Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 3:2
She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
2. She obeyed not the voice ] i.e. the voice of God by the prophets. Jer 7:23; Jer 22:21.
she received not correction ] Or, instruction, Jer 5:3. Comp. Jer 7:28, “This is the nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord, nor receiveth correction.” Ch. Jer 32:33.
trusted not in the Lord ] Faith was always greatly insisted on by the prophets as the essential thing in religion; Isa 7:9, “if ye will not believe ye shall not be established;” Jer 17:7, “Blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord.” Cf. Isa 10:20; Isa 17:7; Isa 30:18.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
She obeyed not the Voice – Of God, by the law or the prophets, teaching her His ways; and when, disobeying, He chastened her, she received not correction, and when He increased His chastisements, she, in the declining age of the state and deepening evil, turned not unto Him, as in the time of the judges, nor ceased to do evil.
In the Lord she trusted not – But in Assyria or Egypt or her idols. Our practical relation to God is summed up in the four words, Mis-trust self; trust God. Man reverses this, and when self-trust has of course failed him, then he mistrusts God . Such rarely ask of God, what they hope they may obtain from man. They strain every nerve of their soul to obtain what they want; canvass, flatter, fawn, bribe, court favor; and betake themselves to God when all human help fails. They would be indebted, not to God, but to their own diligence. For the more they receive of God, the less, they see, can they exalt their own diligence, the more they are bound to thank God, and obey Him the more strictly.
To her God she drew not nigh – Even in trouble, when all draw near unto Him, who are not wholly alien from Him; she drew not near by repentance, by faith hope or love, or by works meet for repentance, but in heart remained far from Him. And yet He was her own God, as He had shown Himself in times past, who changes not, while we change; is faithful to us, while we fail Him; is still our God, while we forget Him; waits, to have mercy upon us; shines on us while we interpose our earth-born clouds between us and Him. Dionysius: Not in body nor in place, but spiritually and inwardly do we approach to the uncircumscribed God, owning Him as our Father, to whom we daily say Our Father.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Zep 3:2
She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord.
Gods lamentations of His peoples incorrigibleness
There can be no doubt that the city mentioned in the first verse of this chapter is Jerusalem; and if we duly consider the whole description of its moral state, as detailed from Zep 3:1-4 inclusive, we shall be constrained to exclaim, How is the faithful city become an harlot! And to confirm this statement, we only need refer to the historical records of the two preceding reigns, to that of Josiah, at the beginning of the latter of which Zephaniah prophesied. Manasseh and Amen, the two preceding kings of Judah referred to, were flagrant idolaters, and filled Jerusalem with impiety, violence, and blood (2Ki 21:3-6; 2Ki 21:11; 2Ki 21:16; 2Ki 21:19; 2Ki 21:22). What a change in that city which had been called a city of righteousness! Well, indeed, might Jehovah say, Shall I not visit far these things, and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? Yes; and He assures them in verse 8 that He will punish them in an exemplary manner. The timely reformation of good King Josiah, however, averted the stroke for a time; but ultimately wrath came upon them to the uttermost.
I. That the four facts affirmed in the text are applicable to sinners of the present time, as well as to the Jews of old time. The facts alleged are the following–
1. Inattention to instruction, She obeyed not the voice. During the reign of Manasseh, God sent His prophets to remonstrate with the idolatrous king and His people, but they would not hear (2Ch 33:10). Their conduct in this matter seems to have disappointed Jehovah Himself, as is evident from verse 7: I said thou wilt fear Me, for thou wilt receive instruction, but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. Truly, then, They obeyed not the voice. The fact is asserted concerning them, Jer 22:21 : I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidst I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not My voice. Ministers preach, conscience reproves, the Holy Spirit strives, and Providence pleads against men; yet do they not hearken nor consider. Furthermore, the text alleges against them–
2. Incorrigibleness. She received not correction. For the confirmation of this part of the charge let us hear the prophet Jeremiah, Jer 5:3 : O Lord, are not Thine eyes upon the truth? Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. And if you would know how severely and repeatedly He had stricken them, read Amo 4:6-11, There you will find that Jehovah had stricken them by want of bread, scarcity of water, blasting mildew, palmer worms, pestilence, the sword, fire, and destruction; and yet, after all, had to say, Yet have ye not returned unto Me, saith the Lord. How impervious must have been their hearts to withstand all these corrective measures. Call to mind, ye hitherto incorrigible sinners, the afflictions, privations, losses, and troubles that have come upon you; still many of you have not yet heard the rod, nor Him that appointed it. Can all these things have come upon you by chance? Is there no meaning in them? He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Hear, therefore, and your souls shall live. Again, our text alleges against them–
