This prophecy shall be fulfilled in the kingdom age. The title of the book comes from the name of its writer. Nov 03, 2015 the book of zephaniah nasb audio bible non dramatized duration. The message of zephaniah to the global church of the twentyfirst century is the certainty of the coming day of the lord zeph.
Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. On that day, punishment will be executed on all gods enemies from many nations and salvation will be granted to all gods people, also from many nations. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. According to the textbook, habakkuks interaction with god is a reminder that the life of faith often involves lament, complaint, and pouring out of. Zephaniah son of cushi is given credit for writing the book of zephaniah in the bible. If its theme were known, i think it would be very much appreciated because it has the same theme as the gospel of john. Zephaniah practically gives the address of the united states. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1.
God will judge the nations with a burning fire as he purifies them from sin, evil and violence. This is not the only place where this theme occurs, of course, but it is the most concentrated treatment of the judgment of god as the whole book is devoted to this one theme. The book is concerned throughout with the day of the lord. Zephaniah is letting the people know that those who follow the lords commands, those who remain humble and seek to be righteous, may be protected on the day.
Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. The book of zephaniah was written during the reign of king josiah, likely in the early part of his reign, between 635 and 625 bc. In chapter 1 were going to skip down, though, just a little bit to verse 14. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like.
The book of zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of gods justice and love found in the prophetic books. A threatening of the destruction of judah and jerusalem, an utter destruction, by the chaldeans, zephaniah 1. Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. Thus the period from 640 to 622 is the likely time for the giving of the prophecy. The name zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, yahweh hides, or yahweh is my secret. Zephaniah and his contemporaries, jeremiah and habakkuk, were some of the prophets god used to pronounce this warning message. Theme the day of the lord is approaching types and shadows in zephaniah the day of jesus is coming. It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. The prophecy by zephaniah is a companion to that of habakkuk.
Haggai portrays christ as the desire of all nations. Zephaniah means yahweh hides or has hidden, hidden in yahweh, yahwehs watchman, or yahweh treasured. Like the writings of many of the prophets, the book of zephaniah follows a pattern of judgment on all people for their sin followed by the restoration of gods chosen people. Historical introduction zephaniah the prophet prophesied during the reign of king josiah who ascended his throne in 639 bc. When his people are gathered from the four corners of the world and god is sitting on the throne. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming brokenness and impending judgement.
Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. God, zephaniah, people of southern kingdom of judah, people and nations of the whole world. The book of the revelation confirms this and places the time as the great tribulation. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises. A remnant will be saved the humble and lowly through purification by judgment. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. If one of these two themes rises to the surface, however, it is the theme of global salvation.
The day of the lord is a major theme in zephaniah occurring 23 times in this. As i understand the book, there are two dominant themes in zephaniah. More consistently than any other prophetic book, zephaniah focuses on the day of the lord, developing this tradition from its first appearance in amos. The book of zephaniah gathering before his throne zephaniahs purpose and relevance to our lives we face a dilemma as we ponder upon gathering before the lords throne. The main message of the first chapter in the book of zephaniah is the day of the lord. God often convicts our hearts of the same sinful tendency to leave god. The book of zechariah, attributed to the hebrew prophet zechariah, is included in the twelve minor prophets in the hebrew bible. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. Then the prophet returned to the theme of the hope of salvation zeph. Some words have been emphasized by the author of this commentary using bold or italics. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. Zephaniah was a prophet at the same time when jeremiah was a prophet. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible.
The book of zechariah contains the clearest and the largest number of messianic about the messiah passages among the minor prophets. Transcribed and edited by david sielaff, november 20. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. Both prophets lived at the end of the assyrian period and the beginning of the. All that is known of zephaniah comes from the text. Against the dark backdrop describing the judgment of god upon. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. Zephaniahs primary target for gods message of judgment, the nation of judah, had fallen into grievous sin under the reign of their king, manasseh. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the. Composed by the prophet the dominant theme of the book is the day of the lord, which the prophet sees approaching as a consequence of the sins of judah. The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. Zechariah however shows jesus as the righteous branch. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah.
The superscription of the book is lengthier than most and contains two features. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah. As we prepare to study the literal and spiritual senses of the book of zephaniah, lets look at some historical facts that will help us enter into the eternal message of the lords word. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. The book of zephaniah was written before 629 bc when josiah found and eagerly read the holy scriptures discovered in the temple. Gods offer of grace and salvation extends to all nations, not just the jews. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning.
