The Prophet Zephaniah

I. Text:

II. Background

A. During the reign of Josiah

B. Zephaniah prophesied during a period of great spiritual revival. During Hezekiah’s reign the people turned as one back to serve God and to destroy the idols of the land.

C. Under the two kings after him—Manasseh and Amon—the people returned to idolatry and wickedness.

D. During Manasseh and Amon’s reign the people followed after their wickedness; Manasseh’s evil being considered worse than the Amonites that God drove from the Promised Land during the conquest under Joshua. Though Manasseh repented of his wickedness, God determined to punish Judah for the innocent blood shed during his reign and for idolatry.

E. When Josiah took the throne, the temple was in great disrepair to the point that the law of God had even been lost!

F. He began reigning at 8 years old and the temple was restored (and the law found) in his eighteenth year; so there is an almost 20 year span before the great renewal under Josiah. When Josiah heard the Law, he was sorrowful and urged the people to repent; this ushered in a final great renewal of faith for Judah.

G. World situation

H. The Babylonians are growing as a world power. God determined to take Judah into captivity using the Babylonians.

I. About Zephaniah

J. There are no other clear references to Zephaniah though other people by that name appear in scripture. He traces his lineage back to Hezekiah; it could be King Hezekiah.

III. Zephaniah begins with a pronouncement of judgment

A. He opens with a proclamation from God, “I will utterly consume the land.”

B. He would consume man and animal. He would cut off the idols and the priests who serve them.

C. He likens this day of punishment as a great feast day for the Lord.

D. At the feast, God would serve His people to their enemies.

E. He would punish the royal family who make close relations with the foreign nations. Zephaniah 3:3-4 – Princes, judges, and prophets punished

F. The day of wrath and the reason it is coming, Zephaniah 1:15-17.

G. Silver and gold will not buy their freedom.

H. They will lose everything, Zephaniah 1:13

I. When they were to enter Canaan under Joshua, they would live in houses they did not build, etc. God told them that it was not because they were so good, but because the nations were evil. Now Judah has become evil, and other people will live in their houses and eat of their vineyards.

J. The attitude of the people

K. They think God will do neither good nor evil, Zephaniah 1:12. They have refused God’s correction, Zephaniah 3:1.

IV. Call to repentance

A. Repent before it is too late, Zephaniah 2:1.

B. Seek the Lord in meekness, Zephaniah 2:1

C. Seek righteousness, Zephaniah 2:3

D. Seek humility, Zephaniah 2:3

V. The faithful remnant

A. God would destroy their enemies, Zephaniah 3:8.

B. God would restore a remnant of the people, Zephaniah 3:11-13

C. The remnant would be blessed

D. God would take away their condemnation (3:15) God would protect them from their enemies (3:15) God would give them courage and strength (3:16) God would give them peace (3:17) God would dwell among them (3:17)