Zephaniah 3

A. How a godly city has fallen vs 1

1. The city brings shame to itself

2. The city wrongs it neighbors and inhabitants

3. The city is very provoking to God vs 2

B. How bad the city is being lead vs 3

1. The princes are ravenous as roaring lions

2. The judges are evening wolves

3. The prophets are treacherous people

4. The priests are betrayers

C. We see the corruption of all orders of men in Jerusalem vs 5-7

1. Even knowing of God, they persisted in disobedience vs 5

   a. They had the honor of the Shechinah Glory

   vs. Deuteronomy 23:14

   b. They had God's own example set before them

   c. He sent His prophets to the people

   vs. Isaiah 5:4

2. God had set monuments of His justice to give them warning vs 6

   vs. Leviticus 18:28

3. He set before them life and death, good and evil, in His word

   a. He assured them of continuance if they feared Him and received instruction

   b. He made them feel the rod, though kept them from the sword

D. He sends vengeance against His enemies vs 8

E. He amends what is wrong in His church through restoration and revival

1. There should be a reformation in men with grace vs 9

2. That the worship of God will be closely applied

   vs. James 3:9-12

3. Those that were away from God shall return to Him vs 10

   a. They'll bring their humble petitions

   vs. Job 9:15

   b. They'll bring their spiritual sacrifices

   vs. Romans 12:1

4. The sin and sinners shall be purged from them vs 11

   a. Their just reproach

   vs. Ezekiel 16:63

b. Their unjust glorying

vs. Jeremiah 7:4

5. That God will have a remnant of holy, humble, serious people vs 12

vs. Romans 11:4-5

6. This select remnant shall be blessed with purity and peace vs 13

a. They shall be blessed with purity, both in words and actions

b. They shall be blessed with peace

F. An end shall be put to their troubles and distresses vs 15

G. God will show His presence to them

1. He is the King of Israel

   vs. John 1:49

2. He is the Lord thy God

3. He is the Almighty God

4. He is our Saviour!!

H. God will take delight in them and in doing them good vs 17

I. God will comfort the mourners vs 18

1. God will give them joy even in sorrow

2. What the sorrows are in Zion

   a. Because they are dispersed

   b. Because they are despised

J. God will recover the captives from their oppressors vs 19-20

1. Their enemies shall be blocked from detaining them

2. They shall recover their liberty despite the difficulties

K. God will by all this put honor and respect about them

vs. Deuteronomy 26:19

1. Even Israel's enemies will be made to respect them

2. Even those nations that never knew her shall honor her

   vs. Zechariah 8:23