Reading for February 15th

 Read Zephaniah 3.8-20. In 3.8-20 Judah is restored. A major shift occurs here in the book of Zephaniah from the criticism of Judah and the announcement of its destruction (1.2-2.3; 3.1-7) to the anticipation of its renewal. Either Zephaniah himself looked forward to anew era after Judah's fall, or this speech was added by Zephaniah's editor's after Judah's fall to provide hope to its exiles. The speech shares numerous images with literature composed during and after the Exile (after 587BCE). In verse 9: The expectation of the conversion of the nations is characteristic of exile literature (Isa 55.4-5; Mic 4.1-2). In verse 11: My holy mountain is the Temple mount in Jerusalem. In verses 19-20: The return of Judah's exiles, often pictured lame and outcast, was a widespread hope during the Exile and afterwards (Isa 35.5-10; Mic 4.6-8). Comments or Questions..