhichitiswritteninthegospel:Godisabletoraiseupchildrenfrom
these stones (see Matthew 3: 9). These stones refer to us, the Gentiles, who were once stone
hearted,beforewebelievedinJesusChrist,enjoyedsonhoodamongthechildrenofAbraham,and
becamethechildrenofthemightyGod,ToWhomisthegloryforever,Amen.
(St.Jerome)
+Thewolfalsoshalldwellwiththelamb,Theleopardshallliedownwiththeyounggoat,
Thecalfandtheyounglionandthefatlingtogether,andalittlechildshallleadthem(Isaiah11:
6): The Jews may say, [Even if these impossible things actually happen, how would it benefit
mankind?!]Thattexthere,doesnotrefertowildbeasts,asmuchasitdoestowildpeoplesnamely,
toanassortmentofracesandnations,aboutwhomtheprophetclearlyproclaims,thattheywillall
cometogetherunderoneyoke,toworshiptheLord,eachonefromhisplace(Zephaniah3:92:
11)That they will no longerhave to come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord,but each will stay
homeandofferhisworshiptoGod.
(St. JohnChrysostom)

33
 FrombeyondtheriversofEthiopia,Myworshippers,Mydispersedones,shallbringMy
offering(Zephaniah3:10)
Here, He refers to a congregation of Jews dispersed in Ethiopia, who supplicate to God
anticipatingtheirreturnandreform.Those,acceptingthebeliefintheLordChrist,beingthechurch
of the New Testament, will present thespiritual offering to the Lord (Romans 12: 1),outside the
landofIsrael.
Origenbelieves that, anticipating the salvation of Israel through receiving faith, after the
fullness of the Gentiles has come into faith (Romans 11: 25) the Gentiles, together with Israel,
willgathertogethertoworshipGod,asthoughunderoneyokeandwithoneaccord(oneshoulder)
(Zephaniah 3: 9) Even as far as Ethiopia, all will present Him offerings (Zephaniah 3: 10)
accordingtowhatcameinthepsalms:EthiopiawillquicklystretchoutherhandstoGod(Psalm
68:31).
St.Jeromeoften spokeof the holy people of God, as being the garment of majesty that
clothestheLord.(seePsalm97:1).Having lostthe firstpeople,theLorddidnotstay naked,but
madeforHimselfanothergarmentoftheGentiles.
+It is said: The Lord reigns Let the earth rejoice Let the multitude of isles be glad
(Psalm 97: 1). It is not only one isle namely, Judea, that will be glad, but a multitude of isles
namely,thewholeworld.
+Hisgoalfromascendingthecrosswastoliftusupfromtheearth.Ibelievethatthecross
oftheSavioristheladderthatwasseenbyJacob,onwhichtheangelswentupanddown.Onthat
laddernamely,thecross,theJewsdescend,andtheGentilesascend.
(St.Jerome)
4.THEHUMBLEJERUSALEM:
Inthatdayyoushallnotbeashamedofanyofyourdeedsinwhichyoutransgressagainst
MeForthenIwilltakeawayfromyourmidstthosewhorejoiceinyourpride,Andyoushallno
longerbehaughtyinMyholymountain (Zephaniah3:11)
Proclaimingthegreatreform,throughsettingthenewJerusalem,andtheappearanceofthe
church of the New Testament She shall no longer be ashamed of any of her deeds as He takes
awayfromhermidst,thehaughtywhotakepride,inadeadlyformalliterality,intheblessingsthat
wereoncegiventothepeopleofIsrael.TheLordtakesawayfromIsraelwhattheythoughttobe
thesecretoftheirgreatnessthepresenceofSolomonstempleandJerusalemthecityofGod,etc.
intheirmidstAndgrantsthefewbelieversthatlittleremnant,characterizedbyhumilityandnot
haughtinesstheinnerbeautynamelyhisHolySpirit.
+Whatthen?Havetheyallperished,andaretheydeniedtheirreferencetoDavidandtothe
tribeofJudah?
No, Some of them believed, actually several thousands did, after the resurrection of the
Lord. After they crucified Him, and watching the great miracles that were performed by the
disciples in the nameof the crucified, who seemed helpless in their hands they realized that the
DeitywasthenhiddeninHim.Andwhentheysoughtthecounseloftheapostles,theytoldthem:
Repent,andleteveryoneofyoubebaptizedinthenameofJesusChristfortheremissionofsins
(Acts2:38).
TheLordChristresurrectedtojudgethosewhocrucifiedHimHetransferredHispresence
fromtheJewstotheGentilesandseemedtoactforthegoodoftheremnantofIsrael,aboutwhom
Hewastold:ForYourservantDavidssake,DonotturnawaythefaceofYouranointed(Psalm
132:10).Letthehaybegatheredtogetherwiththewheat,fortheremnanttobesaved(SeeIsaiah
10: 21). Out of those remnant, came the twelve apostles the five hundred brethren to whom the
LordappearedafterHisresurrection(1Corinthians15:6)theseveralthousandswhowerebaptized
onthedayofthePentecost(Acts2:41),andthosewholaidtheirpossessionsattheapostlesfeet
(Acts4:35).
(St.Augustine)
Iwillleaveinyourmidstameekandhumblepeople,andtheyshalltrustinthenameof
theLord (Zephaniah3:12)

