Zep 3:1

Zep 3: “The prophet sees a Jerusalem that has forgotten its Husband, and has sought after other lovers; the people compromised the Truth, and let worldliness enter into the sphere of their experiences. But in the discipline of Jerusalem, the Spirit would remove the oppressor, Nineveh. Zephaniah shows the purpose of His judgmental hand over Jerusalem and the nations, and now in Zep 3 there is an explanation of how the vindication of His Name is accomplished and great blessings flow from His mercy. So the final chapter sets out the divine program for the future: [1] Why Jerusalem must be punished: vv 1-7. [2] The Purging of Evil and the Conversion of the people: vv 8-10. [3] Israel shamed and sanctified: vv 11-13. [4] Israel comforted, blessed and exalted to honour before all, through the presence of Yahweh: vv 14-20. With what a lovely panorama the prophecy concludes (v 20). The Good Shepherd is seen bringing his flock into the fold, naming each one, and causing Israel to become a praise in all the earth. This will be done before all mankind, so that all will see Yahweh’s purpose with Israel down the centuries, now to be vindicated to the honour of His great name” (GEM).

The sins of Jerusalem were four, and the reasons for those sins were likewise fourfold: