God With Us (Zephaniah 3:16-18)

Sermon preached on 11th September 2009 as part of a communion season in congregation.

The prophet Zephaniah ministered in Judah during the days of King Josiah (1:1). Zephaniah had been born during the reign of Josiah’s grandfather, Manasseh, but in the amazing grace of God the future prophet had been reared in a godly line, perhaps even descending from King Hezekiah himself. This is a reminder to us that God is preparing his servants even in the darkest of times for future service in his kingdom.

As we know, the days of Josiah were days of reformation and revival and it is possible to trace the influence of Zephaniah’s messages in the activities of the godly king. No doubt, these messages were of great encouragement to the king as he made his reforms. Yet, as was often the case in Israel’s history, the period of reform and recovery only lasted a short time and eventually the nation of Judah was banished by God into the Babylonian exile. Only a small remnant would be left in the land. The Lord also gave wonderful prophecies about the return from the exile.

The prophet urged the people of Judah to look forward to a time when the presence of God would be known by his people in a powerful and personal manner. Zephaniah gives several details by which we are enabled to identify the period he has in mind.

First, he says in verse 8 that it will be a time of divine judgement for the nations of the earth (God likens himself to a king summoning disobedient subjects before him to receive the penalty for their defiance).

Second, he says in verse 9 that the Gentiles will learn how to address God (until then their words described the false gods of unclean idolatries).

Third, he says in verse 10 that nations far away from Palestine will embrace the God of Israel.

Fourth, he informs the people of God that they will know security from their enemies (vv. 13, 15).

Fifth, he says that the Lord would be present with his people (v. 15).

As we think of these five details, we have to ask ourselves, ‘Which period is the prophet describing?’ Which period contains universal judgements, gospel blessing, security for God’s people, and the presence of the King of heaven among them? The answer to our question is the period between the two comings of Jesus. The past two thousand years have seen divine judgements (including the recent financial crises), have seen the Gentiles learning to pray to God, have seen people groups from distant places coming to worship him, have seen the cause of Christ persevere, and have see King Jesus present with his people throughout these centuries. So, in other words, Zephaniah is describing the blessings of the Christian church.

Therefore, I would like us to consider these verses as they apply to us at this time of communion. You may ask, How can we link them to our communion season? Obviously, the words are not limited to a communion season, but will apply to any suitable occasion. Nevertheless, the prophet does link God’s promises with those who gather together for a feast at which God has promised his presence (v. 18), and if there is one detail that is markedly true of the Lord’s Supper, it is that the presence of Jesus is known at it.

The manner of the presence of God
Zephaniah mentions three features of the Lord’s presence. First, he is present in power; second, he is present in love; third, he is present in joy. Or we can say that he is present as a Warrior, as a Bridegroom, and as a Musician/Poet.

The Warrior
When we think of Jesus as a Warrior, several ideas come to mind. The role of a Warrior is to defend his people and defeat their foes. Jesus is the Champion that was promised in the Garden of Eden, the One who would come and crush the head of the serpent. This he did on the battlefield of Calvary where he overcame all the powers of darkness and robbed them of their power against his people. On the cross, he dealt with their sins, those sins of which the devil accused them and for which he demanded that they be punished. Simultaneously, and this enables us to grasp how great a Warrior he is, he bore the wrath of God against the sin of his people and paid their penalty. He became a curse, the Unknown Soldier, who won the greatest victory of all.

Jesus is present with his people as a Warrior, assuring them of his strength and power which is able to protect them as they make their way through hostile territory to the Father’s house. Along the way they will be attacked, and sometimes wounded when they cease to wear the heavenly armour, but Jesus the Warrior enables them to be more than conquerors.

Not only does he give them the benefits of his past victory and the comforts of his present victories, but he also assures them of the certainty of his future victories. The day is coming when he will defeat death, that great enemy, and banish evil, including the devil, out of God’s domain. Jesus meets with his people, and with us at this communion time, to assure them of his triumph.

The Lover
The Warrior is also present as the Bridegroom, the Lover of his people. He comes to receive their love, and he comes to communicate his love. His love is a joyful love, filled with gladness because he is in the presence of his beloved. We will reflect on his joy shortly, but in the meantime let us note some details about his love.

