Understanding Zephaniah’s Prophecies and Themes
Zephaniah (NKJV) 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.
Author:
- Zephaniah
- Zephaniah means that the Lord has Hidden
Date:
- 630 BC
- Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah, the young king of Judah.
- Other Prophets during this time include Jeremiah and Nahum.
- Zephaniah was the last prophet before Judah went into captivity.
Theme:
- The wrath and judgement of a loving God toward the nations and the restoration of a remnant.
Purpose:
- During this time, Judah had been paying tribute to Assyria, which opened the doors for increasing pagan worship. Zephaniah prophesied against the complacency of the people of Judah.
- He painted the darkest picture of God’s judgment and the brightest picture of God’s restoration.
Content:
- God’s judgement announced: Zephaniah 1:1-2:3
- Zephaniah 1:2-4 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
- Judgment against the nations: Zephaniah 2:4-15
- Here there is a list of judgments against the nations
- The future of Jerusalem 3:1-20
- Zephaniah 3:13(NKJV) The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”
- Zephaniah 3:17(NKJV) The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Christ in the Book of Zephaniah
- Hidden in Christ
- Zephaniah means “The Lord has Hidden”
- Colossians 3:1-3(NKJV)If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
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