9. For--The blessed things promised in this and
Zep 3:10
are the immediate results of the punishment inflicted on the nations,
mentioned in
Zep 3:8
(compare
Zep 3:19).
turn to the people a pure language--that is, changing
their impure language I will give to them again a pure
language (literally, "lip"). Compare for this Hebrew idiom,
1Sa 10:9,
Margin. The confusion of languages was of the penalty sin,
probably idolatry at Babel
(Ge 11:1-6,
Margin, where also "lip" expresses language, and perhaps
also religion;
Zep 3:4,
"a tower whose top may reach unto heaven," or rather, points
to heaven, namely, dedicated to the heavens idolized, or
Bel); certainly, of rebellion against God's will. An earnest of the
removal of this penalty was the gift of tongues on Pentecost
(Ac 2:6-13).
The full restoration of the earth's unity of language and of worship is
yet future, and is connected with the restoration of the Jews, to be
followed by the conversion of the world. Compare
Isa 19:18;
Zec 14:9;
Ro 15:6,
"with one mind and one mouth glorify God." The Gentiles'
lips have been rendered impure through being the instruments of
calling on idols and dishonoring God (compare
Ps 16:4;
Ho 2:17).
Whether Hebrew shall be the one universal language or not, the
God of the Hebrews shall be the one only object of worship. Until the
Holy Ghost purify the lips, we cannot rightly call upon God
(Isa 6:5-7).
serve him with one consent--literally, "shoulder" or "back";
metaphor from a yoke, or burden, borne between two
(Nu 13:23);
helping one another with conjoint effort. If one of the two bearers of
a burden, laid on both conjointly, give way, the burden must fall to
the earth [CALVIN]. Christ's rule is called a
burden
(Mt 11:30;
Ac 15:28;
Re 2:24;
compare
2Co 6:14
for the same image).
JFB.
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