Reading the Bible together – Zephaniah
May 2020
– The book we are reading this month is the book of Zephaniah, which is the 36th book of the Old Testament.
This will be the 62nd book of the Bible we will have read, since commencing this initiative over four years ago in October 2015. (We have actually read Matthew and Joshua twice!) . There are a total of 66 books in the Bible, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Only 4 more to go and we will have read the whole Bible together!
We may not be able to review this book in the usual way during the coronavirus pandemic. However, this does not stop us from continuing to read the Bible together and to benefit from our own personal study of this book.
Introduction to the Book of Zephaniah
Zephaniah 1:4-8 – 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; And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD’S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
Zephaniah 1:14-18 – The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
A Brief Overview
Bible Survey – Zephaniah
Hebrew Name – Tsephaniyah “Yahweh Hides”
Greek Name – Sophonias (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author – Zephaniah (According to Tradition)
Date – 630 BC Approximately
Theme – The Day of the Lord is Approaching
Types and Shadows – In Zephaniah The Day of Jesus is Coming
Summary of The Book of Zephaniah
Overview
- Chapter 1:1-18 – Judah’s coming destruction and the Day of the Lord.
- Chapter 2:1-3:8 – The Judgment upon the Nations.
- Chapter 3:9-20 – Blessings in the Kingdom.
The opening verses of the book of Zephaniah revealed the prophet Zephaniah’s lineage that traced back to King Hezekiah, which made him of royal blood. Zephaniah probably lived in Judah, and possibly Jerusalem since he clearly knew the city so well. According to Zephaniah 1:1 the prophecy took place during the early portion of the reign of Josiah (642-611 BC), and revival didn’t come under the reign of Josiah until 18 years after he took the throne. Zephaniah brings up the lack of justice in the land, oppression of the poor, and wealth that was gained by violence and fraudulent practices (Zephaniah 1:8-9). The people had forsaken the Lord under the evil reign of King Manasseh, and they were still worshiping Baal (Zephaniah 1:4). Many were worshiping and swearing oaths by the name of heathen deities like Malcham, who was associated with the god Moloch, the god who required worship by human sacrifice (Zephaniah 1:5). Many had completely “turned back from the Lord” (Zephaniah 1:6). The Lord said that he will search out and punish those who have “settled on their lees” (Zephaniah 1:12), thinking in their heart that God will not do anything.
Outline of the Book of Zephaniah
The prophet Zephaniah’s main message was concerning the “Day of the Lord” which he mentions continually throughout the book. On that day, the Lord will personally deal with those who had forsaken him and become corrupt. The day of the Lord is a day of destruction, a terrible day, a day in which very few will escape. Zephaniah 3 reveals the blessings of the day of the Lord, they will be a pure language “that everyone may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent” (Zephaniah 3:9). He gives a beautiful imagery of the fortunes of the “Daughter of Zion”: God will do away with their sins, there lies, their deceitful tongues, and “they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” (Zephaniah 3:13).
“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.” Zephaniah 3:17
Zephaniah 1:1-3 God’s Judgment upon the World
Zephaniah 1:4-13 God’s Judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem
Zephaniah 1:14-18 The Day of the Lord
Zephaniah 2:1-3 God’s Call for Repentance
Zephaniah 2:4-7 God’s Judgment upon the Philistines
Zephaniah 2:8-10 God’s Judgment upon the Moabites and the Ammonites
Zephaniah 2:11-15 God’s Judgment upon Other Nations like Ethiopia and Assyria
Zephaniah 3:1-8 God’s Judgment upon Jerusalem
Zephaniah 3:9-13 Salvation and Blessings in the Kingdom
Zephaniah 3:14-20 God Is Praised in the Kingdom
More information can be found HERE
SHORT ILLUSTRATED SUMMARY OF ZEPHANIAH
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