Zephaniah Overview

It is hard sometimes to see the overall theme in the Prophecy books.  The Key is to look at God’s character, not the people.  Amos, Obadiah and Nahum were all about God’s judgment; Isaiah was about God’s Salvation, Jonah about God’s Love, and now Zephaniah is about God’s Restoration.  “The great day of the Lord is near” v 1:14 .

Zephaniah:  the first verse is:

The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:

So what do we know…if he was the great great grandson of Hezekiah he has seen Jerusalem at it’s best…fall to it’s worst and then again at it’s best with Josiah.

So Zephaniah speaks from experience and will bring a strong message to the people.  He prophesied in the days of King Josiah, born probably while Manasseh was king, I remember he was a BAD king because I use the middle 3 letters in his name as a reminder..

So the little we do know about Zephaniah was that he was royalty, a prince most likely, in the line of Judah.  Fifty years has elapsed since the prophecy of Nahum, and three descendants have taken the throne since Hezekiah, all wicked and idol worshiping.  Social injustice is at an all time high, the rich are wealthy and the poor are starving.  Idol  worship is practiced by most.

Zephaniah will speak of a Loving God, yet a Strong God.  Zephaniah will also speak of the doom to come to Nineveh that Nahum prophesied.   Moreover,  Zephaniah will speak directly of denouncing idolatry.  Remember back when Josiah  became king and smashed down the alters and idols.

This book will end very different than the way it will begin.  It begins in sorrow but ends in Glory.  Zephaniah will tell:

• That the faithful remnant will be delivered from captivity
• That the Gentile nation will be converted (Yay!)
• That one day everyone will worship the Lord, not just in Jerusalem.

Enjoy the read tomorrow…

ONLY 57 days away from the New Testament!!  You have been reading for 218 Days!!  YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!