Zephaniah 2:3
Verse
Context
A Call to Repentance
2before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the Day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you. 3Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
Sermons
Bill McLeod
E.A. Johnston
Zac Poonen
J.C. PhilpotSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye meek of the earth - ענוי anavey, ye oppressed and humbled of the land. It may be ye shall be hid - The sword has not a commission against you. Ask God, and he will be a refuge to you from the storm and from the tempest.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
As in Zep 2:1 (compare Note, see on Zep 1:12) he had warned the hardened among the people to humble themselves, so now he admonishes "the meek" to proceed in their right course, that so they may escape the general calamity (Psa 76:9). The meek bow themselves under God's chastisements to God's will, whereas the ungodly become only the more hardened by them. Seek ye the Lord--in contrast to those that "sought not the Lord" (Zep 1:6). The meek are not to regard what the multitudes do, but seek God at once. his judgment--that is, law. The true way of "seeking the Lord" is to "work judgment," not merely to be zealous about outward ordinances. seek meekness--not perversely murmuring against God's dealings, but patiently submitting to them, and composedly waiting for deliverance. it may be ye shall be hid-- (Isa 26:20; Amo 5:6). This phrase does not imply doubt of the deliverance of the godly, but expresses the difficulty of it, as well that the ungodly may see the certainty of their doom, as also that the faithful may value the more the grace of God in their case (Pe1 4:17-19) [CALVIN]. Compare Kg2 25:12.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth Or "of the land", of the land of Judea. In this time of great apostasy, there was a remnant according to the election of grace, whom the Lord reserved for himself, and bestowed his grace upon; and it is for the sake of these that the general exhortations to repentance and reformation are given out, to whom alone they were to be useful, that they might be protected and preserved from the general ruin; for such as are here described are persons the Lord takes great notice of; he gives them more grace; he lifts them up when bowed down; he beautifies them with salvation; he feeds them to full satisfaction; he teaches them his ways, his mind and will; he dwells with them here, and will cause them to inherit the new heaven and new earth hereafter: they are such who have a true sense of sin, and the exceeding sinfulness of it, which humbles them; and, conscious of the imperfection of their own righteousness, submit to the righteousness of Christ; acknowledge they are saved alone by the grace of God; and that all they have and expect to enjoy is owing to that; they are humble under the mighty hand of God, in every afflictive providence; patiently take all wrongs, abuses, and injuries done them by men; and not envious at the superior gifts, grace, and usefulness of others, but rejoice therein; have mean sentiments of themselves, and very high ones of others that excel in grace and holiness; these are truly gracious persons; and are like unto, and are followers of, the meek and lowly Jesus: and are here exhorted "to seek the Lord": that is, by prayer and supplication, to know more of his mind and will, and especially their duty in their present circumstances; implore his grace and mercy, protection and safety, in a day of common danger; and attend the public ordinances of his house, in order to enjoy his presence and communion with him: for to seek the Lord is to seek his face and favour, to have the light of his countenance, and the discoveries of his love; and to seek his honour and glory in all things: particularly the Lord Christ may be meant, who was to come in the flesh, and good men sought for before he came, and now he is come; and to him should men seek for righteousness and life; for peace and pardon; for grace, and all supplies of it: and for everlasting salvation; and all this before as well as since his coming: and such seek him aright, who seek him early, in the first place, and above all things; who seek him with their whole hearts, sincerely, diligently, and constantly; and where he is to be found, in the ministry of his word and ordinances: which have wrought his judgment: the judgment of the Lord; acted according to his mind and will, revealed in his word, which is the rule of judgment, both as to faith and practice; observed his laws and statutes; kept his ordinances, as they were delivered; and did works of righteousness from right principles, and with right views, as fruits of faith, and as meet for repentance: seek righteousness; not their own, and justification by that; for this would be doing what the carnal Jews did, and in vain, and is inconsistent with seeking the Lord, as before; but the righteousness of God, the kingdom of God and his righteousness, even the righteousness of Christ, who is God, and which only gives a right unto the kingdom of God or heaven: seeking this supposes a want of righteousness, which is in every man; a sense of that want, which only some have; a view of a righteousness without a man, in another, even in Christ; and of the glory, fulness, and excellency of his righteousness, which make it desirable, and worth seeking for; though this exhortation may also include in it a living to him soberly and righteously, as a fruit of divine grace, and to the glory of God, and according to his will, without trusting in it, and depending upon it, for life and salvation: seek meekness; even though they were meek