Zephaniah ● Introduction ● Ninth book in the list of Minor Prophets.

ZephaniahZephaniah● Introduction● Ninth book in the list of Minor Prophets

ZephaniahZephaniah● Introduction● Ninth book in the list of Minor Prophets● Prophet“Zephaniah” means - “He whom

Jehovah has hidden


Jehovah has hidden● Lineage goes back 4 generations to Hezekiah

King of Judah



King of Judah● Detailed descriptions of Jerusalem and its

situation indicate that he lived there 1:10-13, 3:1-4 (this place 1:4)



King of Judah● Detailed descriptions of Jerusalem and its

situation indicate that he lived there 1:10-13, 3:1-4 (this place 1:4)

● Prophecy is identified as the “word of the Lord” 1:1

ZephaniahZephaniah● Date of Book● “In the days of Josiah, son of Amon, king of

Judah” who reigned from 640-609 B.C.● His prophecy is before the destruction of Ninevah

in 612 since the event is seen as in the future (2:13-15)

● Zephaniah refers to widespread Baal worship in 1:4-5 which describes the situation before Josiah's reforms in 628 (2 Chron. 34:3-5)

● Time range would be 635-626

ZephaniahZephaniah● Contemporary Prophets

Nahum, Habakkuk, Jeremiah

ZephaniahZephaniah● Historical Background● Josiah is king of Judah 640-609 B.C.

Good king● Sought God “while he was still young” (2 Chron34:3)


Good king● Sought God “while he was still young” (2 Chron34:3)● Inherited moral and doctrinal decadence from the years of

his grandfather (Manasseh), and his father (Amon) (2 Chron. 33:1-25; 2 Kings 21:1-26)




● During this time the Babylonians were becoming the world power





● Twelfth year of his reign Josiah begins to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idols and idol worship (2 Chron. 34:3-7)





● Twelfth year of his reign Josiah begins to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idols and idol worship (2 Chron. 34:3-7)

● Discovers book of Law and re-establishes true worship and the keeping of the Passover (2 Chron. 34 & 35)

ZephaniahZephaniah● Theme of the Book of Zephaniah

The approaching “day of the Lord” 1:7, 14; 2:2


The approaching “day of the Lord” 1:7, 14; 2:2● Day of impending judgment upon Judah 1:2-2:3

Complete judgment is about to come



Complete judgment is about to come● Also involves divine judgment on other nations, along with

Jerusalem 2:4-3:7



Complete judgment is about to come● Also involves divine judgment on other nations, along with

Jerusalem 2:4-3:7● This same day will also be a day of hope for those who

repent and are a faithful remnant 3:8-20

ZephaniahZephaniah● Comprised of Three Chapters

Can be divided into two sections


Can be divided into two sections Judgment (1:1 - 3:9)


Can be divided into two sections Judgment (1:1 - 3:9) Salvation (3:9 - 3:20)

ZephaniahZephaniah● Judgment - The Great Day of the Lord

1:2 “I will utterly consume all things from the face of the land”

● 1:4-5 “Cut Off” (annihilated) Baal, idolatrous priests, worshipers of false gods

● 1:6 “Cut Off” the apostates (those who “turned back” from following Him

● 1:7-9 Punish the royal house● 1:10-11 mourning and wailing from all sections (Fish Gate,

Second Quarter, Maktesh● 1:13 Their goods and houses will be taken and destroyed● 1:14 Time is near and will be a bitter time for the wicked



● 1:15-16 Described as: day of wrath, trouble, distress, devastation, desolation, darkness, gloominess, clouds, thick darkness, and trumpet and alarm against fortified cities and hightowers

● 1:17 Reason for this destruction Because they have sinned against the Lord



● 1:15-16 Described as: day of wrath, trouble, distress, devastation, desolation, darkness, gloominess, clouds, thick darkness, and trumpet and alarm against fortified cities and hightowers

● 1:17 Reason for this destruction Because they have sinned against the Lord

● 1:18 Wealth and Power will not protect; the Lord will devour the land and its inhabitants “by the fire of His jealousy”

ZephaniahZephaniah● 2:1-3 Repent – Before the coming day of the Lord

2:1-2 “Gather Together” - the Lord's fierce anger “Seek the Lord”, seek righteousness and humility 2:3 Hope that they will be “hidden” in the day of

God's anger and be spared the punishment of the wicked

ZephaniahZephaniah● 2:4-15 Judgment on the nations that surround

Judah 2:4-5 Philistia (West):

