Zephaniah: Blessing Through Judgment
Lessons From Zephaniah
- The consequences of sin must never be neglected in preaching our forgotten in daily living
- We must constantly stay in tune with God's Word
- We must never forget that despite world events, God is in complete control
- The only true safety in life is found in "taking refuge in the name of the LORD"
- When we appease men of all religions, we show unbelief in the distinct Lordship of Jesus Christ
- Our goods will do us no good in the day of judgment
- The LORD is not far from us unless we put up barriers of indifference and sin
- The attitude of wait on the LORD has two ideas: obey the LORD's will and be patient
Purpose:
To shake the people of Judah out of their complacency and urge them to return to God Author: Zephaniah Original Audience: The people of Judah (the southern kingdom) Date Written: Probably near the end of Zephaniah's ministry (640-621 B.C.), when King Josiah's great reforms began |
Setting:
King Josiah of Judah was attempting to reverse the evil trends set by the two previous kings of Judah—Manasseh and Amon. Josiah was able to extend his influence because no strong superpower was dominating the world at that time (Assyria was declining rapidly). Zephaniah's prophecy may have been the motivating factor in Josiah's reform. Zephaniah was a contemporary of Jeremiah. |
Key Verse:
"Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands . Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger" (2:3). Key Place: Jerusalem Key Themes: Day of Judgment, Indifference to God, Day of Cheer |
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"Zephaniah's message must have helped forward the reformation of King Josiah: for, he directed his blows against religious syncretism—a mixture of Baal, Milcom, and star worship—and exhorted his people to seek meekness and righteousness, promising that, if they did, all would be well. It is unfair to say that his message is 'wholly negative and destructive.' That statement is true only when the promissory portions are detached by an illogical and unscientific criticism." —(Robinson, pg. 134) |
"After the promises of taking away sin, follow promises of taking away trouble. When the cause is removed, the effect will cease. What makes a people holy, will make them happy. The precious promises made to the purified people, were to have full accomplishment in the gospel." —Matthew Henry