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Epiphany Season · Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Seek the Lord, a Humble Remnant Will Remain

February 1, 2026

The Keeper of the Flock, Jean-François Millet
The Keeper of the Flock, Jean-François Millet, 1871–74The Art Institute of Chicago
A shepherd standing at the edge of his flock in failing light, almost featureless, the whole figure given to the posture of waiting.Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land. I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly.Jean-François MilletA founder of the Barbizon school (1814-1875), who painted peasant labour at a scale previously reserved for history painting and was attacked as a political radical for it.The Art Institute of ChicagoFounded in 1879 as both a museum and a school, and the home of American Gothic and of a famous Impressionist collection.The Art Institute of Chicago
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 5:1-12aMt 5:1-12a
Second Reading1 Cor. 1:26-311 Cor 1:26-31
First ReadingZeph. 2:3; 3:12-13Zep 2:3; 3:12-13
Responsorial PsalmPs. 146:6-7, 8-9a, 9b-10 (Matthew 5:3)Ps 146:6-7, 8-9a, 9b-10 (Mt 5:3)

Overview & Insights

"I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord." (Zephaniah 3:12)

Zephaniah calls the humble of the land to seek the Lord, seek righteousness, and seek humility ahead of a coming day of judgment. He then promises that a remnant left behind, one that takes refuge in God rather than in power, will do no wrong and speak no lies.

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Take it further: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Commentary

Zephaniah 2 CommentaryZep 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse reading of the call to the humble to seek the Lord before judgment falls.

Zephaniah 3 CommentaryZep 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse reading of the humble remnant left in Jerusalem after judgment passes.

Zephaniah 3 CommentaryZep 3 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep verse by verse study notes gathering many conservative scholars on the remnant who take refuge in the Lord.

Zephaniah 3:12 CommentariesZep 3:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on the humble and lowly people God promises to leave behind.

Zephaniah 2 - Gill's ExpositionZep 2 - Gill's Exposition StudyLight

Gill's Exposition verse by verse on seeking the Lord, righteousness, and humility before the day of anger.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A Agape Bible Study

Catholic Bible study notes on Zephaniah's prophetic ministry under King Josiah and the promised remnant.

Background & Word Study

Zephaniah 2:3 InterlinearZep 2:3 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew word by word with parsing for humble, righteousness, and shelter.

Zephaniah 2:3Zep 2:3 Sefaria

Hebrew text alongside English for the prophet's call to seek the Lord.

The Church Fathers

Zephaniah 3 - Catena Bible & CommentariesZep 3 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment on the humble remnant God promises to preserve and purify.

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