ones already, yet it became them to seek after more of this grace of meekness, that they might increase therein, and abound in the exercise of it, and be careful that they failed not in it; since the enemy of souls often attacks the saints in that in which they most excel, and succeeds: so Moses, the meekest man on earth, being off of his guard, and provoked, spoke unadvisedly with his lips; and it went ill with him on that account, ( Numbers 12:3 ) ( Psalms 106:32 Psalms 106:33 ) besides, this exhortation, as well as the preceding, may have a respect to their concern with others; that they should study, as much as in them lay, not only to do righteousness and exercise meekness themselves, but to cultivate these among others; with which agrees Kimchi's note, ``seek righteousness and meekness with others; as if it was said, study with all your might and main to return them to the right way:'' it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger; in the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, when some were put to the sword, and others carried captive: now there was a possibility, yea, a probability, that such persons before described would be saved at this time from the general calamity; be hid, protected, and preserved, by the power and, providence of God, Jeremiah, Baruch, and others, were: this, though it is not said as a certain thing, because a corporeal blessing, which the people of God cannot always be assured of in a time of public distress; yet not expressed in a doubting manner, much less despairing; but rather as presuming, at least hoping it would be, being possible and probable; and so encouraging to the above exercises of religion; and such that have the grace of God, and seek him, and seek to Christ alone for righteousness and life, may depend upon it that they shall be hid, and be safe and secure, when the wrath of God at the last day comes upon an ungodly world, ( Isaiah 32:2 ) ( Romans 5:9 ) . The Targum of the whole is, ``seek the fear of the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, who do the judgments of his will; seek truth, seek meekness; it may be there will be a protection for you in the day of the Lord's anger.'' The Vulgate Latin version is, "seek the Lord--seek the just, seek the meek One"; as expressive of a person, even the Lord Christ, the just and Holy One, the meek and lowly Jesus.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:3 all who are humble: True humility involves submission to and dependence on God (Pss 18:25-27; 119:142-144; Prov 15:33; 18:12; 22:4).
Zephaniah 2:3
A Call to Repentance
2before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the Day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you. 3Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Judgment Could It Be?
By Bill McLeod1.4K46:20JudgmentZEP 2:3MAT 6:33JHN 7:53ACT 3:6ROM 2:5JAS 2:5In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of recognizing and repenting for our sins. He references Romans 2:5, which asks if we despise the riches of God's goodness and forbearance, not realizing that it is His goodness that leads us to repentance. The preacher also speaks about the hardness of people's hearts and the consequences of treasuring up wrath against the day of judgment. He shares a personal story of a tragic accident involving a young man from his church, highlighting the need for prioritizing time with God. The sermon emphasizes the need to watch and pray always, in order to escape the trials and tribulations of life and stand before the Son of Man. The preacher also discusses God's anger towards the world for rejecting the gospel and the increase in diseases as a result of sin.
The Outpoured Wrath of a Long-Provoked God
By E.A. Johnston1.3K18:02Wrath Of GodZEP 1:14ZEP 2:1ZEP 2:3MAT 6:33In this sermon, the pastor discusses the decline of America as a nation and attributes it to the sins of the people. He refers to the history of America being favored by God in times of revival and spiritual awakening. The pastor emphasizes the need for the nation to repent and seek righteousness and meekness before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon them. He quotes from the book of Zephaniah, urging the people to gather together and seek the Lord before it is too late.
Few Find the Way to Life - Part 4
By Zac Poonen1.2K09:34ZEP 2:3LUK 16:19PHP 2:3REV 14:1
The sermon discusses the concept of the 'great gulf' as illustrated in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing the importance of humility over pride in determining one's eternal destiny. It highlights the need to walk closely with Jesus to cultivate true humility and avoid being on the wrong side of the gulf. The message warns against the dangers of pride and self-centeredness, urging listeners to consider others as more important than themselves, following the example of Christ's humility.
Historic Premillennialism and the Victorious Church
By Mike Bickle2625:30EschatologyVictory in ChristISA 61:1JOL 2:11JOL 2:14ZEP 2:3MAT 5:6MAT 28:19ROM 8:371CO 15:572TI 4:7REV 3:20Mike Bickle discusses Historic Premillennialism and the concept of a victorious church, emphasizing the importance of seeking God amidst trials and the promise of mercy for those who do. He highlights that everyone has an eschatological view, whether they acknowledge it or not, and stresses the need for a balanced understanding of end times that recognizes both challenges and victories. Bickle encourages believers to pursue intimacy with Jesus and to engage actively in establishing righteousness and justice in society, asserting that their efforts will have lasting impact even into the millennial kingdom.
