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Old Testament Survey: The Book of Zephaniah

Old Testament Survey: The Book of Zephaniah. “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger.” (2:3). A World Judgment. Background. Period of Zephaniah: 630—625 B.C.

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Old Testament Survey: The Book of Zephaniah

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  1. Old Testament Survey: The Book of Zephaniah “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger.” (2:3) A World Judgment

  2. Background • Period ofZephaniah: 630—625 B.C. • 100 years since the days of Micah. • Assyrian captivity in722 B.C. • Judah continuing but becoming more corrupt. • Zephaniah prophesied in Jerusalem, to the nation of Judah. • The name Zephaniah means“Jehovah hides.”

  3. Background • Hezekiah was Zephaniah’s great-great grandfather. • Hezekiah’s good reign is now being followed by the evil reign of his son,Manasseh. • Manasseh—Judah’s most wicked king. • Manasseh’s son, Ammon,followed in his father’s footsteps. • There was terrible idolatryandmoral corruption. • Social injustice was widespread. • Luxuryandextravaganceon every hand.

  4. Background • By Zephaniah’s time, Judah had her last good king—Josiah. • Introduced reform in Judah by abolishing idolatry and breaking down the idols. • Restored the true worship of God—but he was not completely successful. • Reforms recorded in2 Chronicles 34,35. • In the east, Babylon was rising to power.

  5. Background • In 625, the Babylonians rebelled against Assyria. • Nebuchadnezzar was general of the Babylonian army. • In 612, he destroyed Nineveh. • Began building the Babylonian Empire. • Zephaniah prophesied during the Chaldean rise to power.

  6. Theme and Plea • Zephaniah declared the certainty of God’s love and wrath. • He was extremely loyal to God and uncompromising as a prophet. • He prophesied that the great day of the Lord’s anger against all evil doers is “at hand.” • This included Judah! • Israel is warned but unconcerned. • “Day of the Lord” refers to the rendering of God’s judgment.

  7. Keys to Book of Zephaniah • Key words • Divine jealousy and wrath • Key phrase • “The day of the Lord” (7 times) • Key chapter • Chapter 3 • Key verse • 1:14 “The great day of the LORD is near; it is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; there the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness.”

  8. Keys to Book of Zephaniah “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one accord.” • Key words • Divine jealousy and wrath • Key phrase • “The day of the Lord” (7 times) • Key chapter • Chapter 3 • Key verse • 3:9

  9. The Book • Somber in tone; yet ends with glad day—”coming of the Lord” • The “Day of the Lord”—a declaration of divine retribution • Rebuke of heathen nations—call to repentance • Jerusalem’s sin, future hope and promise of redemption • Divine judgment (1:14-18) • Divine blessings (3:14-17)

  10. The Book ‘s Message • Judgment on the entire world, especially Judah(1:1-18) • Terrible judgment on the face of the earth(1:2,3) • Judgment on Judah for idolatry(1:4-6) • Sinners of every rank(1:7,8) • Thieves(1:9) • Corrupt and dishonest traders(1:10,11) • Wealthy and indifferent(1:12,13)

  11. The Book ‘s Message • Judgment on the entire world, especially Judah(1:1-18) • Referred to as “the great day of the Lord” • A day of wrath and of trouble • Darkness and gloom; clouds and thick darkness; trumpet and alarm(1:15,16) • Silver and gold cannot save (1:17,18) • Sin always brings God’s judgment!

  12. The Book ‘s Message • God’s call to repentance(2:1—3:8) • Calls on people to “turn back to Him” • He wants them to seek the Lord(2:2,3) • Their only hope for a hiding place in the day of such terror—”in the Lord” • Pronounces judgment against nations(2:4-15) • If the heathen nations will be punished for idolatry and wickedness, so will Judah!(3:1-8)

  13. The Book ‘s Message • Salvation of the remnant(3:9-20) • Book closes with a bright picture of hope to be realized in the distant future • The age of the Messiah • In the Messianic kingdom, both Jews and Gentiles will be saved. • God would be in their midst to save and bring joy. (3:17) • Gathered to God with praise and glory(3:19) {Kingdom and in Christ today}

  14. Great Lessons from Zephaniah • The day of Jehovah is a day of judgment upon the wicked. • If God judged and punished wicked nations in that day, how will any nation escape unless it returns to His righteousness. • All Bible judgments point to a FINAL JUDGMENTto come!

  15. Great Lessons from Zephaniah • The book teaches that the Lord God is the only God over all the earth. • All the world must respect, honor, and obey Him—or face the consequences!

  16. Great Lessons from Zephaniah • Judgments must come upon the wicked, and when they come, the only way to receive refuge and safety is by turning to god! • It is better to turn to Him before judgment than to wait until it comes—then, it will be too late.

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