Zephaniah's major theme is the day of the Lord,
G e n e s i s E x o d u s L e v i t i c u s N u m b e r s D e u t e r o n o m y J o s h u a J u d g e s R u t h
1 S a m u e l 2 S a m u e l 1 K i n g s 2 K i n g s 1 C h r o n i c l e s 2 C h r o n i c l e s E z r a N e h e m i a h
E s t h e r J o b P s a l m s P r o v e r b s E c c l e s i a s t e s S o n g o f
J e r e m i a h L a m e n t a t i o n s E z e k i e l D a n i e l H o s e a J o e l A m o s O b a d i a h
J o n a h M i c a h N a h u m H a b a k k u k Zephaniah H a g g a i Z e c h a r i a h M a l a c h i
Zephaniah in His Time If the Hezekiah named in Zephaniah 1:1 is King Hezekiah (715–686), then the prophet Zephaniah was his great-great-grandson. His name means "Jehovah hides" (i.e., "Jehovah protects") and describes God's ministry of protection for His faithful people when the day of His anger arrives (2:3).
OUTLINE Key theme: The coming day of the Lord Key verses: Zephaniah 1:14; 2:3
I. THE DAY OF THE LORD AND THE JEWS
(1:1—2:3)
A. Pictures of that great day.
1. Like a flood—1:2–6 2. Like a great sacrifice—1:7–13 3. Like a battle—1:15–18 B. Plea to seek the Lord—2:1–3
Zephaniah's major theme is the day of the Lord, that period of time when God will judge the nations and usher in His righteous kingdom.1 This theme is found in almost all the prophets, but it is particularly evident in Joel and Zephaniah. "The great day of the Lord is near" (Zeph. 1:14 niv).
II. THE DAY OF THE LORD AND THE GENTILES
(2:4–15)
The Scriptures reveal very little about Zephaniah's personal life. He ministered in Judah during the time of King Josiah (640–609), who led the nation in a religious reformation triggered by the finding of the book of the law in the temple in the year 622 (2 Chron. 34:14ff.).2 It's likely that Zephaniah preached prior to this reformation, or he would have said something about it in his book. Jeremiah and Zephaniah were contemporaries.
A. Philistia—2:4–7 B. Moab and Ammon—2:8–11 C. Cush—2:12 D. Assyria—2:13–15
III. THE DAY OF THE LORD AND THE KINGDOM
(3:1–20) A. Jerusalem: God's jealous anger—3:1–8 B. The Gentiles: graciousness and forgiveness—
Politically, the times were in ferment. Assyria was losing its power, the Scythians were invading from the north, and Babylon had become the leading empire. King Manasseh (697–642) had led the people of Judah deeper and deeper into idolatry and the adoption of foreign ideas and customs, and Josiah had sought to reverse this trend. Alas, King Josiah died on the battlefield before his work was finished, and his successors on the throne allowed the people to return to their sinful ways.
3:11–20 C. The remnant: bounteous blessing—3:11–20
1. The sinners removed—3:11–13 2. The believers rejoicing—3:14–17 3. The land restored—3:18–20
CONTENTS
Zephaniah 1—2 1482 There's a Great Day Coming!
Zephaniah 3 1485 The Glory of the Kingdom
Notes
1 Strictly speaking, any time of divine judgment could be