Please explain Zephaniah 3:9.
Let’s begin by reading Zephaniah 3:8-9, “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.”
In this book, the Lord warns His people about His impending judgment upon all the nations of the world. We read in Zephaniah 2:1-3, “Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you. SEEK YE THE LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.” Before the day of His great wrath, the Lord pleads with the nation of Israel to seek Him, to seek righteousness, and to seek meekness. If they would do that, they would “be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”
The faithful remnant of Israel is called upon to wait for the Lord; to wait for that day when He comes to execute His judgment on all those nations who have rejected and forsaken Him. Indeed, it has been a long wait. Several thousand years have come and gone. Still they are called upon to wait for that day. It will be the day which closes the times of the Gentiles, when the Lord Jesus returns to receive His church unto Himself.
Verse 9 refers to the conversion of the faithful ones of the remaining nations. This “pure language” that is mentioned is probably in reference to those nations that have not been defiled by idolatry. It speaks of those whose speech has been pure with praise to the Lord. All these people will serve and worship Him with one accord.
So, we see that verse 8 speaks of the judgment of the ungodly Gentile nations. Verse 9 speaks of the conversion of the remaining nations. Verse 10 speaks of the restoration of the dispersed remnant of Israel. That verse says, “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.” How good it is to know that the Lord is still in control of all these things and will perform His perfect will according to His perfect plan. (242.8)