Zephaniah was one of the twelve minor prophets. His ministry was in the southern kingdom Judah. It began some time before the religious reforms of King Josiah. Today, we are reading the last section of Zephaniah. The prophet consoled the people, telling them that the Lord was in their midst (Zephaniah 3:5a, 15b, 17a). He would remove judgments against them.
Now is not a time of judgment but a time of grace. God has tried to be fair to Satan. That explains why Jesus has to suffer and died on the cross. But in the end, God shall cast out Satan, the enemy. The Accuser has prevailed for long enough. God must intervene to save us.
The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more(Zephaniah 3:15).
What then is salvation? It is God in our midst. That was what Paul had in mind when he asked the following rhetoric question.
When God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31b)
That is why we shall fear evil no more because God is on our side.
The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more(Zephaniah 3:15).
What then is salvation? It is God in our midst. That was what Paul had in mind when he asked the following rhetoric question.
When God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31b)
That is why we shall fear evil no more because God is on our side.
Zephaniah 3:17 is another verse of salvation. It tries to explain what life in salvation is like. But different versions offer different translations!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (RSV)
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing (KJV).
RSV seems to refer to LXX in her translation.
καὶ καινιεῖ σε ἐν τῇ ἀγαπήσει αὐτοῦ (And shall revive you in his affection).
KJV follows MT in her translation.
יַחֲרִישׁ בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ (he will be silent in his love)
So, which one is the correct interpretation? Will God be silent / take a rest in His love? or Will God revive / renew you?
Personally, I prefer the RSV interpretation. God's love is transformative. He redeems us with His love through Christ.
The KJV translation seems to reflect a contemplative state. Both God and I are engaged in a silent encounter. There is no more language around. God is the giver of this love. Out of His initiative, He poured out His Love.
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (RSV)
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing (KJV).
RSV seems to refer to LXX in her translation.
καὶ καινιεῖ σε ἐν τῇ ἀγαπήσει αὐτοῦ (And shall revive you in his affection).
KJV follows MT in her translation.
יַחֲרִישׁ בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ (he will be silent in his love)
So, which one is the correct interpretation? Will God be silent / take a rest in His love? or Will God revive / renew you?
Personally, I prefer the RSV interpretation. God's love is transformative. He redeems us with His love through Christ.
The KJV translation seems to reflect a contemplative state. Both God and I are engaged in a silent encounter. There is no more language around. God is the giver of this love. Out of His initiative, He poured out His Love.
Dear Lord, when You are in our midst, we are all safe. Be with us always to guide us home. Amen.
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