We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. Zephaniah warns israel and the surrounding nations that the day of the lord is near. The day of yahweh may be seen as that theme which unifies the entirety of the book of zephaniah. Although the prophets pronouncements focus on jerusalem, nations nearby assyria, ethiopia, moab and ammon and all other nations of the earth are included in the warnings zephaniah 1. What is the general theme of the book of zephaniah.
The words of zephaniah contain one of my favorite bible verses. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer. The love of god is difficult to grasp while reading the book of zephaniah, which begins with a horrifying message of gods judgment. The book of zechariah was likely written in two primary segments, between 520 and 470 b. What kings of judah preceded zephaniahs prophetical work, and what king. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of coming judgment and to encourage repentance. He joyfully announced that following judgment god would purify his people and restore the fortunes of jerusalem. Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations. Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. So if you turn in your bible to the book of zephaniah, lets start right there in chapter 1. Zephaniah addressing people french bible, 16th century.
That is a phrase we have seen before in books of prophets esp. The uncertainty arises over the etymology of the prophets name, which scholars dispute. Zechariah emphasized that god has used his prophets to teach, warn, and correct his people. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer future. The book of zephaniah contains no direct messianic prophecies, but the prophets focus on the day of the lord as the time of. Feb 22, 2017 and zephaniah speaks to that very point right at the very beginning of the book of zephaniah. It is also believed that it was written between 640 and 609 bc. Composed by the prophet composed by the prophet the dominant theme of the book is the day of the lord, which the prophet sees approaching as a consequence of the sins of judah. Zephaniah sets forth the dark side of the love of god. Apr 28, 2019 the day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. On that day, punishment will be executed on all gods enemies from many nations 2. He foretells the savior more than any other book outside isaiah. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah. Zechariah pictures christ in both his first coming zechariah 9.
It was zephaniahs lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. The day of the lord tradition also appears in isaiah, ezekiel, obadiah, joel, and malachi. Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom. The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah. Zephaniah challenges us to pursue a godly lifestyle, to acquire a greater willingness to do. Manassehs son amon is also dead after a reign of only 2 years he was assassinated by his own servants. Zephaniah concludes with the wonderful promise of israels future restoration. Who is zephaniah and why is he important in the bible. In a nutshell punishment for sin is the main theme. Not only judah, but pagan nations would suffer gods punishment.
Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Beyond the judgment, we come to gods ultimate goals. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. Zephaniah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zephaniah for bible study or sunday school lessons. Despite the fact that zephaniah warns judah of impending doom, the prophecy is dual, and the major fulfillment of his prophecy is yet future. Zephaniah contemporary of jeremiah preached around 625 bc king manasseh is dead after a reign of 55 years the most evil king in judah he was the exact opposite of his father king hezekiah. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Zephaniah does not make great use of historical events in the course of his prophecy. Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. In that respect, its possible to think of the book of zechariah as a kind of miniature book of isaiah. The book of zephaniah, the ninth book of the twelve minor prophets, is written in three chapters. The book declares judgment on many nations, all of which opposed god through opposition to. The superscription of the book of zephaniah attributes its authorship to zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah 1.
Zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel. His theme is the day of the lord, which destroys the false remnant of baal chapter 1, destroys the godrejecting nations chapter 2, and purifies the true remnant 3. In isaiah, christ is pictured as the healer of the nations. The book of zephaniah major eventsprophesy of the day of yahweh coming.
The book of zephaniah in the bible consists of three chapters. I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the lord. He shows christ as the branch, foretells his entry into jerusalem,shows him as the good shepherd, the stricken shepherd, foretells his. The harpercollins study bible supplies headings for the book. Gathering before his throne series which highlights gods purpose for the book of zephaniah which is to develop and maintain a relationship with the lord. The day of the lord is a very prominent theme in zephaniahs prophecy. The dominant theme of the book is the day of the lord, which the prophet sees approaching as a consequence of the sins of judah. What are the themes in the book face by benjamin zephaniah. The theme of zephaniah is the approaching day of the lord. Despite the fact that zephaniah warns judah of impending doom, the prophecy is dual, and the major fulfillment of. Zephaniahs main theme is the coming of the day of the lord see notes on isa 2. Zechariahs prophecies took place during the reign of darius the great, and were contemporary with haggai in a post exilic world after the fall of jerusalem in 5876 bc. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament.