Shout for joy, daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, Zion, do not be discouraged! 17 The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, Who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, Who will sing joyfully because of you, 18 as on festival days. I will remove disaster from among you, so that no one may recount your disgrace.
Zephaniah, a prophet in Judah during King Josiah's reign (640–609 BC), proclaimed the "Day of the Lord" as a time of judgment and redemption, calling for repentance and trust in God’s mercy. This passage highlights God’s promise to dwell "in your midst," fulfilled in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. During Advent, Christians celebrate this fulfillment, anticipating Christ's saving presence among His people.
Zephaniah calls the people of Jerusalem, referred to as "daughter Zion," to rejoice with great joy, celebrating God’s faithfulness to them (cf. Isaiah 12:6). The divine judgment that punished them for their sins has been lifted and God has turned away all that oppressed His people, including external threats—whether physical, political, or spiritual. This deliverance foreshadows the ultimate victory over spiritual enemies—sin, death, and the devil—fulfilled through Christ.
The phrase "on that day" signifies a moment of divine intervention, a turning point in which God acts decisively on behalf of His people. The command to "not fear" reflects a recurring biblical theme of reassurance, as seen in Isaiah 41:10, where God promises His presence and support. Fear and discouragement were natural reactions to the suffering and oppression experienced by Israel, just as they are for Christians facing hardships. However, God’s presence brings courage and confidence, reminding the faithful that they are never abandoned in their struggles.
Zephaniah depicts God as both a warrior who saves (“a mighty savior”) and a loving parent who rejoices over His children and is actively involved in their restoration. He will remove the consequences of sin or external threats from foreign nations from their midst and restore the dignity of His people. Christ takes away the shame of sin and reconciles humanity with God (Rom. 8:1)
Almighty God, You are our mighty Savior who removes fear and renews us in Your love, and we rejoice in Your saving presence among us. Fill our hearts with the joy of Your redemption and the courage to trust in Your promises, even in the midst of life’s challenges. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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