Zephaniah’s Zeal

Zephaniah

Only fifty-three verses Because of its brevity, we accurately

call Zephaniah a minor prophet Length is the only ‘minor matter’ about

the man or his message

About 621 B.C.

Contemporary of Jeremiah, Nahum, and Habakkuk

Zephaniah traces his genealogy back four generations to Hezekiah (1:1)

Fearful forecast against his own people: God’s judgment was coming

Reading Zephaniah for first time

Central theme: Day of the Lord

1. Would bring total destruction, 1:2-2:3

2. Would include other nations, 2:4-3:8

3. Would precede great mercy: God will save His remnant, 3:9-20

Day of the Lord 1:7, at hand 1:8, Lord’s sacrifice 1:10, wailing 1:14, mighty cry out 1:15, wrath, trouble,

distress, desolation, darkness, gloom, clouds, darkness

1:16, trumpet, siren 1:17, distress, blood 1:18, riddance 2:2, fierce anger 2:3, Lord’s anger 3:8, plunder, indig-

nation, fierce anger, devoured, jealousy

I. Timing OfJudgment, 1:1

A period of apostasy

When apostasy prevails, sin enjoys widespread acceptance Evil dominates news Timid folks jump on bandwagon

But it’s not all bad

Some would rather switch than fight, succumbing to . . .

1. Immorality

2. Indifference

3. Imitation (watered-down church; fake)

1 Kings 19

Zephaniah – Jeremiah – Josiah

1. If Zephaniah writes before Josiah’s reforms, he risks wrath (2 Sm.12)

2. Jer.3:6-10, triple indictment

Josiah’s reforms produced only outward change

Josiah’s untimely death freed people from God

I. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1

II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4

Zeph.1:2-4, reversal of creation

Judah: totaled, 2

God’s outstretched hand (3-4). Ex.3:20

Creator becomes Destroyer

Cosmos becomes chaos

Man becomes endangered species (3)

I. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1

III. Targets OfJudgment, 1:5-2:3

II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4

Main focus: God’s people

God’s power once protected Judah Now it will pulverize them Ro.8:31 Great blessings impose

great responsibilities

Family Church

Lost Growth

Indictments against Judah 5-6, pluralists –

Forsook Lord for astrology, 2 K.21:3-5; Ps.8:3

Turned to Baal & Milcom, 1 K.11:5, 7 (1 K.18)

Forgot Carmel, 1 K.18. Is.29:13

Indictments against Judah 5-6, pluralists – 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:18 9-10, thieves, liars 11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:5 12, complacent (practical atheists)

Settled on leesSmug, self-righteous, self-satisfied

Indictments against Judah 5-6, pluralists – 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:18 9-10, thieves, liars 11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:5 12, complacent (practical atheists) 2:1, shameless (3:5). Jer.6:15 3:1-2, rebels, stubborn, faithless, aloof

Ethiopia(Cush)

Judgment was going around

Indictments against Judah 5-6, pluralists – 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:18 9-10, thieves, liars 11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:5 12, complacent (practical atheists) 2:1, shameless (3:5). Jer.6:15 3:1-2, rebels, stubborn, faithless, aloof 3:3-4, 7, serious about sin

I. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1

IV. Termination Of Judgment, 1:5-2:3

II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4

III. Targets Of Judgment, 1:5-2:3

The Plea (2:1-3) It may be…hidden (3) Lk.13:1-5

Judgment forces us to face our mortality, in the hope that we will

prepare for our immortality by repenting of our immorality

The Plea (2:1-3)

The Plan (3:8-19) 8: faithful remnant waits, trusts 9: supreme purpose: salvation 10-11, after purge, only meek remain

14-15, recognize God as King 17, time to rejoice (Lk.15) 18-20, I will

In My holy mountain: Is.2, 11; Dn.2