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Zephaniah: Jehovah Hides Introduction: Key phrase in this book is "The Day of the Lord." It refers to the day when God punishes or rewards His people. Zephaniah tells us a lot about what it was going to be like for the nations and in particular Judah. We can also relate this to what it will be like when we stand before God in judgment. I) The Context A) Date around 626 BC; contemporary of Jeremiah; "in the days of Josiah" used in Jeremiah 1.2 B) 1.1 the prophet was four generations removed from Hezekiah. 1. Hezekiah was a good king, Manasseh (2 Kings 21.6; 2 Chron. 33) was evil, Amon was like this father (2 Chronicles 33.21-25); Josiah was good (2 Kings 23.24-25) 2. The reforms instituted by Josiah showed an outward but not inward change in the people. a. God is not pleased with outward service if there is nothing inside, 1 Samuel 16.7. b. Josiah could not make the people serve God. c. This was like painting a rotten house. Jeremiah 3.6, 10-11 C) Zephaniah does not speak of the reforms but of the judgment 1. Josiah would die shortly, 2 Kings 22.18-20 2. Assyria would be defeated by Babylon and Babylon would destroy Jerusalem. II) Messages of Chapter 1 A) They were going to experience the full wrath of God, vv. 2-3 1. God is a consuming fire, Deut. 4.24 2. God was going to cut them off, Isaiah 59.1 B) God list those who would suffer 1. Verse 7: be silent (listen); Day of the Lord (time of judgment); is at hand (close by) used in Matthew 3.1-2; 4.17. a. Compared to a dinner where the guest are at hand. 2. Who will be punished? Judah and Jerusalem the Baal worshippers a. False worshippers of God, v, 5-6 b. The princes and kings children, v. 8 c. Those who fill their master’s house with violence and deceit, v. 9 d. Merchants, v. 11 e. Those who were complacent, v. 12 C) "The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil" v. 12 1. People tend to think God will not punish them, 2 Corinthians 5.10; Hebrews 10.31 a. Most do not believe in hell or eternal punishment b. They can not reconcile a loving God and one that punishes evil. 2. Facts: a. God hates all unrighteousness b. God will punish the one in sin c. God rewards only the faithful D) The severity of the judgment 1. Sound of a mournful cry; wailing, and a loud crash, v. 10 2. A day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation, a day of darkness and glomminess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm, v. 16 II) Messages of Chapter 2 A) Before that day seek the Lord, vv. 1-3 1. What were they to do? Seek the Lord, seek righteousness, and seek humility. 2. Even then the promise was not that they would be spared but "it may be that you will be hidden. 3. Would be consistent with the message of Jeremiah since they were contemporaries. B) God’s punishment of the surrounding nations 1. Philistia was to the West, Moab and Ammon to the East, Ethiopia to the South, and Assyria was to the North. a. Philistines no longer exist, their land would be pasture for Judah. b. Moab compared to Sodom and Gomorrah c Ethiopia would be slain by the sword d. Assyria would be destroyed. 2. Why? Because they had sinned against God and each other. III) Messages of Chapter 3 A) Woe to Jerusalem, vv. 1-7 1. She obeyed not the voice of God, She had not received correction, She had not trusted in the Lord, She had not drawn near to God. 2. Despite all of God’s blessings they had turned from Him. B) The universal judgment of God, v. 8 1. Hence the warning and admonition of 1 Peter 4.17-19. IV) Christ In Zephaniah A) The Remnant is God’s Holy People, vv. 9-13 1. They will speak a pure language and shall do no unrighteousness 2. They will call on the name of the Lord (Acts 2.21). 3. To serve Him with one accord B) The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, v. 15 1. Matthew 1.23 which is a quote of Isaiah 1.14 2. The mighty one will save, Matthew 1.21 C) The Christian is to be Holy 1. To call on the name of the Lord as they did on the Day of Pentecost a. To be baptized for the remission of their sins, Acts 2.38 b. To live faithfully for their Lord and Master 2. Walk in purity and do no unrighteousness 3. Serve God in unity and peace. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 12.23.07 |