Zephaniah means hidden of the Lord. He lived in Josiah’s reign, and co-operated with that king in his efforts to put down idolatry. His prophecy deals with the sins that were rife in Judah and the fearful retribution that would be inflicted through the Chaldeans. Approaching destruction, vs. 2-6. The Chemarim, R.V., were idolatrous priests dressed in black garments. Maleam is Mileom or Moloch. Notice the successive classes of those who were to suffer in the overthrow. They constitute a series of concentric circles, narrowing down at last to those who had turned back, and to those who had never sought the Lord. The invaders, vs. 7-18. The guests whom God invited to the banquet were Nebuchadnezzar and his soldiers! They marched in through the Fish Gate; and, as they advanced, ery after cry arose from the affrighted populace, driven from quarter to quarter. Maktesh, v. 11, was probably the Vale of Siloam, where the merchant princes dwelt or pursued their business. None would be able to elude the coming vengeance. Those that affected foreign attire, or leaped across the threshold in superstition, or practiced deceit, would have to pay dearly for their sins. Fulfilled in the overthrow of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, and afterward by Titus, these words will always stand for the inevitable national sufferings which follow national crimes.

Zephaniah 2. The nation, on the whole, had no remorse, no desire for God; but there were a few meek and lowly souls, and the hope was held out to them that they would be hidden from the coming overthrow. God discriminates in his judgments, and sends his angels to conduct Lot out of Sodom. The judgment

of the surrounding nations occupies vs. 4-18. Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia and Assyria, are mentioned. God never forgets the treatment meted out to his people by their foes, vs. 8-10. The captivity of Israel would be turned again, but there was no hope of recovery for the peoples that had rejoiced in their overthrow. What a picture is given in y. 11 of famished gods! It seemed incredible that great Nineveh should become a wilderness, yet so it has been for centuries. Whenever an individual or nation dwells carelessly, destruction is not far away.

Zephaniah 8. The sins of Jerusalem, vs. 1-7. Uninfluenced by judgments upon other nations, Jerusalem pursued her course, morally impure, oppressive, refusing instruction, estranged from God. Yet God still dwelt in the city which he had chosen. Morning by morning his Spirit was appealing for repentance and righteousness. Through his faithful ones he was still shedding the light and glory of a holier civilization through the community, but the population at large refused to heed.

The effects of cleansing judgment, vs. 8-20. These closing verses are marked by great tenderness, showing as they do, the results that God’s dealings are designed to effect. A pure life; service with one consent; the trust of the afflicted soul in the love of God; the weaning of the heart from all iniquity—what great and lovely results of that long captivity! Let God have his way with you! He will change your sorrow into songs; will cast out your enemies and turn again your captivity; will manifest his infinite love, now in brooding tenderness, and then in outbursting songs. Those who have been filled with sorrow, and have borne the burden of reproach for God, shall be comforted. Even the halt and exiled shall participate, and become a name and a praise. The captives wend be liberated and the dispersed would be gathered

(a) What are the two main divisions of the book? (b) Against what nations is judgment pronounced?

it intended? (e) What comforting message does Zephaniah bring?

SECTIONS 1—3. CHAPTERS 1—3. (Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.)