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Th The e B Book ook of GATHERING BEFORE HIS THRONE of Zephan Zephani iah ah Gladly Gathering 3:14-3:20 We face a dilemma as we ponder upon gathering before His throne. He’s mighty; we are weak. He’s holy; we are sinful. He’s all-wise; we wobble about in our inferior planning. If we draw closer to Him, then our sin, our faulty understandings of Him, and self-focused lifestyles all become exposed. On the other hand, if we stand aside from Him, He most likely will let us go along deceiving ourselves that all is well right up to the time we have to meet Him at His throne on the Lord’s Day. Our hope centers upon His warning to gather together before Him now rather than later. fearful exposure, but a strategically timed one. Along with this necessary purging comes an escape from our eternal judgment and a hope that God will specially bless us with a greater por- tion of His grace to seek His will and favor in our generation. Josiah’s humble and quick response to God’s Word (II Chronicles chapters 34-35) brought a mighty outpouring of God’s grace upon his generation. It’s a Developing and Maintaining an Intimate Relationship with our Lord *Approaching Him (2:1) "... Gather yourselves together" Realization and confession of sin **Understanding Him (3:8) "... My decision is to gather nations" Acceptance of God’s sovereign and holy plan ***Delighting in Him (3:18,20) "... I will gather you" Joy and confidence of His work in our lives The joy and hope of God's people originate from their identity in God. God calls His wayward people again and again to come back to Himself. This process will end but only upon His return. We should not be surprised at Zephaniah’s purpose of calling the people back to their covenant God. God often convicts our hearts of the same sinful tendency to leave God. Zephaniah chal- lenges us to pursue a godly lifestyle, to acquire a greater willingness to do what God wishes, and to get excited about the path obedience will take us.
Zephaniah GATHERING BEFORE GOD Zephaniah calls God's people to repentance and hope. Will you, will I respond? A. SELF-EXAMINATION (Zeph. 1:1-2:3) What we are like and really deserve. B. DESPERATE NEED OF REPENTANCE (Zeph. 2:4-3:8) Because His judgment is thorough and fair, and His covenant is grounded in His Love, there exists a greater plan, which if we hum- ble ourselves, can take part in. C. CALL TO JOY (Zeph. 3:9-20) The excitement of God's will! Historical Introduction Zephaniah the prophet prophesied during the reign of King Josiah who took his throne up at eight years-old in 639 B.C. (2 Chronicles 34-35). The book of Zephaniah was written before 629 B.C. when Josiah found and eagerly read the holy scriptures discovered in the temple. He later cele- brated a great Passover feast and cleansed both the temple and the priests. At this time, Assyria had already captured the northern kingdom of Israel. Over hundred years had past. God was now ready to destroy Judah the southern kingdom. But because of Josiah's reform, the fall of Judea was postponed until shortly after Josiah's time. Zephaniah's message no doubt played a key part in this revival. It is sobering to skim the list of judgments in this book or in any prophetical book. God does not take sin lightly; He has stated His legal case to judge Judah for her unfaithfulness. But God inter- vened in His own court presentation. Almost beckoning us, He interrupts His accusations and pleads for reform. He brought hope. The written judgments might look as if they were inevitable, but we see this as a faulty evaluation. Josiah was one who responded to God, and God merciful- ly responded by putting off the severe judgment. He brought a great revival. This situation was imprinted into history itself to let any of God's people know that if His people would bow down to Him in humility and voluntarily cleanse their lives, seek His will and act upon His vision, then God would come and bless them. Zephaniah was the great grandson of Hezekiah, supposably the good king of the past. In the first chapter, he clearly outlays the peoples' sins and retells Judah's doom. The second chapter depicts the doom of Judah's enemies, namely the Philistines, Moab, Amon, Ethiopia and Assyria. The condemnation of Jerusalem and restoration of Israel are mentioned in the last chapter. Significant events for Zephaniah around 625 B.C 721 Israel captured by Assyria 639 B.C 629 B.C 622 B.C Passover celebration 609 B.C 586 B.C Zephaniah written revival Judah captured by Babylon Josiah's 30 year reign
An Outline of Zephaniah Intro (1:1) A message to God's people The three sections end with a call to come. There are two groups: (1) those humbly gathering together, seeking the Lord [as the NT church (lit. assembly, gathering)] and (2) those who are arrogant and resistant to the Lord’s call. The Lord is calling all to eagerly seek Him so to be spared from His wrath. In the first section the people of God are shown their terrible sin and then mercifully told to gather themselves together before He releases His wrath. Those who are so arrogant so as not to humbly gather will themselves be gathered. God gathers them to judge them. Thirdly the future blessings (fully realized in eternity) are mentioned for those who have formerly gath- ered. They will be gathered by the Lord too but for blessing. Those of the Old Testament covenant who experience judgment find hope in the New Testament covenant. The pattern is the same in the old as well as the new. A group voluntarily gathers before the Lord seeking His grace (Lord’s supper/ communion) and yet still looks for the final gathering (the eternal feast/supper). The existing church is evidence of the eternal blessing, even as the destructive wars and ravages of death serve as evidence of a soon–coming eternal judgment. A A. . V Vol olunt untar The Advantage Of Self-examination (Zephaniah 1:1-2:3) ari il ly y Gath Gathering ering ( (1: 1:1 1- -2:3) 2:3) God’s invitation is inclusive. He welcomes and even commands all to humbly gather before Him. He openly announces the sins of the ‘people of God’ so that they in no way deceive themselves with respect God’s anger upon them. Even this announcement is an extra measure of grace to thrust people into His loving presence from His horrible wrath. 1. The Scene of His Judgment (1:2-3) God will usher judgment into every situation wherever there is sin to be found. 2. The Scope of His Judgment (1:4-13) Thorough examination of His peoples' deeds will come. 3. The Severity of His Judgment (1:14-18) It's near (14), fearsome darkness (15), powerful (16), gross (17), effective (18) 4. The Saving Opportunity Before His Judgment (2:1-3) Gather yourselves together: Opportunity for grace and salvation for His people B B. . Submissi Submissive Desperate Need Of Repentance (Zephaniah 2:4-3:8) vel ly y Gather Gathering ing (2:4-3: (2:4-3:8 8) ) Because His judgment is thorough and fair, and His covenant is grounded in His eternal love, there exists a greater plan, which if we humble ourselves, can take part in. 1. By Exposing His Plan For Judah's Neighbors (2:4-11a) *Immediate danger 2. By Exposing His Plan For The Major Powers (12-15) *Real danger 3. By Exposing His Plan For God's People (3:1-13) * Greatest danger C. C. R Re ejoici Call To Joy (Zephaniah 3:9-20) joicin ng gl ly y Gath Gathering ering (3: (3:9 9- -20 20) ) Our excitement commences its excitement when we begin to ponder on what He has done for us. Our salvation is real! He’s changed us. And even this excitement is strengthened as we contemplate that the Lord is committed to our well-being. 1. A People With The Lord's Joy (3:14) 2. A People With The Lord's Security (3:15-17) 3. A People With The Lord's Vision (3:18-20) –The excitement of God's will!