3. Perfidy, or faithlessness towards God–She trusted not in the Lord. This stroke makes their moral portraiture darker still. In the days of their fidelity to the God of their forefathers, in seasons of perplexity, they had confided in the all-sufficiency of His wisdom, love, power, and faithfulness. But when they turned aside after other gods, in their straits and national troubles, they looked to man alone for succour and deliverance. Hence they are reproved for this by the prophet Isaiah (Isa 30:1; Isa 30:3; Isa 30:15-16, and Jer 2:18-36). Ah, how anxiously did they rely upon Egypt, Assyria, or any other heathen nation, in time of invasion, instead of trusting in their God. And, alas! is not this the conduct pursued by multitudes in the present day? In times of afflictive visitations they know not God, nor put their trust in Him. They look alone to human prudence and prowess; they weary themselves in the fire; but seek not unto Him who alone can save or deliver. But how frequently are they ashamed of their confidence, as was Israel of Egypt. No language can sufficiently describe the turpitude of this defection, from God. Finally, our text alleges against them–
4. Neglect of His worship. She drew not near to her God. There can be no doubt that by drawing near to God, His worship is meant (1Sa 4:36;. Psa 73:28; Heb 10:22). It appears that in the days of the prophet Isaiah they drew near with their lips; but now they had entirely relinquished the worship of Jehovah. Manasseh, and Amon his son, had uprooted the worship of the living and true God, and established the worship of idols instead thereof, having placed images and altars in the very house of the Lord (chap. Zep 1:4-5; 2Ki 21:3-7). Thus they forsook the Lord, and lightly esteemed the Rock of their salvation. Solemn feasts and daily sacrifices to her God no longer graced this city. Well, indeed, might He say, I will go and return to My place till they acknowledge their iniquity (Hos 5:15). I will forsake you (Jer 23:33). But what did these backsliders more than is done by multitudes in the present day? Have we need to go far to find those who walk in the same footsteps? First look at the scanty attendance at every place of worship; then visit those synagogues of Satan which abound in our land, and mark the crowds, the bustle, and the business there. We need not ask, do these draw near to God?
II. Give a general view of what is implied in this case.
1. An awful manifestation of wilful disobedience. The very facts here stated, as well as the manner of their being stated, demonstrate that all this was done by the Israelites contrary to the will of God. The doctrine of human free-agency is here, as in many other places of sacred writ, and also in the daily deportment of millions of transgressors, most decisively and irrefragably demonstrated.
2. A state of dreadful impiety. The allegations contained in the text are at variance with every thing like duty to God. There is no docility, reverence, affiance, nor devotion. Notwithstanding all God had done for that people, thus did they requite Him with hatred and disobedience. So enormous was their guilt that Jehovah exclaims, Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth,–I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me. But what shall be said concerning the flagrant impiety of vast numbers in our times? If possible, the latter outdoes the former. If we reflect on the vastly increased facilities we enjoy for knowing and serving God, can we hesitate to entertain this fact?
3. A view of the gradations of apostasy from God. When men depart from God, He reproves them secretly by His Spirit; if they proceed, He chastens them by various means; if they fly from Him still, and put their trust in men, He withdraws His Spirit, and frequently confirmed apostasy is the result. Let this serve as a warning beacon to us; for assuredly it is written for our admonition. Would we avoid this disgraceful conduct we must beware of turning away our ear from the warning voice of the Spirit.
4. A rational vindication of those signal acts of retribution which have fallen on incorrigible sinners at sundry times. Certainly the most appalling calamities have befallen the Jews at sundry times, especially by the Chaldeans and others of their surrounding nations, as well as the Romans. Yes, whenever God has arisen to shake terribly the nations, or sections of His Church, there has certainly been a cause; nor could that cause be other than what is indicated in our text. Apart from the necessary exercises of a probationary state, the unerring wisdom, pure benevolence, and impartial justice of our Sovereign God, necessarily prevent Him from wanton displays of His omnipotent power and terrible majesty. The just Lord, it was said of old, is in the midst of us, and He will not do iniquity. Rather than complain, therefore, when God cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth, be it our care to stand in awe and sin not; to humble ourselves under His mighty hand. Remark–
1. What a caution we have here against apostasy: in effect it says to professors of religion, awake to righteousness, and sin not.
2. What care and concern does the Almighty manifest in using so many endeavours for the preservation of His followers.
3. What an inducement for sinners to avail themselves of the mercy and forbearance of God.
4. How affecting the expressions of Gods regret at the infidelities and apostasies of His people. How pathetic His apostrophy, Why will ye die, O house of Israel? (G. W. Armitage.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 2. She obeyed not the voice] Of conscience, of God, and of his prophets.
She received not correction] Did not profit by his chastisements; was uneasy and ill-tempered under her afflictions, and derived no manner of good from these chastisements.
She trusted not in the Lord] Did not consider him as the Fountain whence all help and salvation should come; and rather sought for support from man and herself, than from God.
She drew not near to her God.] Did not worship him; did not walk in his ways; did not make prayer and supplication to him.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
She obeyed not the voice, of the law, her prophets or her faithful priests, (which were too few, yet some there were.) nor of God, by his mercy and judgments crying loud, warning, inviting, persuading to return.
She received not correction, or instruction, did not learn, would not be instructed; there is a meiosis in the words, she hated instruction, as that wicked one, Psa 50:17; Pro 5:12; 13:18.
She trusted not in the Lord; put her confidence in Egypt and Asshur, in any carnal refuges, rather than in her God; in her kings, princes, counsellors, warriors, and confederates, &c.
