Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Zephaniah
Book: Zephaniah
Chapter: 2
Overview:
An exhortation to
Repentance.
(1-3) Judgments upon other
nations.
(4-15)
1-3 The
Prophet calls to national
Repentance, as the only way
to prevent national ruin. A nation not desiring, that has not
desires toward
God, is not desirous of his favour and
Grace, has
No mind to repent and reform. Or, not desirable, not having any
thing to recommend them to
God; to whom
God might justly say,
Depart from me; but he says, Gather together to me that you may
seek my
Face. We know what
God's decree will bring against
impenitent sinners, therefore it highly concerns all to repent
in the accepted time. How careful should we all be to seek peace
with
God, before the Holy
Spirit withdraws from us, or ceases to
strive with us; before the
Day of
Grace is over, or the
Day of
Life; before our
Everlasting state is determined! Let the
Poor,
despised, and afflicted, seek the
Lord, and seek to understand
and keep his
Commandments better, that they may be more humbled
for their sins. The chief
Hope of deliverance from national
judgments rests upon
Prayer.
4-15 Those are really in a woeful condition who have the
Word of
the
Lord against them, for
No Word of his shall fall to the
ground.
God will restore his people to their rights, though long
kept from them. It has been the common
Lot of
God's people, in
all ages, to be reproached and reviled.
God shall be worshipped,
not only
By all
Israel, and the strangers who join them, but
By
the
Heathen. Remote nations must be reckoned with for the wrongs
done to
God's people. The sufferings of the insolent and haughty
in prosperity, are unpitied and unlamented. But all the
desolations of flourishing nations will make way for the
overturning
Satan's kingdom. Let us improve our advantages, and
expect the performance of every promise, praying that our
Father's name may be hallowed every where, over all the
Earth.