At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lᴏʀᴅ. (Zephaniah 3:20)
Zephaniah was one of Yahweh’s prophets of judgment, who foretold the day of the Lᴏʀᴅ — both the near day of judgment against Judah (Zephaniah 1:4–13; 2:2; 3:7) and the future day of judgment against the entire world (Zephaniah 1:1–3, 14–18; 3:8).
Such warnings, however, only provided the context for the book’s main purpose, which was to muster tireless trust in God’s faithfulness to preserve and ultimately satisfy his believing remnant, even through judgment. Zephaniah’s summons to submit by “seeking” and “waiting upon” Yahweh becomes a summons to satisfaction, culminating in the joy of the redeemed in their King and in his salvation, and the joy of the Savior in those whom he has saved (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:8, 14–15, 17).
This post originally appeared at desiringgod.org. You can read the entire post at the Desiring God blog by clicking on the following link: We Are Made for Praise