First, it is a love that removes terror and tension. This is stated by the prophet when he says that the divine Lover will quiet his people by his love. The main cause of their fear is their sins, and often their secret sins. These secret sins are unknown to others but they are the plague of the hearts of believers. They are concerned because they know that their King, since he is omniscient, knows about them as well. Further, they are concerned because their sins are often done in spite of their membership of his family. Yet he draws near and whispers to them that their sins are all forgiven because of his atoning death. Looking at the wounds of Christ and listening to his words of love calms the distressed heart.

Second, it is a love that produces a sense of wonder. Often the best way to express astonishment is to say nothing because words cannot describe the appropriate response. Words seem futile to a person looking at the majesty of the Grand Canyon or exploring the heavens through a telescope. Similarly, our words cannot express the fullness of wonder that is within our hearts as we see once again the great love of the King. In his presence, we let him speak of his love and quietly adore him.

Third, it is a love that produces satisfaction. It is a basic necessity of humans that they receive love and give love. Often this does not happen because of selfishness and sin. The ultimate state of satisfaction is reached when love is enjoyed by the recipient of love. Here are God’s people, and they have once again seen the love of their Master. Their searching hearts have found what they need. Perhaps they have looked for it elsewhere – in things, in people, even in the church of his disciples. Even good things do not satisfy, and they say, ‘There must be more.’ But as they bask in the sunshine of his love, they have no words because they have found what they are looking for.

The Poet/Musician
The third image of God that is used by the prophet is that of a joyful Singer. Jesus composes songs which he sings to his Beloved. Many of these songs are found in the Bible and it does our hearts good to reflect on them, especially when we recall that they are the songs of the exultant Saviour. Psalm 22:22 reminds us that the risen Jesus leads the praise of the heavenly assembly and his melodious voice fills the corridors of heaven.

There is also a personal contact made by Jesus to each of his people. This communication is made through the Holy Spirit when he brings the promises of the Word to the hearts of his disciples. But as we read these promises we should ask ourselves, ‘In what way is Jesus saying these words?’ We should remind ourselves that Jesus is singing them. When the Bible describes the beauty of a penitent sinner who is bemoaning himself, remember the words are the songs of Jesus, coming from his glad heart as he describes the beauty of his beloved. A proverb tells us that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Jesus sees his people, and the sight of their various beauties sends him into raptures.

In a sense, this is what Jesus will do this weekend. The Lord’s Supper is a unique way by which he expresses his love. He will be here observing us, and when he sees our penitence for our sins, our trust in his abilities, our longing for his presence, and our dedication to serve him, he expresses great joy and begins a song. What is experienced here below is a foretaste of the heavenly world where peace and joy will be described continually through the medium of song.

The recipients of this divine visit
Who are the people to whom this wonderful visit is given? Zephaniah gives us several descriptions.

First, they have fears about themselves (v. 16). These fears can be many, and not every Christian has the same fear. The reason for fear is a weakness of some kind which causes them to distrust themselves. If that is a description of you, then Jesus wants to visit you at the Lord’s Table.

Second, they are marked by mourning. The particular reason for sadness that is mentioned by the prophet is distress at what has happened to the public worship of God (v. 18). Of course, there are many other causes of spiritual mourning. If we are in this category, we should come and meet with Jesus at his table. Even concern because we are not mourning sufficiently is a reason for meeting with him.

Third, they are despised by the world (v. 18). The things that are precious to them are derided by society and they don’t know where to turn. Sometimes they wonder why this is the case, why the almighty Warrior, the ardent Lover and the delighted Singer does not seem to be concerned. Therefore, it is important for such to come and meet with him at the Lord’s Table and receive further assurance that things will not always be like this. The prophet reminded his hearers that their King would yet make them ‘renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth’ (v. 20).

The Lord’s Supper, a meeting with the triumphant Warrior, the tender Lover and the thrilled Singer, is for those who have fears and doubts, who mourn for their sins, whose heart is affected by the disdain that society has for Zion. If you come, you will find good for your souls.