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Zephaniahs ZealZephaniahOnly 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 messageAbout 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: Gods judgment was coming Reading Zephaniah for first timeCentral theme: Day of the LordWould bring total destruction, 1:2-2:3Would include other nations, 2:4-3:8Would precede great mercy: God will save His remnant, 3:9-20Day of the Lord1:7, at hand1:8, Lords sacrifice1:10, wailing1:14, mighty cry out1:15, wrath, trouble, distress, desolation, darkness, gloom, clouds, darkness1:16, trumpet, siren1:17, distress, blood1:18, riddance2:2, fierce anger2:3, Lords anger3:8, plunder, indig-nation, fierce anger, devoured, jealousy

I. Timing OfJudgment, 1:1A period of apostasyWhen apostasy prevails, sin enjoys widespread acceptanceEvil dominates newsTimid folks jump on bandwagonBut its not all bad Some would rather switch than fight, succumbing to . . . ImmoralityIndifferenceImitation (watered-down church; fake)1 Kings 19Zephaniah Jeremiah JosiahIf Zephaniah writes before Josiahs reforms, he risks wrath (2 Sm.12)Jer.3:6-10, triple indictment Josiahs reforms produced only outward change Josiahs untimely death freed people from GodI. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4Zeph.1:2-4, reversal of creationJudah: totaled, 2

Gods outstretched hand (3-4). Ex.3:20Creator becomes DestroyerCosmos becomes chaosMan becomes endangered species (3)I. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1III. Targets OfJudgment, 1:5-2:3II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4Main focus: Gods peopleGods power once protected JudahNow it will pulverize themRo.8:31Great blessings imposegreat responsibilitiesFamilyChurchLostGrowthIndictments against Judah5-6, pluralists

Forsook Lord for astrology, 2 K.21:3-5; Ps.8:3Turned to Baal & Milcom, 1 K.11:5, 7 (1 K.18)Forgot Carmel, 1 K.18. Is.29:13Indictments against Judah5-6, pluralists 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:189-10, thieves, liars11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:512, complacent (practical atheists)

Settled on leesSmug, self-righteous, self-satisfiedIndictments against Judah5-6, pluralists 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:189-10, thieves, liars11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:512, complacent (practical atheists)2:1, shameless (3:5). Jer.6:153:1-2, rebels, stubborn, faithless, aloof

Ethiopia(Cush)Judgment was going aroundIndictments against Judah5-6, pluralists 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:189-10, thieves, liars11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:512, complacent (practical atheists)2:1, shameless (3:5). Jer.6:153:1-2, rebels, stubborn, faithless, aloof3:3-4, 7, serious about sin

I. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1IV. Termination Of Judgment, 1:5-2:3II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4III. Targets Of Judgment, 1:5-2:3The Plea (2:1-3)It may behidden (3)Lk.13:1-5Judgment forces us to face our mortality, in the hope that we will prepare for our immortality by repenting of our immoralityThe Plea (2:1-3)The Plan (3:8-19)8: faithful remnant waits, trusts9: supreme purpose: salvation10-11, after purge, only meek remain

14-15, recognize God as King17, time to rejoice (Lk.15)18-20, I will

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