Title Sing
Content Title: Sing
Bible: Zep 3:14-17
In the days of King Josiah, the 16th king of southern Judah, the prophet Zephaniah warned that God's severe judgment would come because of the sins of Israel at that time. But through their repentance, he promised to give the grace of salvation to those who remained at the reunion of Israel, and to sing a new song of salvation. Because we are not the object of judgment, but the singer of the new song of salvation, we can sing with thanksgiving to God.
First: A song of thanksgiving for salvation.
“Sing, daughter of Zion. Call me with joy, O Israel. “Daughter of Jerusalem, rejoice and be glad with all your heart” (verse 14). We should glorify God through praise for our thanksgiving for salvation. Here, the ‘daughter of Zion’ and ‘daughter of Jerusalem’ refer to the ‘remnant’, that is, the ‘saved people of God’. Please believe that God always judges sinners, but He always sets apart and protects and protects His chosen people.
Second: This is a song about the removal of the punishment of judgment.
“The Lord has taken away your punishment” (verse 15). We, who suffered the punishment of judgment for our sins and had no choice but to die, should be thankful that the punishment of judgment was removed through God's salvation and we have eternal life. (Romans 6:23) “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). As God's saved people, we should always give thanks and praise to God for having the punishment of judgment removed.
Third: This is a song about driving out the enemy.
“The Lord has cast out your enemies . . . ” (in verse 15) The ‘enemies’ here refer to Assyria and Babylon, which God raised up to discipline the Israelites. Ultimately, it refers to all the evil forces that oppress and afflict the saints. In addition, “to cast out” means to disappear from the face, and it is an expression that emphasizes destruction that leaves no trace. We should give thanks and praise to God for casting out our enemies.
Fourth: This is a song about gaining fame and praise among all peoples.
“When I restore your captivity from your sight, I will make you famous and praised among all the peoples under the world. saith the LORD” (verse 20). When God restores the people of Israel from captivity, He promises that they will gain fame and praise among all the peoples of the world. He said that God would recognize him as a precious people, set him above all the nations he had created with praise, honor and glory, and make him a holy citizen of God.