34
 St.AugustinebelievesthistobeaprophecyaboutthefewremnantofIsraelwhoweresaved
throughbelievingintheLordChrist.
Having taken away their haughtiness, they started to practice humility and to trust in the
nameofthe Lord,andin Hisworkinthem. Here He connectsbetweenthetruehumilityandthe
livingfaith,filledwithtrustintheworkofGod.
+MiracleswererealizedinsomeofthosewhocrucifiedChristwhobecamebelievers,and
receivedthebloodofChrist.Those,onwhosehandswasthebloodoftheSavior,Hecleansedthem
ThosewhopersecutedHisdeadbody,havethemselvesbecomeHisbodynamely,thechurch.
(St.Augustine)
5.THETRUEJERUSALEM:
TheremnantofIsraelshalldonounrighteousnessandspeaknolies,norshalladeceitful
tonguebe foundintheirmouthFortheyshallfeedtheirflocksandliedown,andnooneshallmake
themafraid (Zephaniah3:13)
ThisholyremnantwhoacceptfaithintheLordChrist,shallhaveexaltedfeatures:humility
withpracticalfaith,holinessofbehavior,doingnounrighteousness,utteringnolies,anddeceitshall
have noplaceintheirhearts,norintheirmouths.Theyshallbetrueintheirthoughts,deeds,and
words.
6.THEREJOICINGJERUSALEM
Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O
daughterof Jerusalem!(Zephaniah3:14)
Thefruitsofhumilitywithpracticalfaith,theholinessofthought,deeds,andwords,willbe
the true inner joy. The church shall have no work but to give the Lord perpetual thanksgiving,
praise,shouting,andincessantrejoice.Itisjoywithalltheheart,inwhichthesourceofjoywill
dwell,leavingnoplaceforanyoneelse.
+SingtotheLordanewsong(Psalm96:1).Becausetheoldmanwillbedestroyed,and
replacedbythenewman,theearthwillsinganewsong,SingtotheLord,alltheearth(Psalm
96: 1). The earth that turned to the Lord with all her heart, will incessantly sing with the sweet
praisesofthanksgivingofyouth.
+Theheavenswill praise Your wonders,O Lord (Psalm 89: 5) If to the sinner, it is
said:Youaredust,andtodustyouwillreturn(Genesis19:3)Sowhynotsaytotherighteous
andthesaint:Youareheaven,andtoheaven youwillreturn?Thesaints,liketheapostles,will
havetheircitizenshipinheaven (Philippians3:20).TheheavenswillpraiseYourwonders,O
Lord,prophesiestherepentancepreachedbytheapostles,andbywhichweaccepttheknowledge
ofourLordJesusChrist.Ifweobeythecounsel,andfollowtheexampleofthosewhohavetheir
citizenshipthere,weshallalsobecalledheavenParadiseisthehomeofthesaints.
(St.Jerome)
+RejoiceintheLord,Oyourighteous(Psalm33:1)Forthepraisefromtheuprightis
beautiful(Psalm33:1)
SubmittingtotheLord,theywillnevergoastrayPraisetheLordwiththeharp(Psalm
33:2)PraisetheLord,presentingtoHimyourbodiesalivingsacrifice(Romans12:1)Make
melodytoHimwithaninstrumentoftenstrings(Psalm33:2).Letyourbodymembersministerto
theloveofGodandtotheloveofyourneighborSingtoHimanewsong(Psalm33:3)Sing
toHimthesongofthegraceoffaith.Playskillfullywithashoutofjoy (Psalm33:3).
(St.Augustine)
7.JERUSALEM,THEDWELLINGPLACEOFTHELORD:
TheLordhastakenawayyourjudgments,Hehascastoutyourenemy.TheKingofIsrael,
theLord,isinyourmidstYoushallseedisasternomore (Zephaniah3:15)
ThesecretofjoyofthechurchisthatHehastakenawayandwipedouthercharges,tobe
judgednomore.TheHolyOnetookherplace,andreceivedtheverdictofdeathonherbehalfHe
tookwhatishers,andgaveherwhatisHis,beingtheholyandtherighteousSon.
Theenemy,thedevil,whobecametheprinceof thisworld,has nomoreplace inthetrue
churchofChrist.TheLordhascastoutherenemy,haspubliclymadehimofnoreputation,andhas

35
reigned in her midst making His righteousness and holiness her law Evil cannot force its way
throughher.
+Live,OJerusalemincompletejoy,inperfecthappiness,andinfulfillment.TheLordhas
cast away all your evil deeds, and saved you of your enemys might to whom you were once
submitted. Now, being in your midst, and proclaiming His Kingdom by caring for you no
disturbancecaneverapproachyou.
(Theodore,BishopofMessisa)
+ThedeepmeaningofthisphraseisthatitclearlycommandsJerusalemtorejoiceandtobe
happy with all her heart having all her iniquities cast away by Christ. The spiritual Zion the
church,ortheholycongregationbecomerighteousinChrist,andinHimalone.By,andthrough
Him,theyaresavedfromtheharmoftheirunseenenemieshavingasanIntercessor,theIncarnated
who took our form the King of all namely the Word of God the Father. Thanks to Him, being
savedfromthehostsofdarkness,weshallnolongerseeevil.Heisthe(Word),theShieldofgood
will,Peace,Stronghold,Grantorofnoncorruption,the Intercessorofcrowns,whoovercomesthe
incorporealAssyrians,andmakesofnoavail,theplotsofthedevils.
(St.CyrilofAlexandria)
+Iknowthatcertainscholarsinterpretthistext,asthereturnfromBabylon,andtherenewal
ofJerusalem.Although
Ishallnotargueagainsttheirinterpretationasthetextalsoappliestowhathappenedthen.
Yet you shall find a more logic and correct interpretation in the incarnation of our Savior, that
healed the grieved hearts by the cleansing of the new birth, having renewed our human nature
proclaimingHisloveforusbydeliveringHimselfforoursakeGreaterlovehasnoonethanthis,
thantolaydownoneslifeforhisfriends(John15:13)and,ForGodsolovedtheworldthatHe
gave HisonlybegottenSon, that whoeverbelieves in Him shouldnotperishbuthave everlasting
life(John3:16).
(Theodore,BishopofCoresh)
+After making war against the devil for a certain time, we will be in need of a dwelling
placewherewefindpeace.
(St.Augustine)
InthatdayitshallbesaidtoJerusalem:Donotfear,Zion,letnotyourhandsbeweak
(Zephaniah3:16)
DwellinginthemidstofHispeople,anddwellingintheheartofthebeliever,Heseeksthe
raisingofthepurehandswith noweakness norfear.Castingawaythedevilwith his works,fear
willhavenoplaceinthechurchofChrist,who,daringly,willraiseherhandstosupplicateforthe
sakeofherchildren,andforallhumanity.
Thesecretofhavingnofearwillbewhatthechurchenjoysofthefreedomofthegloryof
thechildrenofGodbywhichshecan,daringly,speakwithHimlikeasonoradaughterwiththeir
father.
+TheLordisthestrengthofmylifeOfwhomshallIbeafraid?(Psalm27:1).TheLord
willmakealltheattacksof
theenemyofnoavail.Whenthewickedcameagainstme,toeatupmyflesh(Psalm27:
2)Ishallchangeto
thebetterWiththeirteeth,theywillnotdevourme,butwilldevourmycarnallusts.
(St.Augustine)
TheLordyourGodinyourmidst,ThemightyOnewillsaveHewillrejoiceoveryouwith
gladness,HewillquietyouinHislove,Hewillrejoiceoveryouwithsinging(Zephaniah3:17)
BythereturnoftheremnanttotheLord,TheLordwillproudlyrefer HimselftoherShe
willbetold:YourGodthesamewayitissaid:GodofAbraham,ofIsaac,andofJacob.
InthemidstofHischurch,He isthemightyGod,capabletosavetoperfection,todefend
her,andtograntherthelifeofconquest.ShewillbetheobjectofHisrejoice,andHisjoyHewill
(quietly)contemplateinherspiritualbeauty,notindisregard,butwillfindHiscomfortinHisgreat
loveforher.