● Gath, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron

2:8-9 Moab and Ammon (East):● will be destroyed, like Sodom and Gomorah 2:8-9

2:12 Ethiopians (South)● slain by the sword

2:13 Assyria and it's capital Ninevah (North):● will be destroyed (612 BC)

ZephaniahZephaniah● 3:1-7 “Woe to her” (Jerusalem)

3:1 A polluted, and oppressive city● 3:2 - 4 “nots” of Jerusalem

Did not obey the Lord's voice Did not receive correction Did not trust in the Lord Did not draw near to God

3:3-4 Princes, judges, prophets and priests are wicked Consume the people Act arrogantly Show disregard for the temple and God's law

3:6-7 “Rose early (were eager) and corrupted all their deeds”

ZephaniahZephaniah● 3:8-13 God to His people: “Wait for Me”

Be patient for the day when He would “rise up for plunder”

3:9 He will “restore” a pure language 3:10-11 God will gather His worshipers 3:12 What will be left will be “meek and humble”

who trust in the name of the Lord 3:13 This “remnant of Israel” will not practice sin,

but be faithful and find comfort, safety and peace.● Promise first fulfilled in the return of the faithful from

Babylonian captivity (Jer 29:10-14; 30:3; 18-22; 31:7-9)

ZephaniahZephaniah● Ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who will establish “Spiritual

Israel” the church, a remnant according the “election of grace” (Rom 11:5; Gal. 6:16)

● Final remnant will include Jew and Gentile

● 3:14-20 Rejoice in the Lord 3:15 He has cast out evil and His people will see

disaster no more 3:18-19 God will gather those who sorrow while He

punishes the afflicters. God makes these promises certain when He finishes

the chapter with “Says the Lord”

ZephaniahZephaniah● These blessings and salvation ultimately point

forward to the blessings we have in Christ the “King of Israel” (Matt. 1;23, John 1:49)

● The blessings which were promised to Israel are multiplied under the new covenant for Christ's “Spiritual Israel” called out of the “captivity of sin” into the salvation of God and the hope of eternal life.

ZephaniahZephaniah● Extras:

This outline (God's people indicted with sin, and called to repent, judgment on the Nations and vision of future glory) is similar to the outlines of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel

The reference to the Lord's “jealousy” indicates His anger at Judah's idolatry (1:4-5) He warns Israel He is a jealous God and to have no other gods before him (Exodus 20:4-5; Nahum 1:2)

Woe is a recurring theme throughout the Minor Prophets, usually to declare the coming destruction of God's judgment upon a nation or city (Hos7:13; Amos 5:18 Mic. 2:1; Nah 3:1, Hab. 2:6-19)

ZephaniahZephaniah● Extras:

“Wait on the Lord” is a common theme in the prophets (Psalms 33:20; Isa. 8:17; 30:18; 40:31; 49:23; Lam. 3:25-26; Hos 12:6; Mic 7:7; Hab 2:3)

The Lord “being in the midst” is a theme here in Zephaniah and Zechariah

● In the New Testament, God dwells among His people in the church (I Cor. 3:16-17) and in Heaven God will dwell with His saved ones for eternity (Rev. 21:3)

ZephaniahZephaniah● Questions:

1. What does the name Zephaniah mean?


1. What does the name Zephaniah mean?● He whom Jehovah has hidden


2. During what kings reign does Zephaniah prophecy?


2. During what kings reign does Zephaniah prophecy?

● Josiah


3. What is the approximate time period of this prophecy?


3. What is the approximate time period of this prophecy?

● 635-626


4. What is the theme of Zephaniah?


4. What is the theme of Zephaniah?● The approaching “day of the Lord”


5. What does the book immediately begin to describe?


5. What does the book immediately begin to describe?● Complete destruction that is about to come.


6. What are the inhabitants to do before it is too late?


6. What are the inhabitants to do before it is too late?● Repent


7. What four reasons are given for Jerusalem's sinfulness?



● Did not obey the Lord's voice



● Did not obey the Lord's voice● Did not receive correction



● Did not obey the Lord's voice● Did not receive correction● Did not trust in the Lord



● Did not obey the Lord's voice● Did not receive correction● Did not trust in the Lord● Did not draw near to God


8. Who will God keep safe as he destroys evil?


8. Who will God keep safe as he destroys evil?● Meek and humble people, who trust in the Lord; A

remnant

ZephaniahZephaniah

Zephaniah ● Introduction ● Ninth book in the list of Minor Prophets.

Documents

Transcript of Zephaniah ● Introduction ● Ninth book in the list of Minor Prophets.