ZEPHANIAHZEPHANIAH

Judgment against JudahJudgment against Judah

Similar NamesSimilar Names

Zedekiah: Last king of JudahZedekiah: Last king of JudahZechariah: Later prophet after the Zechariah: Later prophet after the

ExileExileZephaniah: Prophet and writer of this Zephaniah: Prophet and writer of this

bookbook

Zephaniah 1:1Zephaniah 1:1

The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah

Date of WritingDate of Writing

In the days of Josiah son of Amon, In the days of Josiah son of Amon,

king of Judah (Zephaniah 1:1)king of Judah (Zephaniah 1:1)..A Call for National Repentance.A Call for National Repentance.Slightly prior to Jeremiah.Slightly prior to Jeremiah.Foretells the Destruction of Nineveh Foretells the Destruction of Nineveh

(2:13).(2:13).

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Kings of Judah

Josiah

Jehoahaz

Jehoiakim

Jehoiachin

Zedekiah

Jerusalem & Temple Destroyed

Fall ofNineveh

Zephaniah

Jeremiah

Daniel

Ezekiel

Nahum

Zephaniah 1:2-3Zephaniah 1:2-3

“I will completely remove all things From the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

3 “I will remove man and beast; I will remove the birds of the sky And the fish of the sea, And the ruins along with the wicked; And I will cut off man from the face of the earth," declares the LORD.

Coming judgment on Jerusalem (1:1-6)

Coming judgment of leaders and wealthy (1:7-13)

God’s judgment against the nation (1:14-18).

Call to repentance (2:1-3).

God’s judgment against the nations (2:4-15).

Coming judgment of leaders (3:1-7)

Coming restoration of Jerusalem (3:8-20)

Zephaniah

Reasons for Divine JudgmentReasons for Divine Judgment

Religious Pluralism (1:4-5).Religious Pluralism (1:4-5).Prayerful Neglect (1:6).Prayerful Neglect (1:6).Spiritual Stagnation (1:12).Spiritual Stagnation (1:12).

Zephaniah 2:1-3Zephaniah 2:1-31 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame, 2 Before the decree takes effect-- The day passes like the chaff--

Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD's anger comes upon you.

3 Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden

In the day of the LORD's anger.

Zephaniah 3:8-10Zephaniah 3:8-10 8 "Therefore, wait for Me," declares the LORD,

"For the day when I rise up to the prey. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.

9 "For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, That all of them may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder.

10 "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My dispersed ones, Will bring My offerings.

Zephaniah 3:11-12Zephaniah 3:11-121111 In that day you will feel no shame In that day you will feel no shameBecause of all your deedsBecause of all your deedsBy which you have rebelled against Me;By which you have rebelled against Me;For then I will remove from your midstFor then I will remove from your midstYour proud, exulting ones,Your proud, exulting ones,And you will never again be haughtyAnd you will never again be haughtyOn My holy mountain.On My holy mountain.1212 But I will leave among you But I will leave among youA humble and lowly people,A humble and lowly people,And they will take refuge in the name of the And they will take refuge in the name of the

LORD.LORD.

Zephaniah 3:14-15Zephaniah 3:14-1514 Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in

triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

15 The LORD has taken away His judgments against you, He has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You will fear disaster no more.

Zephaniah 3:19-20Zephaniah 3:19-20 19 "Behold, I am going to deal at that time With

all your oppressors, I will save the lame And gather the outcast, And I will turn their shame into praise and renown In all the earth.

20 "At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before your eyes," Says the LORD.