How to Respond to Global Crisis (Joel 2:12-17)
By Mike Bickle1759:40RepentancePrayerPSA 2:8PSA 103:10ISA 30:18EZK 33:11JOL 2:12MIC 7:18ZEP 2:3MAT 5:29HEB 7:25JAS 4:2Mike Bickle emphasizes the critical role of prayer and wholeheartedness in responding to global crises, drawing from Joel 2:12-17. He explains that God desires genuine repentance and intercession from His people, highlighting the dignity of free will and the impact of collective prayer on national and international events. Bickle encourages believers to gather in solemn assemblies, emphasizing that their choices can either invite blessings or open doors for judgment. He reassures that God's heart is gracious and merciful, always ready to relent from harm if His people turn to Him with sincerity. The sermon calls for a radical commitment to prayer and unity in seeking God's will during challenging times.
Concerning the Times and Seasons, Both Which Have Been, and Are Yet to Be
By Isaac Penington0GEN 1:27ZEP 2:32CO 5:17HEB 12:29Isaac Penington preaches about the times and seasons in history, highlighting the joy of being in God's image, the consequences of sin and disobedience, the blessings and curses upon nations based on their faithfulness, the periods of darkness and apostasy in the church, and the promise of a glorious future when the everlasting gospel will be preached to all nations. He emphasizes the importance of seeking the Lord, waiting on God, discerning spiritual influences, and living in the new creation through God's power and Spirit.
New Years' Address, January 1853
By J.C. Philpot0NUM 20:11ISA 50:10ISA 66:5JER 5:31EZK 13:10EZK 34:4JOL 1:10ZEP 2:3ZEC 2:52CO 2:4J.C. Philpot delivers a powerful sermon reflecting on the state of the church amidst worldly progress and material prosperity, questioning the lack of vital godliness and grace despite advancements in society. He highlights the need for true conversions, love, and unity within churches, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth and genuine faith over external success. Philpot draws parallels between the current state of the church and the decline of the Jewish Church before the Babylonish captivity, urging for repentance, confession of sin, and a return to seeking the Lord's face. He calls for pastors and churches to imitate the prophets in their faithful denunciations of ungodliness while showing compassion and encouragement to the suffering remnant.
Bible Survey - Zephaniah
By Peter Hammond02CH 34:29ZEP 1:12ZEP 2:3ZEP 3:5ZEP 3:9ZEP 3:12ZEP 3:16HEB 12:5Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Zephaniah, who delivered prophecies during the reign of King Josiah, calling for repentance and seeking righteousness and humility. Zephaniah's message highlights the consequences of idolatry, immorality, and apostasy, leading to God's judgement. The prophet emphasizes the importance of God's discipline to restore His people and the need for national repentance. Zephaniah's prophecies also point to a future of redemptive judgement and restoration for those who seek the Lord wholeheartedly.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye meek of the earth - ענוי anavey, ye oppressed and humbled of the land. It may be ye shall be hid - The sword has not a commission against you. Ask God, and he will be a refuge to you from the storm and from the tempest.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
As in Zep 2:1 (compare Note, see on Zep 1:12) he had warned the hardened among the people to humble themselves, so now he admonishes "the meek" to proceed in their right course, that so they may escape the general calamity (Psa 76:9). The meek bow themselves under God's chastisements to God's will, whereas the ungodly become only the more hardened by them. Seek ye the Lord--in contrast to those that "sought not the Lord" (Zep 1:6). The meek are not to regard what the multitudes do, but seek God at once. his judgment--that is, law. The true way of "seeking the Lord" is to "work judgment," not merely to be zealous about outward ordinances. seek meekness--not perversely murmuring against God's dealings, but patiently submitting to them, and composedly waiting for deliverance. it may be ye shall be hid-- (Isa 26:20; Amo 5:6). This phrase does not imply doubt of the deliverance of the godly, but expresses the difficulty of it, as well that the ungodly may see the certainty of their doom, as also that the faithful may value the more the grace of God in their case (Pe1 4:17-19) [CALVIN]. Compare Kg2 25:12.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth Or "of the land", of the land of Judea. In this time of great apostasy, there was a remnant according to the election of grace, whom the Lord reserved for himself, and bestowed his grace upon; and it is for the sake of these that the general exhortations to repentance and reformation are given out, to whom alone they were to be useful, that they might be protected and preserved from the general ruin; for such as are here described are persons the Lord takes great notice of; he gives them more grace; he lifts them up when bowed down; he beautifies them with salvation; he feeds them to full satisfaction; he teaches them his ways, his mind and will; he dwells with them here, and will cause them to inherit the new heaven and new earth hereafter: they are such who have a true sense of sin, and the exceeding sinfulness of it, which humbles them; and, conscious of the imperfection of their own righteousness, submit to the righteousness of