1. Zephaniah 3:14–20 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What makes 3:14–20 stand apart from all that precedes?

Zephaniah 3:14–20 (ESV)

14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

The final section of the prophecy is dramatically different from the earlier words (although there are foreshadowings of blessing in Zephaniah 2:3, Zephaniah 2:7, Zephaniah 2:9; Zephaniah 3:9–13). This final section contains a message of hope and encouragement. This distinctly different tone comes about because, as it were, the faithful have passed through judgment, and so the people of God may sing for joy at the goodness of the Lord.1 As one author described the distinct character of these final verses, one of the most awesome descriptions of the wrath of God in judgment found anywhere in Scripture appears in the opening verses of Zephaniah.… One of the most moving descriptions of the love of God for his people found anywhere in Scripture appears in the closing verses of Zephaniah.2