36
 We know that God is the source ofour rejoice, joy, and happiness But, how amazing to
hear that God finds pleasure in us, and rejoices over us! According to Ben Sirach: God finds
pleasureinmankindAndaccordingtotheLordChristHimself:Therewillbemorejoyinheaven
overonesinnerwhorepents (Luke15:7).
+HewillindeedsaveYet,HewilldothataccordingtothewayHepromisedAndhowis
that?WehavetoseeksalvationWehavetolistentoHimAsHeisnotpromisingwoodenboards!
(St.JohnChrysostom)
8.JERUSALEMENJOYINGSALVATION:
Iwillgatherthosewhosorrowovertheappointedassembly,whoareamongyou,towhom
itsreproachisaburden (Zephaniah3:18)
Grief reigning over the hearts of the captives, they refused to play on their harps. The
Psalmist says: By the rivers of Babylon, there we satdown, yea, we wept when weremembered
Zion.Wehungourharpsuponthewillowsinthemidstofit.Forthere,thosewhocarriedusaway
captivesrequiredofusasong,Andthosewhoplunderedusrequiredofusmirth,saying,Singus
oneofthesongsofZion.HowshallwesingtheLordssonginaforeignland?IfIforgetyou,O
Jerusalem, Let my righthand forgether skill (Psalm 137). But,once the Lord reversed their
captivation,broughtthem intothe spiritualJerusalem,andgavethemthe freedomofthe gloryof
the children of God their whole being became a spiritual harp on which the Holy Spirit of God
playsthesongsofsalvation,ofthanksgiving,andofpraise.Herreproachistakenaway,hergriefis
scattered,andsheisbearinganinnerglory,anexaltedheavenlyjoy.
Behold,atthattime,IwilldealwithallwhoafflictyouIwillsavethelame,andgather
thosewhoaredrivenoutIwillappointthemforpraiseandfameineverylandwheretheywereput
toshame(Zephaniah3:19)
Enjoying salvation from captivity and the reproach of the devil,the weakness of the holy
remnantwillnotbeanobstacleonthewayofhertrueglory,AstheSaviorwilldealwithwhoever
hashumiliatedher,willbreakhismightandpower,andwilltakeawayhisauthorityoverher,
IftheenemyhasmadeherlameandhelplesstomovetheSaviorwillmoveonherbehalf,
andwillspareherthefeelingofweaknessandhelplessness.
Andiftheenemyhascaptivatedher,broughtherintoexile,andscatteredherawayfromher
home,TheSaviorwillgatherher,andwillbringherover,asthoughtoherheavenlyhome.
Andiftheenemyhasdistortedherimage,andpouredonhershameandreproach,Shewill
bearthenameofherSaviorinthewholeearthAndwillbecome,herself,asong,andasourceof
joytomany.
9.JERUSALEMTHEGLORIOUS:
AtthetimeIwillbringyouback,EvenatthetimeIgatheryouForIwillgiveyoufame
andpraiseamongallthepeopleoftheearth,whenIreturnyourcaptivesbeforeyoureyes,says
theLord (Zephaniah3:20)
HeendsthebookbyproclaimingtheChurchoftheNewTestamentasagloriouschurchthat
reflectsthesplendorofthegloryofherheavenlyFather.She,whousedtobeanobjectofridicule
andreproach,Hernamenow,willbeallovertheearth,thesourceofjoyforallmankind.Everyone
willmarvel,howthecaptivehasbecomefreeandhowtheonewhowasindisgrace,hascometo
suchanexaltedglory?!
+The salvation of humanity would only be realized through the compassion of God We
wouldnotacquireitaswageforourownrighteousnessbutratherasadivinegrantandgoodness.
ThatiswhytheLordsays:ForyoursakeIsaveandmakealiveIwillbringbacktome,himwho
hasgoneafteranotherIwillmakehimmoreprominentandmorefamedIwillsethimfreefrom
hispastreproach,captivity, andservitudeIwill makea free nationforMyself,outofthosewho
returned from Babylon at that time, and the whole people of the world later on. We, who were
undertheviolentservitudeofthedevilhavebecomenowfreeWhohaveirrationallyfallenunder
the worship of a multitudeof gods, have become subjects of the living and true God, and, have
become,accordingtotheprophecy,morefamedandprominentthanthepagansandtheBarbarians
And,accordingtotheblessedapostle,we,whowerefarbefore,becamenear.

