Punishment for the evil committed in Jerusalem
3
📚Woe to her who is filthy and polluted,to the oppressing city 📖!
2 📚She has not obeyed God’s voice;
she has not received correction;
she has not trusted in the LORD;
she has not drawn near to her God.
3 📚Her princes within her are
roaring lions;
her judges are evening wolves;
they leave no bone to gnaw
to the morning.
3:3 The weak and helpless were their prey.⚜
4 📚Her prophets are light,
treacherous persons.
Her priests have defiled
the sanctuary,
they have done violence to the law.
3:4 These prophets were false prophets. Compare Jer 5:31; 14:14; 23:16, 32. The work of the priests was to teach God’s law and see that the people practiced it – Deut 31:9-13; 2 Chron 17:8-9; Jer 2:8; 23:11.⚜
5 📚The just 📖 LORD is in her midst 📖.
He will do no evil.
Each morning he brings his justice
to light; he does not fail.
But the unjust know no shame 📖.
God’s punishment on other nations
6 📚“I have cut off nations.
Their towers are in ruins.
I made their streets desolate
so that no one passes through them.
Their cities are destroyed,
so that there is no man,
no inhabitant.
3:6 God speaks and gives an illustration of the justice He works in the earth.⚜
7 📚I said, ‘If only you would fear me
and receive instruction’,
so that their dwelling place 📖
would not be cut off,
in all that I laid on them.
But they rose early 📖 and corrupted
all their deeds.
8 📚Therefore wait for me 📖,
says the LORD,
until the day that I rise up
for plunder.
For my decision is to gather
the nations,
to assemble the kingdoms,
to pour out on them my indignation,
all my fierce anger 📖.
For the whole earth will be devoured 📖
by the fire of my jealousy.
3:1-8 The prophet now speaks of Jerusalem – this is the only city of which it could be said that the LORD (Jehovah God) was in it – v 5.⚜
9 📚For then I will restore to the people
a pure language,
that they may all call on the name
of the LORD,
The well-being of the Jews after returning to the land
to serve him with one consent.
10 📚From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
my worshippers,
the daughter of my dispersed 📖,
will bring my offering 📖.
11 📚In that day you 📖 will not be put
to shame for any of your deeds,
by which you have transgressed
against me,
for then I will take away from your
midst those who rejoice
in your pride,
and you will no longer be haughty
on my holy mountain.
12 📚I will also leave a humble
and lowly people in your midst,
and they will trust in the name
of the LORD.
13 📚The remnant 📖 of Israel will do
no evil or speak lies,
nor will a deceitful tongue be found
in their mouth.
They will feed their flocks
and lie down,
and no one will make them afraid”.
The blessings to come to the people of Israel
14 📚Sing, O daughter of Zion 📖!
Shout, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with
all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 📚The LORD has taken away
judgments on you,
he has cast out your enemy.
The king of Israel 📖, the LORD,
is in your midst.
You will see no more disaster.
16 📚In that day 📖 it will be said
to Jerusalem, “Do not fear”,
and to Zion, “Do not
let your hands hang limply 📖”.
17 📚The LORD your God in your
midst is mighty.
He will save 📖 you,
he will rejoice 📖 over you with joy,
he will rest in his love 📖,
he will rejoice over you
with singing 📖.
3:17 A great verse showing the joy and satisfaction God has in His people. This will be true in the future of Jerusalem and its people. It is true now of believers in Christ.⚜
18 📚“I will gather those among you
who grieve for the appointed
assembly,
to whom the scorning of
it was a burden.
3:18 God speaks and comforts His people.⚜
19 📚See, at that time I will deal
with all who trouble you 📖,
and I will save the lame,
and gather those who were
driven out;
and I will see that they get praise
and fame in every land where
they have been put to shame.
20 📚At that time I will bring you back,
at the time that I gather you.
For I will give you a name and
praise among all the peoples
of the earth,
when I restore you from captivity 📖
before your eyes, says the LORD.