- A Study

About the Author – Zephaniah Fourth generation from King Hezekiah Of royal blood Probably in his early twenties when he

started prophesying Shows a familiarity with court circles and

current political issues Contemporaries : Jeremiah, Nahum,

Habakkuk Prophesied during the reign of King Josiah

(640-609 B.C.)

Background Zephaniah prophesied soon after Nahum

before Babylon became the great world power and just before Jeremiah

Prophesied in Jerusalem’s times of “spiritual prosperity”

Also speaks of destruction of Assyria and rise of Babylon

Main theme: Justice and the Goodness of God

Judgment on all the earth (1:2-3) Judgment on the Idolaters in Judah (1:4-9)

Worship of pagan gods – Baal & Molech (v. 4,5)

Syncretism – Worship of Yahweh along with other gods (v.5)

Forsaking God (v. 6) Alliance with foreign powers (v. 8) Thought God was not involved in human

affairs – Indifference to God (v. 12)

Destruction of Jerusalem (1:10-13) Punishment and wailing (v. 10) Thoroughly wiped out (v. 11)

The Inescapable Day of the Lord's Wrath (1:14-18)

Powerful warriors (v. 14), Fortified cities (v. 16), Silver and Gold (v.18) – None can save them

Call to Judah for Repentance (2:1-3) Gather together before the day of God’s wrath

(v. 1,2) Seek the Lord – all the humble of the Land (v.

3) Seek Righteousness and humility – the humble

are called for greater humility (v. 3) Perhaps God would shelter (v. 3)

Judgment on Philistia (2:4-7) Located to the west Completely destroyed and the sea side cities will be

a place for the remnant

Judgment on Moab and Ammon (2:8-11) Located to the east They insult and threatened the people of God (v.8) Likened to Sodom and Gomorrah (v.9) Remnant will plunder and inherit their land (v. 9)

Judgment on Cush (Egypt & Ethiopia) (2:12) Located on the south-west

Judgment on Assyria (2:13-15) Located on the North Nineveh will be made utterly desolate (v.13) Careless, callous and proud city (v.15)

Judgment on Jerusalem (3:1-5) Rebellious, defiled, disobedient, accepts no

correction, does not trust God nor draw near Him God speaks about the Princes, Judges, Prophets

and priests about their hypocrisy (v.3,4)

Jerusalem's Refusal to Repent (3:6-8) Strongholds and cities destroyed completely (v.

6) Pouring out of God’s wrath and fierce anger on

unrepentant Jerusalem (v. 8) The whole world will be consumed by the fire of

God’s jealous anger

Restoration of the Remnant (3:9 – 20) “The day” (vs 8) must refer to the tribulation when God will

judge “all the earth” Several of the things Zephaniah says will happen, could

have been fulfilled by the Babylonians when they destroyed Judah and took them into captivity

But many of the prophecies concerning the destruction of the nations and the earth have obviously not been fulfilled

The Nations Purified, the Remnant Restored, Jerusalem Purged (3: 9 – 13) He will purify the lips of all who call on His name and

they will serve Him – Revival to come (v. 9) God’s true worshippers (part of the remnant) scattered

throughout the world will bring Him offerings (v. 10) Proud and haughty removed from God’s holy city (v

11) Characteristics of the remnant (v. 12, 13)▪ Meek and humble▪ Committed the Lord▪ Righteous and ethical in their treatment of others▪ They will eat and lie down▪ They will be fearless

Rejoicing in the City (3:14-17) Singing and rejoicing as God has taken away His

punishment (v. 14, 15) God will reign in their midst and He delight in His

remnant with singing and surround them with His love (v. 15 – 17)

The Nation Restored (3:18-20) Rescue oppressed and gather the scattered Praise and honor in place of shame Fortunes Restored and the Remnant brought to

God’s home

What similarities in situation do we see in Christendom today?

What is the warning and caution for us? And why?

Why was Zephaniah explaining all this about the Day of the Lord?

What is our response to this encounter with God?

From the study, what aspects does God deal severely with?

Compare and contrast the nature of God between 1:1 – 3:8 and 3:9-20

Has God opened my eyes to any spiritual truth? What is it?

What urgent call do I need to heed?

Am I a part of the faithful remnant?

What is my role as a remnant?

Judah The Nations

Idolatry 1:4-6 Mocking the Jews 2:8,10

Violence 1:9 Arrogance against the Jews 2:8-10

Complacency 1:12 Self sufficiency 2:15

Trusting in money 1:18  

Not trusting in God 1:6, 3:2

 

Injustice 3:3-4  

Corruption 3:7  

Pride 3:11  

Deceit 1:9, 3:13  

Opressing the poor 3:1  

Judgment 1:8-9 Grace 3:9-20

Wrath 1:15, 18 Gladness 3:17

Terror Tenderness 2:7, 3:17

(1) God is full of grace, gladness and tenderness, but also justice.

God is full of grace, gladness and tenderness, but also justice