37
 (Theodore,BishopofCoresh)
Havingenjoyedsalvation,thebelieverwillbetheobjectofpleasuretoGodAndthis,being
reflectedon everyone he encounters,he will becomethe secret of joy to many,who get intouch
withtheLordChristdwellinginhimthefountainofjoyandhismerenamewillbecomeapraise
onthemouthsofpeople.
Wherever the true believer goes, he will turn the location as though into heaven, by the
graceofGodworkinginhim.Andwhatwesayaboutthebeliever,wedosayaboutthechurchasa
whole.Hernamewillturnintoapraise,blessedbymany,asasourceofjoyandrejoicetothem.
ThatwastheexperienceofSt.Mary,whocarrying herSaviorin herwomb,shebecamea
praise to the whole world And as she said: Behold, henceforth all generations will call me
blessed(Luke1:48).

ANINSPIRATIONFROMTHEBOOKOFZEPHANIAH
(Chapter3)
YOUBUILD,ANDYOUDEMOLISH

+IshallentrustnohandtodemolishmeexceptYourdivinehandthatbuildsanddemolishes.
To demolish my rebellion. defilements, and oppression and to take away every
disobedienceinme.
To scatterevery haughtiness which infiltrated into my depths and to kill every voracious
thought.

+Inplaceofmydryness,You grantmethelivingspiritofworship
So that, in me, the river of Your Holy Spirit will run, to transform my wilderness into a
paradise.
Willgrantmethefellowshipofthedivinenature.
Iwillfindmypleasureinenjoyingobedience,humility,andmeekness.
IwillbearYourabidance,enjoyYourhumility,andwillenjoyYourmeekness.
Glory to You, O who works in the sinners, and grants righteousness to Your servants, in
whichtohide.

+YouramazingSpiritsetsoutofme,arejoicingJerusalem.
AndturnsmydepthsintoYourholytemple,tobecomeYourdwellingplace.
Toknownothingbutthejoyofheavenandtherejoiceoftheangels.
ToenjoyYoursalvation,andthepledgeofeternalglory.
GlorytoYou,OGrantorofglorytoYourbelovedchildren.

TABLEOFCONTENTS

THEBOOKOFZEPHANIAH:ACALLTOTHEHOLYLIFE.

ANINTRODUCTIONTOTHEBOOKOFZEPHANIAH:
ZephaniahThecircumstancesaroundthisbookDateofitswritingItskeyItsfeaturesIts
divisions.
An inspiration from the book of Zephaniah: (The Introduction): Restore me to You to
becomeapraiseforYou.

CHAPTER1:THEGREATDAYOFTHELORD.
AnIntroductionThedesolationofJudahThedayoftheLordisathandThegreatdayof
theLord.
In inspirationfromthebookofZephaniah(Chapter1):LetYourgreatdaycome.
CHAPTER2:THEJUDGMENTOFTHENATIONS.

38
 CallingonHispeopletoseekrighteousnessJudgmentofPalestineJudgmentofMoaband
AmmonJudgmentofCushJudgmentofAssyria.
An inspiration from the book of Zephaniah (Chapter 2): Destroy my weakness, and set
Yourrighteousnessinme.
CHAPTER3:THEREJOICINGJERUSALEM.
TheoppressingcityThefallofeveryoneundertheindignationSettingtheworshippingJerusalemThehumble JerusalemThe
trueJerusalemTherejoicingJerusalemThedwellingplaceofGodJerusalem,enjoyingsalvation.
AninspirationfromthebookofZephaniah(Chapter3):YoubuildandYoudemolish.
TABLEOFCONTENTS.

39