Ralph Porter

© 2002

AUTHOR

    Zephaniah served as a prophet during the reign of Josiah.

    His lineage is traced back to Hezekiah.

        Although Zephaniah's royal descendency is debated, the evidence seems to support

        this view.

        It is opposed because of the failure to add "the king" to Hezekiah's name and because

        he would be the only prophet of royal lineage.

        Those who favor this view argue that it is even more unusual for a prophet to include

        his ancestry in such detail.

        The only satisfactory explanation is to show his relationship to the royal line.

DATE

    The book was written during the early part of Josiah's reign (640-609 B.C.), probably

    before the great reforms.

BACKGROUND

    It appears that Zephaniah may have been instrumental in causing Josiah's reforms.

    The conditions at the time the book was written show low morals and religious

    apostasy.

PURPOSE AND THEME

    The author's purpose was to call the people to repentance.

    The message of the book is that in spite of appearances to the contrary, God is in control

    of the world.

    He will demonstrate His control by bringing immediate judgment on the wicked and

    eventual restoration of His people.

    The announcement of judgment is presented through references to the day of the Lord.

    There is a dramatic contrast between the immediate judgment and the eventual

    restoration.

    As in all the warnings of judgment previous to the captivity, the purpose is to call God's

    people to return to Him and thus avoid judgment.

ZEPHANIAH

GOD CONTROLS THE WORLD

Ralph Porter

Ralph Porter

AUTHOR

    Zephaniah served as a prophet during the reign of Josiah.

    His lineage is traced back to Hezekiah.

         Although Zephaniah's royal descendency is debated, the evidence seems to support

        this view.

            It is opposed because of the failure to add "the king" to Hezekiah's name and

            because he would be the only prophet of royal lineage.

            Those who favor this view argue that it is even more unusual for a prophet to

            include his ancestry in such detail.

                 The only satisfactory explanation for doing so is to show his relationship to the

                royal line.

DATE

    It was written during the early part of Josiah's reign (640-609 B.C.), probably before the

    great reforms.

BACKGROUND

    It appears that Zephaniah may have been instrumental in causing Josiah's reforms.

    The conditions at the time the book was written show low morals and religious

    apostasy.

PURPOSE AND THEME

    Purpose: To call God's people to repentance.

    The message of the book: In spite of appearances to the contrary, God is in control of the

    world.

    He will demonstrate His control by bringing immediate judgment on the wicked and

    eventual restoration of His people.

    Similar to Joel, the announcement of judgment is presented through references to the

    day of the Lord.

    There is a dramatic contrast between the immediate judgment and the eventual

    restoration.

    As in all the warnings of judgment previous to the captivity, the purpose is to call God's

    people to return to Him and thus avoid judgment.

ORGANIZATION

    The book is divided into four main sections:

        Announcement of judgment   1:1-18

        Exhortation to repent   2:1-3

        Description of the judgment of the nations   2:4-15

        Overview of the entire plan of God for Israel in the day of the Lord   3:1-20

ARGUMENT

    The declaration of judgment extends through most of Zephaniah's message (1-3:8)

ANNOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT IN THE DAY OF YAHWEH   1

        He begins with the announcement of judgment demonstrating that the day of the

        Lord is near.

    Historical introduction   1:1

    Summary of judgment   1:2-3

        God makes a sweeping statement of judgment

            Ultimate judgment--describes God's final judgment on the world.

            Immediate judgment-describes His judgment of the land (Judah).

    Causes of judgment   1:4-13

        The cause for the judgment is presented through the individuals described as

        recipients.

            Idolatry and apostasy

            Theft, fraud and deceit

                They are thinking "God will never intervene!"   (12)

    Description of judgment   1:14-18

        Allows for both a near and far fulfillments.

INVITATION TO REPENTANCE BEFORE THE DAY OF YAHWEH   2:1-3

    An exhortation is given for individuals to repent before the day of the Lord comes.

JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS IN THE DAY OF YAHWEH   2:4-15

        Judgments are pronounced against the other nations around them who will be

        affected by the day of the Lord.

    Coastal regions   2:4-7

    Moab and Ammon   2:8-11

    Ethiopia   2:12

    Assyria   2:13-15

DIVINE PROGRAM FOR ISRAEL IN THE DAY OF YAHWEH   3

        The concluding summary presents the program of God for Israel in the day of the

        Lord.

    Judgment on Israel   3:1-7

            The judgment of Judah is once again announced.

        Cause of judgment   3:1-4

            He summarizes the cause and contrasts God's character with the evil of the people

        Response of Judge   3:5-7

    Judgment on nations   3:8

        The prophet announces the tribulation and God's final judgment of the nations in

        preparation for the restoration of Israel.

    Restoration of Israel   3:9-20

            The remainder of the book foretells God's future dealing with Israel.

        Israel's repentance   3:9

            He will cause them, and others with them, to repent, so that He may restore them.

        Israel's regathering   3:10

            He will then regather them from all the nations and remove their evil ones.

        Israel's conversion   3:11-12

            Those who remain will be converted and receive peace and prosperity

            They will place their trust in Yahweh

        Israel's just conduct   3:13a

        Israel's prosperity   3:13b   God's provision

        Israel's millennial celebration   3:14-19

            They will rejoice in Yahweh and He will be in their midst as their king   3:14-17

                He has taken away their judgment

                He has driven out their enemies

                He is present in their midst as King over His people

                    => They will no longer see evil among them

                He will save them

                He will rejoice over them

            They will be reunited with and have fellowship with Him who has been seeking

            them throughout these many generations.   3:18-20

                Regathering of the people

                Recompense for the oppressing nations

                Healing of the weak

                He will convert their shame into praise and renown throughout the whole earth

        Israel's restoration summarized   3:20

WHAT LESSONS DO WE LEARN FOR OUR LIVES TODAY FROM THIS MESSAGE?