Turning shame into praise and fame

In today’s passage, the return of the people of Israel is promised (v 18). (1) God will gather “those who are worried” to Zion. They are those who had been separated from the appointed feasts. The appointed feasts refer to the festivals of Israel described in Leviticus 23, some of which will also be celebrated in the Messianic Kingdom. Verse 18 prophesies that the people of Israel will once again celebrate these appointed feasts. (2) They are those who came from Zion. (3) The phrase “Exile is a burden on them” should be understood in the past tense: “exile was a burden (a heavy shame) upon Zion.” In other words, the people of Israel will be freed from shame and will become an honored people. Furthermore, verse 19 says: “Behold, I am going to deal at that time with all your oppressors; I will save those who limp and gather the scattered, and I will turn their shame into praise and fame in all the earth.” (1) In the last days, all the enemies of the people of Israel will be punished. (2) On that day, just as sheep are gathered by a shepherd, “the lame” and “the scattered” will be gathered to Zion.(3) The shame of the people of Israel will be turned into honor, and their name will be praised throughout the earth.

God’s promise

Zephaniah 2:1-3 prophesied that the people of Israel would return in unbelief (a return for judgment). In contrast to that, verse 20 prophesies a return for the purpose of receiving blessing. “‘At that time I will bring you in, even at the time when I gather you together; indeed, I will make you famous and praiseworthy among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,’ says the Lord.” (1) The people of Israel will return to the Promised Land in faith. (2) At that time, the Lord will make the people of Israel famous and praiseworthy among all the peoples of the earth. Zephaniah closes this prophetic book with a promise of blessing. The lesson we should learn from this book is that God’s promises will never change. Even for Israel, which is judged because of sin, hope remains. In the end times, they will be restored to the Promised Land. All the promises God has given to us will be fulfilled. Blessed are those who fully believe this.