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Laindon Bible Study, 23rd December 2015

Minor prophets and their message

2 - of - 2

A highly relevant prophecy in all ages!

Zephaniah's message (2) 2

Near futurec. 40 years

Day of Judgement/ the LORD Babylon

Distant future>2,600 years

Day of Judgement/ the LORD End Time

Zephaniah

Our first study

Zephaniah's message (2) 3

Background, key theme& key exhortationProphetHis timesHis contemporariesBook overview

A précis of our first study

Part one

Silence then

crisis! Good King

Josiah

Family relations

“Day of the

LORD”Comfort and

warning

‘Yah has hidden’

Josiah spared wrath

Judge and

saviour

Zephaniah's message (2) 4

Today’s second study

Zephaniah's message (2) 5

Further exposition & exhortation3 chapters; 53 verses; 1,617 wordsRelevance in 7th c. BCRelevance in 21st c. AD

The key divisions within the prophecy

Zephaniah's message (2) 6

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Introduction

• Only explanation for four generations = royal connection (Z. = a prince)

• Different names (Br-Dr-Br Lexicon):– Cushi = their blackness

– Gedaliah = Yah(weh) is great

– Amariah = Yah(weh) speaks/has promised

– Hezekiah = Yah(weh) is my strength

– Zephaniah = Yah(weh) has treasured

Zephaniah's message (2) 7

Zephaniah 1 v 1

1 The word of the Lord which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, theson of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

In the day of judgement

The LORD is great

He has promised

To be my strength

And to treasure/hide me

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Judgement on Judah

• Words must have pre-dated Josiah’s reforms (cp. 2 Kings 23 v 4>)

• Clear description of three failings (or groups of people):

• Compare teaching of the NT and today’s world!Zephaniah's message (2) 8

Zephaniah 1 v 4-6

4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; andI will cut off the remnant of Baal [‘lord’, god of the Phoenicians/Canaanites] from this place,and the name of the Chemarims [NKJV, ESV: ‘idolatrous priests’] with the priests; 5 And themthat worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swearby the Lord, and that swear by Malcham [‘great king’, god of the Ammonites]; 6 And them thatare turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor inquired for him.

Openly idolatrous Mixed allegiances Without God at all

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Judgement on Judah

• Respectful silence before the Great and Mighty Yahweh

• Sanctified guests (i.e. Babylon cp. Isaiah 13 v 3) are invited to the sacrifice/feast, cp. Supper of the great God in Revelation 19 v 17-18

• “Princes” “King’s children” relevance to both Zephaniah/Josiah

• Following verses describe failures (1 v 9), punishment (1 v 10-18), but still with God-given opportunity to change direction (2 v 1-3)

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Zephaniah 1 v 7-8

7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for theLord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid [consecrated, sanctified] his guests. 8 And it shallcome to pass in the day of the Lord's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king'schildren, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Judgement on surrounding nations

Zephaniah's message (2) 10

Zephaniah 2 v 4-5

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: theyshall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall berooted up. 5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, thenation of the Cherethites! the word of the Lord is againstyou; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroythee, that there shall be no inhabitant.

Zephaniah 2 v 8

8 I have heard the reproach of Moab,and the revilings of the children ofAmmon, whereby they havereproached my people, and magnifiedthemselves against their border.

Zephaniah 2 v 13

13 And he will stretch out hishand against the north, anddestroy Assyria; and will makeNineveh a desolation, and drylike a wilderness.

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Judgement on surrounding nations

• For what wrongdoings were the surrounding nations judged?

• 2 v 8-10: Moab and Ammon, spared by God (Deut. 2 v 9/19), yet:– Reproached God’s people/sanctuary & blasphemed (Ezekiel 25 v 2-11)

• 2 v 13-15: Assyria, an instrument in God’s hand, yet:– Became exalted in pride (Ezekiel 31 v 3-17 esp. v. 10-11 & Isaiah 10 v 12-15)

Zephaniah's message (2) 11

Pride and vanity Ill treatment of God’s people

“This shall they have for their pride” (2 v 10) “they have reproached my people, and magnifiedthemselves against their border.” (2 v 8)

“This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, thatsaid in her heart, I am, and there is none besideme” (2 v 15)

“they have reproached and magnified themselvesagainst the people of the Lord of hosts” (2 v 10)

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Judgement on Jerusalem

• Greater responsibility due to detailed knowledge of God’s ways and requirements (cp. Luke 12 v 48)

• Four key failings (verse 2):

Zephaniah's message (2) 12

Zephaniah 3 v 1-4

1 Woe to her that is filthy [NKJV, ESV: ‘rebellious’] and polluted, to the oppressing city! 2 Sheobeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew notnear to her God. 3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves;they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. 4 Her prophets are light [Str. ‘to bubble up or froth’]and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence tothe law.

