Title as with each of the 12 minor prophets, the prophecy bears the name of its author, which is generally thought to mean the lord hides cf. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. The book declares judgment on many nations, all of which opposed god. Introduction from the niv study bible go to zephaniah.
I understand that zephaniah is not a long book, but i feel that in the context of this particular series, some more space could have been utilized. Zephaniah prophesied of the day of the lord zephaniah 1. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. Zephaniah 3 woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city.
Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniah s great. Dec 28, 2016 zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. The coming invasion of nebuchadnezzar a figure of the day of the lord, 1. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. The name of the book it is named after the prophet. The book of zephaniah was written before the fall of judah in 587 bc. Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations chapter 3 judgment upon jerusalem.
Both speak of gods cutting off humankind from the face of the earth 1. The hardness, impenitence, and shamelessness of this people. The books superscription attributes its authorship to zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah 1. Zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel. However, these facts can be explained in other ways and it seems best not to draw a firm conclusion either way on this point. Zephaniah means yahweh hides or has hidden, hidden in yahweh, yahwehs watchman, or yahweh treasured. All that is known of zephaniah comes from the text the name cushi, zephaniah s father, means cushite or ethiopian, and the text of zephaniah mentions the sin and restoration of. The major sins motivating this judgment, in zephaniahs view, are judahs worship of other deities 1. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line.
The nations purified, the remnant restored, jerusalem purged 3. I dare say that few have ever heard a sermon on zephaniah. Summary to zephaniah amid this judgment of the nation jerusalem holds the chief place. Zephaniah warns israel and the surrounding nations that the day of the lord is near. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. Like jeremiah and joseph smith, habakkuk asked god sincere and bold questions that reflected concern for his people and for the lords plans for them. It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god.
The first paragraph details the reason for the judgment of jerusalem zephaniah 3. Israel, the northern country consisting of ten tribes, and judah, the remaining two tribes in the south. The book of hosea consists of fourteen chapters, which was the record for a minor prophet until zechariah tied it a couple centuries later. On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me. Like other old testament prophets, zephaniah is a book rich in literary forms and features. The bible journey introduction to the book of zephaniah. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises.
The lord rejoices over the restoration of his people a. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. Zephaniah 3 niv jerusalem woe to the city of bible gateway. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning. Zephaniahs prophecy of judgment on judah and jerusalem emphasizes, perhaps more than. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. It probably dates from just before king josiahs religious reforms of 621bc see 2 kings 23. Zephaniah the one whom jehovah has chosen was a prophet of judah. Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city.
The little book of zephaniah will never take the place of john 3. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. For comparison, the ab volume on obadiah by paul raabe is over 300 pages. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. It will remove evil and open up a new future where all people can flourish in peace.
Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back. People of all nations will gather to worship the lord 2. The title of the prophecy informs us that the ministry of zephaniah took place during the reign of josiah 640609 b. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. Zephaniah 3 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. A contrast between a wicked city and a righteous god. This chapter contains the glorious climax of zephaniah s great prophecy in the last paragraph zephaniah 3.
Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. In this chapter the character of the city of jerusalem, and its inhabitants in general, is drawn, as it would be, and as it was, in the times of christ and his apostles, zephaniah 3. God lets us know that there will be a day he comes with his indignation and fierce anger devouring all the earth with the fire of his jealousy. Let me now tell you a true story to illustrate the dark side of love. Introduction to zephaniah historical context setting though an occasional voice of protest has been heard,648 few scholars have failed to accept the information in the superscription that the books author prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. The judgment of the nations followed by kingdom blessing under messiah, 3. Apr 28, 2019 the day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. The title of the book comes from the name of its writer. Zephaniah 3 the lord rejoices over the restoration of his people a.
Introduction to the book of zephaniah why study this book. He identified himself much better than any other of the minor prophets, mentioning four generations of ancestors, back to hezekiah, a good. Explain that similar destruction will come to all of the wicked in the day of gods judgment before the second coming of jesus christ. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. If judah repents and abandons its evil ways, perhaps god will forgive 2. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of. Zephaniah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zephaniah for bible study or sunday school lessons. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city. Zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. The purifying doctrines of the gospel, or the pure language of the grace of the lord, would teach men to. Introduction to the book of zephaniah the bible journey.
Zephaniah 3 commentary john gills exposition on the whole. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of coming judgment and to encourage repentance. Zephaniah concludes with the tender promise of god that he will gather all the people who have been expelled from their land and will give them fame and renown among all peoples 3. The book of zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of gods justice and love found in the prophetic books. Jerusalem woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled. The contents of this book have never been familiar, and i doubt that it has been read very much.
This reading from zephaniah is marked by hope, rejoicing, and reprieve, but it comes from the end of a threechapter book in which the first two chapters consist of horrific warnings. The day of the lord, the lord is in the midst of you author. The book of zephaniah is filled with the wrath and judgment of god see zeph. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. The moral state of israel for which the captivity was to come, 3. Zephaniah is the only old testament biblical book that records god singing 3. This is not the only place where this theme occurs, of course, but it is the most concentrated treatment of the judgment of god as the whole book is devoted to this one theme. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer. The book of zephaniah is a short announcement of gods impending judgment on judah 1.
In chapter 3, the spirit of god, while laying open the iniquity which occasioned it, turns towards the remnant, and exhorts them to wait upon jehovah, since all hope was gone. Almost half of that is devoted to the introduction. Like jeremiah, zephaniah prophesies that judah will be punished for following pagan gods. Zephaniah 3 is the third and last chapter of the book of zephaniah in the hebrew bible or the. She does not trust in the lord, she does not draw near to her god. She has not obeyed his voice, she has not received correction. Zephaniah 3 bible commentary matthew henry concise.
The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. Zephaniah 3 commentary john gills exposition on the. Introduction to the book of zephaniah, old testament seminary student material 2018 why study this book. The book of zephaniah introduction to the book of zephaniah in the bible. During the time of the minor prophets, the nation of israel had divided into two separate countries, each with its own government. The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. Zephaniah introduction scofield reference bible commentary. Zephaniah intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. Introduction to spiritual gifts chuck smith exodus 1112 197982 audio chuck smith. This short book has been called the compendium of all prophecy.
It describes the sinful condition of a soul apart from christ zephaniah 3. Those who should have been leaders in righteousness are leaders in iniquityprinces, judges, prophets, priests. Ibd the judgment of the l ord portrayed by the prophet zephaniah springs from his nature as a g od of holiness. Verse 1, the word of the l ord which came to zephaniah the son of cushi, the son of gadaliah, the son of amariah, the son of hezekiah, in the days of josiah the son of amon, king of judah. She has not trusted in the lord, she has not drawn.