Old Testament Survey: The Book of Zephaniah

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Old Testament Survey The Book of Zephaniah
Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who
have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek
humility. It may be that you will be hidden In
the day of the LORD'S anger. (23)

• A World Judgment

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Background

• Period of Zephaniah 630625 B.C.
• 100 years since the days of Micah.
• Assyrian captivity in 722 B.C.
• Judah continuing but becoming more corrupt.
• Zephaniah prophesied in Jerusalem, to the nation
  of Judah.
• The name Zephaniah means Jehovah hides.

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Background

• Hezekiah was Zephaniahs great-great grandfather.
• Hezekiahs good reign is now being followed by
  the evil reign of his son, Manasseh.
• ManassehJudahs most wicked king.
• Manassehs son, Ammon, followed in his fathers
  footsteps.
• There was terrible idolatry and moral corruption.
• Social injustice was widespread.
• Luxury and extravagance on every hand.

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Background

• By Zephaniahs time, Judah had her last good
  kingJosiah.
• Introduced reform in Judah by abolishing idolatry
  and breaking down the idols.
• Restored the true worship of Godbut he was not
  completely successful.
• Reforms recorded in 2 Chronicles 34,35.
• In the east, Babylon was rising to power.

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Background

• In 625, the Babylonians rebelled against Assyria.
• Nebuchadnezzar was general of the Babylonian
  army.
• In 612, he destroyed Nineveh.
• Began building the Babylonian Empire.
• Zephaniah prophesied during the Chaldean rise to
  power.

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Theme and Plea

• Zephaniah declared the certainty of Gods love
  and wrath.
• He was extremely loyal to God and uncompromising
  as a prophet.
• He prophesied that the great day of the Lords
  anger against all evil doers is at hand.
• This included Judah!
• Israel is warned but unconcerned.
• Day of the Lord refers to the rendering of
  Gods judgment.

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Keys to Book of Zephaniah

• Key words
• Divine jealousy and wrath
• Key phrase
• The day of the Lord (7 times)
• Key chapter
• Chapter 3
• Key verse
• 114

• The great day of the LORD is near it is near
  and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the
  LORD is bitter there the mighty men shall cry
  out. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble
  and distress, a day of devastation and
  desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a
  day of clouds and thick darkness.

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Keys to Book of Zephaniah

• For then I will restore to the peoples a pure
  language, that they all may call on the name of
  the LORD, to serve Him with one accord.

• Key words
• Divine jealousy and wrath
• Key phrase
• The day of the Lord (7 times)
• Key chapter
• Chapter 3
• Key verse
• 39

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The Book

• Somber in tone yet ends with glad daycoming of
  the Lord
• The Day of the Lorda declaration of divine
  retribution
• Rebuke of heathen nationscall to repentance
• Jerusalems sin, future hope and promise of
  redemption
• Divine judgment (114-18)
• Divine blessings (314-17)

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The Book s Message

• Judgment on the entire world, especially Judah
  (11-18)
• Terrible judgment on the face of the earth
  (12,3)
• Judgment on Judah for idolatry (14-6)
• Sinners of every rank (17,8)
• Thieves (19)
• Corrupt and dishonest traders (110,11)
• Wealthy and indifferent (112,13)

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The Book s Message

• Judgment on the entire world, especially Judah
  (11-18)
• Referred to as the great day of the Lord
• A day of wrath and of trouble
• Darkness and gloom clouds and thick darkness
  trumpet and alarm (115,16)
• Silver and gold cannot save (117,18)
• Sin always brings Gods judgment!

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The Book s Message

• Gods call to repentance (2138)
• Calls on people to turn back to Him
• He wants them to seek the Lord (22,3)
• Their only hope for a hiding place in the day of
  such terrorin the Lord
• Pronounces judgment against nations (24-15)
• If the heathen nations will be punished for
  idolatry and wickedness, so will Judah! (31-8)

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The Book s Message

• Salvation of the remnant (39-20)
• Book closes with a bright picture of hope to be
  realized in the distant future
• The age of the Messiah
• In the Messianic kingdom, both Jews and Gentiles
  will be saved.
• God would be in their midst to save and bring
  joy. (317)
• Gathered to God with praise and glory (319)
  Kingdom and in Christ today

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Great Lessons from Zephaniah

• The day of Jehovah is a day of judgment upon the
  wicked.
• If God judged and punished wicked nations in that
  day, how will any nation escape unless it returns
  to His righteousness.
• All Bible judgments point to a FINAL JUDGMENT to
  come!

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Great Lessons from Zephaniah

• The book teaches that the Lord God is the only
  God over all the earth.
• All the world must respect, honor, and obey
  Himor face the consequences!

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Great Lessons from Zephaniah

• Judgments must come upon the wicked, and when
  they come, the only way to receive refuge and
  safety is by turning to god!
• It is better to turn to Him before judgment than
  to wait until it comesthen, it will be too late.