Zephaniah

Introduction
Zephaniah was a descendant of King Hezekiah. He prophesied to the people of Judah about 24 years prior to the first siege and deportation to Babylon and about 44 years before the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. He announces the impeding judgment of God and the day of the Lord. In the midst of these ominous words there are also words of hope given concerning God's saving work towards His people. He is the last prophet before the exile and shows the depth of corruption among the people who turn a deaf ear to this final warning.

Key Verses: 1:14, 2:3

Theme: God the Shelter (D. Jeremiah)
    Bright Light in a Dark Day (Swindoll)

Suggested Outline:
I.  The Coming Day of the Lord for Judah - 1
II. The Coming Day of the Lord for the Nations - 2:1-3:8
III. Restoration of the Remnant 3:9-20
(or)
I.  Judgment and Doom 1:1-3:8
II. Joy and Deliverance 3:9-20
   (Swindoll)

Zephaniah 1
Zephaniah is a descendant of Hezekiah and is part of the royal family 1. Note: The Lord has those who know and love Him in the highest 'levels of government' to bear witness to Him. The Lord begins with the far reaching, total destruction that is about to come from Him 2-3. The wicked will have nothing left but heaps of rubble 3b. The wicked inhabit Judah and Jerusalem and are identified as those who worship Baal, Molech, and all the starry hosts 4-5. The wicked turn from the Lord and do not seek Him 6. One is to be silent before the Lord who brings this judgment about 7. The judgment about to fall is called 'the Lord's sacrifice' 8 ? There will be wailing at that time as the markets are wiped out  and wealth will be consumed 10-11,13. Their sins include pagan rituals 9, complacency and a faulty view of the Lord 12b. The great day of the Lord is near and coming 14. This refers to the impending judgment of God upon Judah and has a future look to the day of the Lord in which all the nations will be judged by the Lord. In 15-18 we are given a vivid description of the day of the Lord. It truly is a day of doom and gloom ! Distress will grip the people and blood will be shed 17. Gold and silver will not be able to deliver anyone 18. It is a day of the Lord's wrath 18 that burns with fire and it comes upon 'all who live in the earth' 18b. The reason for this is the sins which have been committed against the Lord 17. Note: The Day of the Lord came upon Judah (in the past) and will come upon this whole world (in the future - see: Revelation 3:10).

Zephaniah 2
The Lord calls His people to gather and to seek Him 1-3. This is a call to repentance before the judgment of God falls. Repentance includes seeking the Lord with humility and doing what is right (righteousness) 3a. This may avert His judgment 3b. The Lord then turns to the nations around Judah and calls each of them to account. They too will face the Lord's judgment. The Lord speaks against Philistia in 4-7. A remnant of Judah will be present that the Lord Himself will care for 6-7. Moab insulted the people of the Lord 8 and HE will judge them as He did Sodom 9a. They will get this 'in return for their actions 10. A remnant of God's people will inherit their land 9b. Note: The Lord will one day 'balance the books' and will affirm before all to see, those who are His own ! All false gods will be destroyed and the Lord will be worshiped 11. Note: This has not yet been fulfilled to date. Cush will be destroyed 11, so will Assyria 12-15. They which boasted in being a safe city will be brought to ruin. Note: This must have been amazing for the people to hear such words. It would be like saying the USA will be no longer exist. The Lord gives this word to His people to warn them Those who observe it will scoff and shake their fists 15c. Note: God will call all into account, both those who are His people and those who do not even acknowledge Him. All of us should prayerfully read these words and take heed !

Zephaniah 3
The city of Jerusalem is in rebellion and defiled, being full of oppressors 1. She does as she pleases and does not trust in the Lord 2. The officials, prophets, and priests will all come under God's judgment 3-4. Though the city was full of corruption, yet the Lord was still present and He is righteous, doing justice 5. The unrighteous have no shame ! Though God acted to deliver, they still acted  corruptly 6-7. The Lord would bring all the nations into judgment and would purify people who call upon Him 8-9. The Lord would have worshipers among the nations 10. God always has a remnant of His people in every land 11-13. The Lord promises restoration to His people 14-15. Fear is to be dispelled since the Lord will be present to save. He is able to do so because He is mighty 16-17. Verse 17 is an amazing declaration of the grace and love of God towards His people considering the context of this prophecy is one of His judgment ! The Lord also promises restoration and He even says HE will give them honor 19-20 ! Wow. This will literally come to pass for the Lord says He will 'restore your fortunes before your very eyes'. Note: Do you see evidence of the Lord's restoration in your life through salvation in Jesus Christ ? - Pray: 'Lord save me' !