She drew not near to her God; when revolted did not return, when in distress did not seek him, did not draw near with prayer, &c.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. received not correctionJerusalemis incurable, obstinately rejecting salutary admonition, and refusingto be reformed by “correction” (Jer5:3).
trusted not in . . .LordDistrust in the Lord as if He were insufficient, is theparent of all superstitions and wickednesses [CALVIN].
drew not near to herGodThough God was specially near to her (De4:7) as “her God,” yet she drew not near to Him, butgratuitously estranged herself from Him.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
She obeyed not the voice,…. Of his servants the prophets, as the Targum, by way of explanation, adds, who warned her of her sins and of her ruin. The inhabitants of Jerusalem hearkened not to the voice of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, who gave notice of his coming; nor to the voice of Christ himself, who stretched out his hand all the day to a disobedient and gainsaying people; nor to the voice of his apostles, whose doctrines they contradicted and blasphemed; and put away the word of God from them, thereby judging themselves unworthy of eternal life:
she received not correction; by the rod, by the judgments of God upon her: or “instruction” y; by the Gospel preached to her inhabitants. So the Targum interprets it,
“she received not doctrine;”
the doctrine of baptism, repentance, and remission of sins, preached by John; but rejected the counsel of God by him against themselves, Lu 7:31 nor the doctrine and instruction of Christ and his apostles, though of more worth than gold and silver; but, on the contrary, slighted and despised it, and rejected it with the utmost contempt:
she trusted not in the Lord; not in the Word of the Lord, as the Targum; the essential Word, Christ Jesus; the Word made flesh, and dwelling among them; they trusted in the law of Moses, and in their obedience to it; in their rites and ceremonies, and in the observance of them, and the traditions of their elders; they trusted in the flesh, in their carnal privileges; in their own legal righteousness, and in themselves, that they were righteous, and despised others; and particularly the righteousness of Christ they submitted not unto; they trusted not in him, nor in that; though they were told, that, if they believed not that he was the Messiah, they should die in their sins:
she drew not near to her God; Immanuel, God manifest in the flesh, who was promised to the Jews, and sent unto them, whom their fathers expected, and whose God he was, and theirs also; being in his human nature of them, and God over all blessed for ever; so far were they from drawing near to him, and embracing, him, that they hid, as it were, their faces from him; they would not come to him for life and light, for grace, righteousness, and salvation; nor even to hear him preach, nor suffer others to do the same; but, as much as in them lay, hindered them from attending his ministry, word, and ordinances. The Targum is,
“she drew not nigh to the worship of her God.”
y “institutionem”, Drusius, Tarnovius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) Obeyed not the voice.Better, hearkened not to the voicei.e., of Jehovah, when He addresses her, as in Zep. 2:1-3. She trusts not in Jehovah, but in her own wealth (Zep. 1:12); she draws not nigh to her God, but to Baal and Moloch (Zep. 1:4-6).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Zep 3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
Ver. 2. She obeyed not the voice ] sc. Of her teachers, nor inclined her ear to them that instructed her, as Pro 5:13 . Hence she was so filthy and oppressive; who, if she had hearkened to wholesome counsel, and hidden the word of God’s grace in her heart, would have purified herself even as he is pure, 1Jn 3:3 , and not have exacted money and grain, but have left off that usury, Neh 5:10 .
She received not correction
She trusted not in the Lord
She drew not near to her God
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
she received not. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “neither hath she accepted”.
correction = discipline.
trusted = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69. Not the same word as in Zep 3:12.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
she drew not near, &c. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read “neither unto her God hath she drawn near”.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
trusted
(See Scofield “Psa 2:12”)
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
obeyed: Deu 28:15-68, Neh 9:26, Jer 7:23-28, Jer 22:21, Zec 7:11-14
she received: Isa 1:5, Jer 2:30, Jer 5:3, Eze 24:13
correction: or, instruction, Psa 50:17, Pro 1:7, Pro 5:12, Jer 32:33, Jer 35:13, Jer 35:17, Joh 3:18, Joh 3:19
she trusted: Psa 78:22, Isa 30:1-3, Isa 31:1, Jer 17:5, Jer 17:6
she drew: Psa 10:4, Isa 29:13, Isa 43:22, Heb 10:22
Reciprocal: Jdg 6:10 – ye have Isa 30:9 – this is Jer 7:28 – nor Jer 31:18 – Thou hast Eze 22:24 – General Hos 5:2 – a rebuker Mic 6:9 – Lord’s Zep 3:7 – Surely 1Co 11:32 – we are 2Th 3:14 – obey Rev 3:19 – many
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Zep 3:2. There were four things that Jerusalem should have done that she did not do, namely, obeyed, received, trusted and drew not near to her God. This combination of failures resulted in the anger of the Lord till he determined to bring swift judgment upon the city and its surrounding territory.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
There were four evidences that the people of Jerusalem had been rebellious against Yahweh (Zep 3:1). They had been unresponsive to the prophets whom God had sent them. They were unteachable and refused to accept any correction. They did not trust in Yahweh, and they did not draw near to God in repentance and prayer (cf. Zep 1:6).