Christ; acknowledge they are saved alone by the grace of God; and that all they have and expect to enjoy is owing to that; they are humble under the mighty hand of God, in every afflictive providence; patiently take all wrongs, abuses, and injuries done them by men; and not envious at the superior gifts, grace, and usefulness of others, but rejoice therein; have mean sentiments of themselves, and very high ones of others that excel in grace and holiness; these are truly gracious persons; and are like unto, and are followers of, the meek and lowly Jesus: and are here exhorted "to seek the Lord": that is, by prayer and supplication, to know more of his mind and will, and especially their duty in their present circumstances; implore his grace and mercy, protection and safety, in a day of common danger; and attend the public ordinances of his house, in order to enjoy his presence and communion with him: for to seek the Lord is to seek his face and favour, to have the light of his countenance, and the discoveries of his love; and to seek his honour and glory in all things: particularly the Lord Christ may be meant, who was to come in the flesh, and good men sought for before he came, and now he is come; and to him should men seek for righteousness and life; for peace and pardon; for grace, and all supplies of it: and for everlasting salvation; and all this before as well as since his coming: and such seek him aright, who seek him early, in the first place, and above all things; who seek him with their whole hearts, sincerely, diligently, and constantly; and where he is to be found, in the ministry of his word and ordinances: which have wrought his judgment: the judgment of the Lord; acted according to his mind and will, revealed in his word, which is the rule of judgment, both as to faith and practice; observed his laws and statutes; kept his ordinances, as they were delivered; and did works of righteousness from right principles, and with right views, as fruits of faith, and as meet for repentance: seek righteousness; not their own, and justification by that; for this would be doing what the carnal Jews did, and in vain, and is inconsistent with seeking the Lord, as before; but the righteousness of God, the kingdom of God and his righteousness, even the righteousness of Christ, who is God, and which only gives a right unto the kingdom of God or heaven: seeking this supposes a want of righteousness, which is in every man; a sense of that want, which only some have; a view of a righteousness without a man, in another, even in Christ; and of the glory, fulness, and excellency of his righteousness, which make it desirable, and worth seeking for; though this exhortation may also include in it a living to him soberly and righteously, as a fruit of divine grace, and to the glory of God, and according to his will, without trusting in it, and depending upon it, for life and salvation: seek meekness; even though they were meek ones already, yet it became them to seek after more of this grace of meekness, that they might increase therein, and abound in the exercise of it, and be careful that they failed not in it; since the enemy of souls often attacks the saints in that in which they most excel, and succeeds: so Moses, the meekest man on earth, being off of his guard, and provoked, spoke unadvisedly with his lips; and it went ill with him on that account, ( Numbers 12:3 ) ( Psalms 106:32 Psalms 106:33 ) besides, this exhortation, as well as the preceding, may have a respect to their concern with others; that they should study, as much as in them lay, not only to do righteousness and exercise meekness themselves, but to cultivate these among others; with which agrees Kimchi's note, ``seek righteousness and meekness with others; as if it was said, study with all your might and main to return them to the right way:'' it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger; in the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, when some were put to the sword, and others carried captive: now there was a possibility, yea, a probability, that such persons before described would be saved at this time from the general calamity; be hid, protected, and preserved, by the power and, providence of God, Jeremiah, Baruch, and others, were: this, though it is not said as a certain thing, because a corporeal blessing, which the people of God cannot always be assured of in a time of public distress; yet not expressed in a doubting manner, much less despairing; but rather as presuming, at least hoping it would be, being possible and probable; and so encouraging to the above exercises of religion; and such that have the grace of God, and seek him, and seek to Christ alone for righteousness and life, may depend upon it that they shall be hid, and be safe and secure, when the wrath of God at the last day comes upon an ungodly world, ( Isaiah 32:2 ) ( Romans 5:9 ) . The Targum of the whole is, ``seek the fear of the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, who do the judgments of his will; seek truth, seek meekness; it may be there will be a protection for you in the day of the Lord's anger.'' The Vulgate Latin version is, "seek the Lord--seek the just, seek the meek One"; as expressive of a person, even the Lord Christ, the just and Holy One, the meek and lowly Jesus.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:3 all who are humble: True humility involves submission to and dependence on God (Pss 18:25-27; 119:142-144; Prov 15:33; 18:12; 22:4).