Did not obey God Did not receive correction Did not trust God Did not draw near God

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Judgement on nations and kingdoms

• Two key words, “assemble” and “gather”… compare combined use in End Time prophecies within:– Ezekiel 39 v 17 “assemble yourselves… gather yourselves”

– Joel 3 v 9-14 “assemble yourselves… gather yourselves”

• Completeness of God’s fiery judgement is demonstrated upon “nations… kingdoms… earth” (cp. 2 Peter 3 v 10)

Zephaniah's message (2) 13

Zephaniah 3 v 8

8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for mydetermination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour uponthem mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with thefire of my jealousy.

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Salvation and conversion

• Origin of mixed languages was human pride (building of Babel) and an attempt to go against God’s will (i.e. not replenishing the earth)

• Afflicted and poor people cp. those left to tend the land by Babylon (Jeremiah 39 v 9-10) and the saints in prospect (Isaiah 66 v 2)

Zephaniah's message (2) 14

Zephaniah 3 v 9, 11-12

9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name ofthe Lord, to serve him with one consent… 11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thydoings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midstof thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holymountain. 12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shalltrust in the name of the Lord .

Judgement Salvation

1 v 1 Introduction

1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah

2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah

3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem

3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms

3 v 9-13Conversion

3 v 14-20Restoration

Salvation and restoration

• Much is in the ‘prophetic perfect’ tense (i.e. as if already done), e.g. “hath cast out thine enemy” “shalt not see evil any more”

• God’s ‘emotions’ expressed “joy… rejoice” cp. angels: Luke 15 v 7/10

• “In the midst” an important concept, appearing 4 times in chapter

Zephaniah's message (2) 15

Zephaniah 3 v 14-17

14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughterof Jerusalem. 15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: theking of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16 In thatday it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee withjoy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Further exhortations from Zephaniah

“Neither their silver

nor their gold shall be able

to deliver them” 1 v 18

“The LORD will not do

good… neither… evil” 1 v 12

“Seek ye the Lord,

all ye meek of the

earth” 2 v 3

“I will save her that halteth”

3 v 19

Zephaniah's message (2) 16

Is God indifferent / impotent?

• A fundamental misunderstanding of God, very much evident in today’s world (e.g. in the so-called Problem of Evil debate)

• What this does not take account of is timescales in God’s purpose

• We must not slip into the mind-set of “Where is the promise of his coming?” (2 Peter 3 v 4)

• Parallels between Zephaniah’s time & Laodicean age (Rev. 3 v 14>)

Zephaniah's message (2) 17

Zephaniah 1 v 12

12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punishthe men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good,neither will he do evil.

Material dangers!

• A false belief that benefits in the present outweigh future ones

• For what was Noah’s generation condemned by Jesus? Distractions!

• Treasure on earth vs. treasure in heaven (Matthew 6 v 19-21)Zephaniah's message (2) 18

Zephaniah 1 v 18

18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord'swrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make evena speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

Matthew 24 v 37-38

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in thedays that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving inmarriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

Meek ≠ Weak

• A much undervalued/misunderstood quality in today’s world

• Meekness ultimately has to do with being teachable and conforming to God’s ways

• We can learn much from the meekest/lowliest man who has ever lived, our Lord Jesus Christ (see Matthew 11 v 29)

Zephaniah's message (2) 19

Zephaniah 2 v 3

3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seekrighteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.

Psalm 25 v 9

9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

A true reversal of fortunes

• For there to be a reversal, we have to accept the littleness of today

• With the benefits of hindsight, much that seems unpalatable today will be seen to be wholly justified (and to our ultimate benefit)

Zephaniah's message (2) 20

Zephaniah 3 v 19

19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, andgather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where theyhave been put to shame.

2 Corinthians 4 v 17

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding andeternal weight of glory;

Conclusion of study 2

• As we said in our opening remarks last week, not a book directly quoted in NT but with themes and teaching that are so current

• There are many repeating patterns in God’s dealings with humankind, such as:– Freewill but with personal responsibility

– Opportunity but with consequences

– Salvation but following judgement

Zephaniah's message (2) 21

Malachi 3 v 17

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day [thirty nine out of one hundredand fifteen appearances of this phrase are in minor prophets] when I make up my jewels; andI will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

A final thought…

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