ZEPHANIAH The Savior’s Summons to Satisfaction Jason S. DeRouchie, PhD Associate Professor of OT and Biblical Theology Bethlehem College & Seminary Bethlehem Baptist Church, Fall 2015

The dual basis of the charge to wait declared (3:8b–10) o Reason 1: The Lord’s purpose to judge all nations of the earth (3:8bc) o Reason 2: The Lord’s promise that through judgment will come a global restoration (3:9– 10) Timing (v. 9) Nature: purified speech (LXX = “tongue / language”), resulting in unified profession and service (v. 9) Background: Tower of Babel (Gen 11:9) Fulfillment: o A future for Cush (Ps 87:3–4) o NT?

Takeaway Embrace that the church fulfills OT hopes for a single reconciled community from every tribe and tongue (3:9–10; cf. Gen 12:3). o The early church in Acts? Pure speech/tongue/language (2:4) Calling on the name of the Lord (2:21, 38) Unity (2:42) Global impact (1:8) as far as ancient Ethiopia (8:26–40)

Overlap of the Ages

Takeaway Embrace that the church fulfills OT hopes for a single reconciled community from every tribe and tongue (3:9–10; cf. Gen 12:3). o The early church in Acts? o Jesus’ death initially fulfills Zeph 3:8bc for the elect (Rev 5:9), inaugurating new creation (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15). He is the substitute lamb of God (John 1:29) whose sacrifice saves us from the wrath of God (Rom 5:9–11).

o Christians are already offering sacrifices as God’s priests (1 Pet 2:5, 9) at the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22), but we still await when Jerusalem will come to earth (Rev 21:2).

Takeaway Embrace that the church fulfills OT hopes for a single reconciled community from every tribe and tongue (3:9–10; cf. Gen 12:3). Act on the fact that God saves worshippers without prejudice; the marvel of salvation should motivate missions (3:8–10; Rom 10:14–15, 17) Wait for the Lord to completely eradicate evil (3:8a; cf. 1 Pet 5:10)