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The Twelve Minor Prophets

Zephaniah
​'The Day of the LORD is at Hand'


Some believers in our day are refraining from using the threefold title, the Lord Jesus Christ, thinking that it is a “Cliché”. As we reflect day by day on the goodness of God, the faithfulness of God and the preserving care of God: how then do we give thanks unto God who has blessed us so abundantly? Do we do it in a way that we feel is right, or that is comfortable to us? My brother, my sister, there is a way… indeed a Biblical way. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Giving thanks always, is what should characterise our lives. For all things, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17). Unto God, the Everlasting God who has never changed, but who is our Father. As children in the family of God, each one having the dignity and standing of firstborn sons; and as a Kingdom of Priests, we need the ministry of the Great High Priest in the Divine Sanctuary. Access for us into the Holiest is in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all our asking … let us ever remember to give thanks in His worthy Name!

Some background details for the setting and study of Zephaniah!
  • Zephaniah & Jeremiah!
Zephaniah was contemporary with Jeremiah, both ministering during the reign of Josiah (Zep 1:1 & Jer 1:2). Jeremiah ministered until the end of the reign of Zedekiah, marking the end of the Kings of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity. As mentioned in previous notes Habakkuk comes after Zephaniah as to time, possibly during the reign of Jehoiakim, but before him in the Cannon of Scripture (see note below).
  • Zephaniah & Josiah!
Good King Hezekiah, having brought in some reforms, also kept the Passover (2 Kings 18:1 & 2 Chron 30:1). His son Manasseh provoked God and filled Jerusalem with innocent blood (2 Kings 21:16). Later he did humble himself and commanded the people to follow the Lord (2 Chron 33:11-17). Amon his son reigned only two years, doing evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Chron 33:21-22). Josiah was only eight years old when he began to reign and sought the Lord when he was sixteen (2 Chron 34:1-3). There was no King like him “…that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to the Law of Moses…” (2 Kings 23:25). He destroyed the idols in Judah and Israel, keeping a solemn Passover (2 Kings 23). Interestingly, any direct reference to Josiah, his reforms, or solemn Passover, are all omitted by Zephaniah! 
  • Zephaniah & Judah!
As Assyria Captivity in the days of Hezekiah King of Judah had brought Israel to an end, the ministry of Zephaniah was to Judah and Jerusalem (1:4). He begins with six “I Will’s”! God’s judgment is in view with an invasion by the Chaldean’s (1:7-8). The opening section to Judah concludes with an exhortation to seek the Lord (2:3). He prophesies the judgment of God on the nations, with the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria (2:13-15). Chapter three begins with a “Woe” on the City (Jerusalem), the Princes, the Judges, the Prophets, and the Priests. The judgment of the nations, their blessing, and the future blessing of Israel is assured (3:8-20).
  • Zephaniah & his place in the Cannon of Scripture!
Nahum is occupied with the destruction of Nineveh (see previous notes on Nahum). Zephaniah prophesies of this event (2:13-15). Habakkuk is troubled about the imminent Babylonian invasion in his day of which Zephaniah speaks (1:7-8). However, Zephaniah follows both in the cannon of Scripture as he has his eye on the future: “…for the Day of the Lord is at hand…” (1:7).

ZEPHANIAH; 'Prophet of Royal Blood'. (F. A. Tatford)
 
Outline:
  • Introduction (1:1).
Zephaniah is introduced as the great, great, grandson of Hezekiah. His ministry is fixed here during the reign of Josiah. The last five kings of Judah were: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah.

