Zephaniah’s Zeal
Jan 12, 2016
Zephaniah’s Zeal
Zephaniah
Only 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 message
About 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: God’s judgment was coming
Reading Zephaniah for first time
Central theme: Day of the Lord
1. Would bring total destruction, 1:2-2:3
2. Would include other nations, 2:4-3:8
3. Would precede great mercy: God will save His remnant, 3:9-20
Day of the Lord 1:7, at hand 1:8, Lord’s sacrifice 1:10, wailing 1:14, mighty cry out 1:15, wrath, trouble,
distress, desolation, darkness, gloom, clouds, darkness
1:16, trumpet, siren 1:17, distress, blood 1:18, riddance 2:2, fierce anger 2:3, Lord’s anger 3:8, plunder, indig-
nation, fierce anger, devoured, jealousy
I. Timing OfJudgment, 1:1
A period of apostasy
When apostasy prevails, sin enjoys widespread acceptance Evil dominates news Timid folks jump on bandwagon
But it’s not all bad
Some would rather switch than fight, succumbing to . . .
1. Immorality
2. Indifference
3. Imitation (watered-down church; fake)
1 Kings 19
Zephaniah – Jeremiah – Josiah
1. If Zephaniah writes before Josiah’s reforms, he risks wrath (2 Sm.12)
2. Jer.3:6-10, triple indictment
Josiah’s reforms produced only outward change
Josiah’s untimely death freed people from God
I. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1
II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4
Zeph.1:2-4, reversal of creation
Judah: totaled, 2
God’s outstretched hand (3-4). Ex.3:20
Creator becomes Destroyer
Cosmos becomes chaos
Man becomes endangered species (3)
I. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1
III. Targets OfJudgment, 1:5-2:3
II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4
Main focus: God’s people
God’s power once protected Judah Now it will pulverize them Ro.8:31 Great blessings impose
great responsibilities
Family Church
Lost Growth
Indictments against Judah 5-6, pluralists –
Forsook Lord for astrology, 2 K.21:3-5; Ps.8:3
Turned to Baal & Milcom, 1 K.11:5, 7 (1 K.18)
Forgot Carmel, 1 K.18. Is.29:13
Indictments against Judah 5-6, pluralists – 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:18 9-10, thieves, liars 11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:5 12, complacent (practical atheists)
Settled on leesSmug, self-righteous, self-satisfied
Indictments against Judah 5-6, pluralists – 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:18 9-10, thieves, liars 11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:5 12, complacent (practical atheists) 2:1, shameless (3:5). Jer.6:15 3:1-2, rebels, stubborn, faithless, aloof
Ethiopia(Cush)
Judgment was going around
Indictments against Judah 5-6, pluralists – 8, traitors. 2 K.20:18. Jer.2:18 9-10, thieves, liars 11, materialists. 1 Sm.5:5 12, complacent (practical atheists) 2:1, shameless (3:5). Jer.6:15 3:1-2, rebels, stubborn, faithless, aloof 3:3-4, 7, serious about sin
I. Timing Of Judgment, 1:1
IV. Termination Of Judgment, 1:5-2:3
II. Terror Of Judgment, 1:2-4
III. Targets Of Judgment, 1:5-2:3
The Plea (2:1-3) It may be…hidden (3) Lk.13:1-5
Judgment forces us to face our mortality, in the hope that we will
prepare for our immortality by repenting of our immorality
The Plea (2:1-3)
The Plan (3:8-19) 8: faithful remnant waits, trusts 9: supreme purpose: salvation 10-11, after purge, only meek remain
14-15, recognize God as King 17, time to rejoice (Lk.15) 18-20, I will
In My holy mountain: Is.2, 11; Dn.2