Paraphrase God-given repentance leads to joyful fellowship with God.  God is instructing the repentant to rejoice, but God is already rejoicing.  He is delighting in the repentant, He is quieting His people with His love, and He is singing over them with rejoicing.  These people are the meek, humble, and trusting (3:12).  These are the people who have been purified, called on the Name of the Lord, and have received forgiveness of sins.  God is speaking to repentant Jerusalem. What do I Learn about God? GOD LOVES REPENTANCE!!!  GOD LOVES MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY;  GOD LOVES HIS PEOPLE TRUSTING IN HIM!!!...

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Paraphrase Study – Where is Cush and her rivers (3:10) – It seems to be the upper Nile region, but I have always assumed it to be Babylon. God’s consuming fire (3:8) will simultaneously purify the lips of God’s people so that they may call on the name of the Lord and be fit to serve Him (regeneration).  God’s worshippers are scattered outside Israel (in Egypt? – So what is the time-frame? à Josiah 640-609 B.C.)  On the face of it, it looks like Jerusalem is so wicked and devoid of desire for God that God has to look elsewhere...

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Paraphrase Jerusalem is the city of oppressors.  Her wickedness is broad.  She obeys no one; she accepts no correction; she does not trust the Lord; she does not draw near to God.  Her officials devour all the wealth and her prophets are arrogant liars who use their office for personal gain.  Even with God in their midst their wickedness does not slow down.  Therefore, God judged the surrounding nations as a warning to Jerusalem, but she would not fear God or head His correction.  God extended His entreaties of mercy but they were still eager to act corruptly in all...

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Paraphrase Study: Where is Ammon? When God judges His people His wrath generally extends out toward Israel’s enemies as well.  So Philistia will be destroyed and left desolate.  But Israel, who is likewise being judged, will inherit Philistia.  It seems that Philistia is being judged for their cruelty to Israel.  Cush will likewise be crushed.  Assyria will also be left desolate.  (Note the change to the third person singular – The pronoun change actually comes at verse 11 where Zephaniah seems to take back over the narration).  Animals will inherit Assyria.  (Also note in verse 11 where it is said...

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Paraphrase The day of the Lord's wrath is near and will come relentlessly when it arrives.  It will be a time of unmitigated disaster.  Nothing will be able to stop it nor will anyone be spared.  Although it is a judgment against Judah and Jerusalem, it is spoken of in terms of a world-wide scope.  Judah is called a shameful nation and they are entreated to seek the Lord before the judgment arrives.  But even then, the righteous are not guaranteed fo complete avoidance of God's wrath. What do I Learn about God? God is always seeking our repentance and...

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