  • Word from God to Judah & Jerusalem (1:2:18).
Vs 2-3. This section begins with a six-fold, “I Will”! The judgment is of God, with the word consume three times. This sets the tone for the opening chapter and for the book, “…for the Day of the Lord is at hand…” (1:7). [In the study notes on Joel, the “Day of the Lord” is dealt with in more detail]. 
Vs 4-6. Judah and Jerusalem primarily in view. Remnant of Baal? Had Josiah’s reforms already begun? Chemarims, Idolatrous Priests (2 Kings 23:5). Worshipper’s of the host of heaven, from the housetops. Malcham… Great King… god of the children of Ammon (1 Kings 11:33… spelt, Milcom).
Vs 7-8. Lord’s sacrifice. His people to be sacrificed in judgment. God will punish or visit in judgment. Guests are bid, sanctified, or set apart! Habakkuk wondered at this, the Chaldean’s, “…O Lord thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God thou hast established them for correction” (Habakkuk 1:12).
Vs 9-13. The greedy are punished. A lamentation with a cutting down and a cutting off. Jerusalem searched, those that are complacent shall become a desolation.
Vs 14-18. The great Day of the Lord. Characteristics of the Day… “the mighty man shall cry there bitterly… wrath… trouble… distress… wasteness… desolation… gloominess… clouds…. darkness…” - WHY? They have sinned against the Lord!

  • Welcome from God to Judah & Jerusalem (2:1-3).
V 1. An exhortation to gather together, “O nation not desired”.
V 2. An opportunity, before… four times! Time is running out.
V 3. What they are to do… seek… three times! The priority… to seek the Lord.

  • Word from God to Gentile Nations (2:4-15).
Vs 4-7. Philistia (West). Judged, uninhabited, the portion of the remnant of the house of Judah.
Vs 8-11. Moab & Ammon (East). Moab as Sodom, Ammon as Gomorrah.
V 12. Cush (South). Ethiopians, descendants from Cush (Gen 10:6) occupied the land in the upper Nile region.
Vs 13-15. Assyria (North). Nineveh "a desolation… the rejoicing city"… the city of boasting.
Question! Are these four, representing the four parts of the compass, illustrative of God’s universal judgment?

  • Woe from God to Jerusalem (3:1-7).
Vs 1-2. City likened to a woman: “filthy… polluted… oppressing” or (rebellious, defiled, tyrannical, NASB). Refused to hear the voice of God or to receive instruction.
V 3. Princes like “roaring lions… Judges like evening wolves”. The cruelty and greed of the rulers is declared.
V 4. Prophets are light or frothy, no backbone… see Judges 9:4. “The Priests have polluted the sanctuary”.
V 5. No shame as to God’s Presence or to His patience. “Every morning” or “morning by morning”!
Vs 6-7. God’s judgment on other nations produced no fear in His own people, therefore no change/repentance.

  • Waiting upon God (3:8-13).
V 8. The nations will be gathered by God to receive their judgment.
V 9. The Peoples plural! Nations are blessed here.
Vs 10-13. Suppliants, worshippers returning. The dispersed or scattered are bringing their own offering.

  • Working of God (3:14-20).
Vs 14-15. An exhortation to “sing … shout… be glad and rejoice…”. It is what the Lord hath done!
V 16. A word of comfort… “fear thou not… let not thine hands be slack” (limp or faint).
V 17. As a result, “God… will save… rejoice… joy over thee with singing”!
Vs 18-20. God will gather the people again for the solemn assembly. As the prophecy opens with six “I Wills” of judgment (1:2-4) it closes here with six “I Wills” of blessing.

