In today’s video we’re going to, survey and briefly summarize the Book of Zephaniah.
Then afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
As for the Author: Zephaniah 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Zephaniah as the
Prophet Zephaniah.
The name Zephaniah means "defended by God."
As for the Date of Writing: The book of Zephaniah was written during the reign of King Josiah,
likely in the early part of his reign, between 635 and 625 BC.
Now, the Purpose of Writing: Zephaniah’s message of judgment and encouragement contains
three major doctrines: 1) God is sovereign over all nations.
2) The wicked will be punished and the righteous will be vindicated on the day of judgment.
3) God blesses those who repent and trust in Him.
Here are some Key Verses:
Zephaniah 1:18, "Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the
day of the LORD’s wrath.
In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden
end of all who live in the earth."
Zephaniah 2:3, "Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s
anger."
Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over
you with singing."
Here’s a Brief Summary: Zephaniah pronounces the Lord’s judgment on the whole earth,
on Judah, on the surrounding nations, on Jerusalem, and on all nations.
This is followed by proclamations of the Lord’s blessing on all nations and especially on
the faithful remnant of His people in Judah.
Zephaniah had the courage to speak bluntly because he knew he was proclaiming the Word
of the Lord.
His book begins with "The word of the Lord" and ends with "says the Lord."
He knew that neither the many gods the people worshiped nor even the might of the Assyrian
army could save them.
God is gracious and compassionate, but when all His warnings are ignored, judgment is
to be expected.
God’s day of judgment is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures.
The prophets called it the "Day of the Lord."
They referred to various events such as the fall of Jerusalem as manifestations of God’s
Day, each of which pointed toward the ultimate Day of the Lord.
As for Foreshadowings: The final blessings on Zion pronounced in 3:14-20 are largely
unfulfilled, leading us to conclude that these are messianic prophecies that await the Second
Coming of Christ to be completed.
The Lord has taken away our punishment only through Christ who came to die for the sins
of His people.
But Israel has not yet recognized her true Savior.
This is yet to happen.
The promise of peace and safety for Israel, a time when their King is in their midst,
will be fulfilled when Christ returns to judge the world and redeem it for Himself.
Just as He ascended to heaven after His resurrection, so will He return and set up a new Jerusalem
on earth.
At that time, all God’s promises to Israel will be fulfilled.
Now some Practical Application: With a few adjustments in names and situations, this
prophet of 7th century B.C. could stand in our pulpits today and deliver the same message
of judgment of the wicked and hope for the faithful.
Zephaniah reminds us that God is offended by the moral and religious sins of His people.
God’s people will not escape punishment when they sin willfully.
Punishment may be painful, but its purpose may be redemptive rather than punitive.
The inevitability of the punishment of wickedness gives comfort in a time when it seems that
evil is unbridled and victorious.
We have the freedom to disobey God but not the freedom to escape the consequences of
that disobedience.
Those who are faithful to God may be relatively few, but He does not forget them.
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