Sermon Tone Analysis

*Zephaniah 6**.*

I am no expert on gems, but apparently, when you display diamonds it is best to place them on black velvet *[P]* – the luster and brightness are best appreciated against the contrasting dark background that absorbs all the light.

The gleam and brightness is seen in all its glory.

And we come to a real gem here in God’s Word today – but the brightness of this gem is only truly appreciated against the context of the dark background.

Turn to Zephaniah chapter 3. We tend not to be that familiar with the Minor Prophets – in fact, if you are like me, there is probably only one verse you know from the book of Zephaniah.

We know it for good reason – it is a wonderful message from יְהוָה, also because it was set to music, we sing it, or used to.

*[P]* I remember vividly the first time I came across this verse.

It was back in the 70’s, those heady days when the Spirit of God was doing a wonderful work in NZ.

There was a renewed interest in the things of God; people were into God’s Word, excited about it and putting it into song – what became known as Scripture in Song.

It has been called the Charismatic movement but there were people who had been going along to church for years and suddenly they had a new and fresh interest in the things of God, it wasn’t just religion, it was real and vital.

Of course the Penties had known about it for years.

But there were people from traditional churches going along to places where there were these Pentecostal preachers doing all sorts of weird and wonderful things, wanting to find out what was happening – curious and, I think, thirsty.

Well, our family was attending a little Assembly at the time and Dad and Mum went along to what was known as the “Wild Life Centre” – do you remember it?

– meeting in the old Horticultural hall in Cambridge terrace?

They went, and we kids were dragged along too.

I had no interest, I didn’t want to go, but in those days children did as their parents wanted.

Well, what a culture shock!

I was used to a service with hymns sung from a book, you stood up, sang (or mouthed the words), sat down – 15 minutes singing, 20 max.

Well, these people never sat down!

And the singing went on for over an hour!

We would sing 4 or 5 hymns (with no music) they had loud band and they only sang one song!

Not even a hymn with verses!

One chorus sung over and over again!

I mean I’d got the words and tune by the second time through and certainly had it memorized by the fourth time through!

They had hardly started!

If we sang it once, we must have sung it 2 dozen times!

Over and over again they sang this one song, me standing interminably, looking at the pillars, wondering when they were going to stop!

I can look back and laugh now.

God’s got a sense of humour too, because He knew that some years on I’d be there singing in the Spirit with the rest of them as part of a Pentecostal fellowship.

But there is something about that repetition, the Word of God getting written deep within – meditating upon it.

And what was this song that they were singing over and over, that I had never heard before?

It was this verse from *[P]* [*Zephaniah 3:17* /The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He will joy over thee with singing/.]

– word for word from the King James Version.

So let’s have a look at these final verses in the book of Zephaniah *[P]*.

But let me first lay down the black velvet and remind you of the context we have looked at over these last months: The major theme of Zephaniah is the Day of יְהוָה *[P]* – a coming judgement *[P]*, where יְהוָה will gather the nations; the fire of His wrath will be unleashed and bring the destruction of all things *[P]*.

Last time we looked at the hopeless state of Jerusalem, יְהוָה’s people who refused to respond to Him.

But יְהוָה’s plans will not be thwarted, He remains righteous and just and will not fail – He will save and preserve a remnant, *[P]* a humble lowly people who trust in Him alone to save them.

So there is a remnant in Jerusalem, in Zion, who escape the terrible judgement, wrath and destruction that destroys the world.

What a relief, what a joy to come through all that unscathed!

Here is the response to this great and almighty deliverance.

The greatest escape and rescue ever!

[*Zephaniah 3:14-20* /Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

יְהוָה has taken away His judgments against you, He has cleared away your enemies.

The King of Israel, יְהוָה, *is in your midst*; you will fear disaster no more.

In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not be afraid, O Zion; do not let your hands fall limp.

“*יְהוָה your God is in your midst*, a victorious warrior.

He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

“I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts — they came from you, O Zion; the reproach of exile is a burden on them.

“Behold, I am going to deal at that time with all your oppressors, I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.

“At that time I will bring you in, even at the time when I gather you together; indeed, I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says יְהוָה/.]

“/In that day/” (Zeph 3:16); “/At that time/” (Zeph 3:19 1x, Zeph 3:20 2x) – It is speaking about a specific time – the prophecy is talking about the day of יְהוָה *[P]*.

As much as we love the verse and apply it to ourselves – primarily it is speaking, in context, about the day of the LORD.

*Zephaniah 3:14** [P] */Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!/* *– It will be a wonderful time!

“Zion”; “Israel”; “Jerusalem” – it is clear who the prophecy is about.

But look at Jerusalem in (Zeph 3:1-4)!

She is rebellious, tyrannical, defiled, unresponsive, far from God.

But now יְהוָה is in her midst!

Hallelujah! (Zeph 3:15; Zeph 3:17).

Now she is called: "/Daughter/ of Zion" "/Daughter/ of Jerusalem" – indicating relationship, nearness – יְהוָה is her Father, tenderly caring for one delicate and beautiful.

Evil and pride have been destroyed; peace, prosperity, security, righteousness and justice established for the faithful remnant who make יְהוָה their refuge.

Praise will pour forth from them for the wonderful things that יְהוָה has accomplished – it is all His doing.

All praise and glory to His Name!

He has come to reign, defeated all those that have gathered together in united battle against Jerusalem.

Praise is the character of the Messianic Kingdom!

Hallelujah!

It is a time of great joy and exultant praise under Jesus’ rule!

It is whole-hearted joy.

It pours forth spontaneously, unreservedly!

Long the poor and weak have suffered, now their joy has come!

The contrast is so wonderful!

It is the shout of triumph – the final victory over all her enemies.

Having been down-trodden for so long, so many wars (cf.

Israel’s history), now there is true peace, true security, the full inheritance in the land promised so long ago has come!

Jesus has done it!

The Messiah rules!

There is none to oppress them any longer.

Suffering is over, joy is complete!

(cf.

Rev 22:3; 21:3-7).

The call goes out for the daughters of Zion to rejoice!

Why?

Because her King has come!

Hallelujah! (cf.

*Zechariah 9:9* /Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey/.).

It is a noisy time!

As shouts and cries of joy go up!

You know, we can be so restrained and dignified (“praise the Lord”).

But when you are on the verge of destruction at the hand of the united nations of the world, when you are doomed, and suddenly, miraculously Jesus comes and wipes them out with the breath of His coming!

You are alive!

You are saved!

Jesus has come!

God has done it!

You rejoice!

You shout and you don’t care!

Some of you may be old enough to remember the street celebration of VE day – the war was over!

There was exuberant celebration; great rejoicing that couldn’t be contained.

But the victory then is nothing compared to the victory that יְהוָה has won!

Hallelujah!

All His foes are defeated!