I. Judgment: God’s abhorrence of sin (1:1-3:8)
II. Salvation: God’s abundance of mercy and grace to humble, repentant sinners (3:9-20).
A. God’s power to convert people and nations (3:9-10)
B. God’s promise that He will not shame us for our former sins! (3:11-13)
C. God’s passion: He delights in us and sings over us! (3:14-17)
“One of the most awesome descriptions of the wrath of God in judgment found anywhere in Scripture appears in the opening verses of Zephaniah… One of the most moving descriptions of the love of God for his people found anywhere in Scripture appears in the closing verses of Zephaniah. God and his people attain heights in the ecstasy of love that are hard to comprehend…”—O. Palmer Robertson (NICOT, Zephaniah p.334)
“The love of God for his own people is not a soft, sentimental emotion that has no strength to act on behalf of its object. For this God who loves is Yahweh… a mighty hero who saves… a warrior who overpowers his enemies (Isa. 42:13). As the God of Gods, the Lord of Lords, the Mighty God, the hero, he defends the orphan, the widow, and the alien (Deut 10:17).”—O. Palmer Robertson (NICOT, Zephaniah p.339)
“That Almighty God should derive delight from his own creation is significant in itself. But that the Holy One should experience ecstasy over the sinner is incomprehensible.
God breaking out in singing!
God joyful with delight!
All because of you.”—O. Palmer Robertson (NICOT, Zephaniah p.340)
D. The Coming Great Reversal: God’s restoration of all that we have lost (3:18-20).