Gary Woods
Answers About God. Copyright © 2020, Aaron Colgan
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  • Home
  • Gospel Words
    • A Deadly Deed
    • Saving a President
    • The Death Zone
    • An Anchor of the Soul
    • Afraid Twice
    • Two Ways
    • Withering Grass & Fading Flowers
    • A Spider's Web
    • The Voice of the Son of God
    • Forgiven!
    • The Full Assurance of Hope
    • A Sinner's Prayer
    • A Present & Personal Saviour
    • The Great Supper
    • Judgment is Coming
    • A Closed Heart
    • "Iceberg Right Ahead!"
    • The Lamb of God
    • Truth & Certainty
    • 'Then the King Will Say'
    • The Testimony of the Chief of Sinners
    • The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner
    • The Power of Christ
    • The Good Shepherd
    • 'Wonderful Words of Life'
    • Finding Wisdom
    • The Unchanging Person of Jesus Christ
  • Bible Answers
    • Remembering Our Creator
    • Was the Cross Necessary?
    • What is God Like?
    • Does the Resurrection Matter?
    • What's in a Name?
    • Why Must We be Saved?
    • "Who Art Thou, Lord?"
    • "The Unknown God" - Just Who is He?
    • "What is Truth?"
    • "Holy, Holy, Holy"
    • Knowing God
    • A Conversion Story
    • The Gospel according to Jonah
    • "Jesus of Nazareth, a Man Approved of God"
    • The Saviour of the World
    • A Chosen Vessel
    • Who is Jesus?
    • God's Mercy & Judgment
    • Does What I Think about the Son of God Matter?
    • 'How Shall we Escape if we Neglect so Great Salvation'?
    • What is Life Really All About?
    • The Rock of Ages
    • Easter Messages >
      • The Sufferings of Christ - Part 1
      • The Sufferings of Christ - Part 2
      • The Resurrection of Christ
      • Zion's King & God's Lamb
    • Christmas Messages >
      • Joseph, Mary & the Birth of Jesus
      • "A Savior who is Christ the Lord"
      • Hark the Herald Angels Sing
      • Covenant Promises & the Birth of Christ
  • Timeless Truths
    • Timeless Truths 1
    • Timeless Truths 2
    • Timeless Truths 3
    • Timeless Truths 4
    • Timeless Truths 5
    • Timeless Truths 6
    • Timeless Truths 7
  • Expository Messages
    • Topical Messages >
      • Spiritual Warfare
    • Psalms >
      • Psalms 84-88 >
        • Psalm 84 - The Courts of the LORD
        • Psalm 85 - 'Revive us Again'
        • Psalm 86 - Calling upon God in the Day of Trouble
        • Psalm 87 - The Glory of Zion, 'City of God'
        • Psalm 88 - Hands Stretched out in Grief
    • Minor Prophets - Study Notes by Gary Woods >
      • The Twelve Minor Prophets - An Overview
      • Hosea P1
      • Hosea P2
      • Joel P1
      • Joel P2
      • Amos P1
      • Amos P2
      • Obadiah
      • Jonah
      • Micah
      • Nahum
      • Habakkuk P1
      • Habakkuk P2
      • Zephaniah
      • The Post-Captivity Prophets - An Introduction
      • Haggai
      • Zechariah P1
      • Zechariah P2
      • Malachi
    • The Lord's Upper Room Ministry >
      • John 13:1-3 - The Omniscient Christ
      • John 13:4-17 - The Foot Washing Ministry of the Perfect Servant
      • John 13:18-38 - The Son of Man Glorified
      • John 14:1-3 - The Father's House P1
      • John 14:4-7 - The Father's House P2
      • John 14:8-14 - The Father's Visibility
      • John 14:15-26 - The Father's Gift
      • John 14:27-31 - The Father's Primacy
      • John 17 - The Lord's Intercessory Prayer
      • Excursus: The Passover & the Last Supper
    • Romans >
      • Romans - An Introduction
      • Romans - An Outline
      • Romans 1:1-7 - Paul's Salutation
      • Romans 1:8-17 - Visiting Rome & Gospel Debt
      • Romans 1:18-32 - Wrath Revealed & Why
      • Romans 2 - An Introduction to a Difficult Chapter
      • Romans 2:1-5 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P1
      • Romans 2:6-11 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P2
      • Romans 2:12-16 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P3
      • Romans 2:17-29 - The Guilt of the Self-confident
      • Romans 3:1-20 - 'All the World Guilty'
      • Romans 3:21-24 - The Heart of the Gospel P1
      • Romans 3:25a - The Heart of the Gospel P2
      • Romans 3:25b-31 - The Heart of the Gospel P3
    • 1 Corinthians >
      • 1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21 - Worldly Wisdom
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