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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

INTRODUCTION

In our look at the Old Testament Prophets of God, we now come to Zephaniah, one of the prophets who preached to Judah alone. His ministry followed the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel and was prior to the attack of Judah from Babylon.

I.         THE BACKGROUND OF THE ZEPHANIAH.

            A.        The Name Zephaniah Means "Jehovah Hides" or “Jehovah Has Hidden.”

His name indicates a confidence in the power of God to hide or protect him in time of danger.

                        There are four Zephaniahs mentioned in Scripture.

1 was a Levite. 1 was a priest. 1 was mentioned by Zechariah as being the father of one called Josiah. And 1 is this prophet that we will look at.

            B.        His Family.

Zephaniah was born during the ruthless reign of King Manasseh, who the Bible says “shed innocent blood very much, til he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.”

Very little is known about Zephaniah. Though he was believed to be of royal descent.

                        1)        Many scholars believe that King Hezekiah was his great-great-grandfather. (1:1) (Hizkiah = Hezekiah)

                         2)        This has prompted some to call him "the royal prophet"

                         3)        He was contemporary of Jeremiah, as were Nahum and Habakkuk

II.       THE CLIMATE OF ZEPHANIAH’S DAY.

The wicked reigns of Manasseh and Amon were over. King Josiah had come to the throne in Judah. Zephaniah prophesied in the early days of Josiah who ruled from 637-607 B.C., which was between the time of the fall of Nineveh and the Babylonian attack upon Judea.

            Josiah was a good king and a great reformer. (2 Chronicles 34:1-3,29-34; 35:1-19)

However, at the time of this prophecy Josiah’s reforms were still several years away, and the apostate conditions which had prevailed for more than a half century during the reigns of Manasseh and Amon had not yet been challenged.

In the early part of Josiah’s reign, Zephaniah began to warn his people of the impending judgment of God, whose anger they had provoked by their wicked behavior.

            He laid the groundwork for the reforms that took place later in Josiah’s reign when

the administration of the Law and the worship of the Lord revived briefly. Nevertheless, the people still practiced their idolatry in secret.

Even though the king had joined the prophet in establishing reforms, the evil continued as the reforms were short-lived, and the nation soon apostatized after Josiah’s death.

The increase of wickedness inevitably led to the moment when God would use King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as His chastening rod for His people.

So, Zephaniah pinpoints the cause of God’s judgment by proclaiming the moral degeneration of the people. Nevertheless, He makes it clear that the door of mercy is open for those who sincerely repent.

In his prophecy, Zephaniah proclaimed the coming "day of the Lord." (cf. 1:7,14-16)

So vivid are his descriptions that Scottish scholar Sir George Adam Smith wrote:

            "No hotter book lies in all the Old Testament."

And yet it ends on an encouraging note concerning the future

         -- Therefore its overall message is: "Through Judgment To Blessing."

I.         A WARNING OF IMPENDING JUDGMENT. (1:1-18)

             A.        The Judgment Is Announced. (1:1-6)

The destruction was to be certain and complete. This shows the horrible consequences of idolatry or spiritual adultery.

             B.        The Judgment Is Defined. (1:7-13)

Vs. 7–The people had apostatized to the point of no return. Punishment was now inevitable.

                        Here, the “guests” are the enemies of Judah, and the “sacrifice” is Judah.

                        Vs 8–After the death of Josiah, Judah hastened toward her doom.

Vs 9–This is believed to be a reference to the king’s attendants who were the corrupt politicians of the day who sold their influence.

Vs 10–This gate was located on the north side of Jerusalem and would be the direction from which the news of the approaching Chaldean army would come.

Vs 12–A thorough search both by day and by night would be made. None would escape. There would be no corner left unsearched in which sin could escape punishment. To settle on one’s lees meant to become complacent and self-satisfied with one’s character and circumstances.

Vs 13–The things in which they trusted would become a snare to them. Their efforts for material gain would come to nothing. They would not enjoy the fruits of their labor.

            C.         This Judgment Is Described. (1:14-18)

Vs 14–After the death of Josiah, judgment approached rapidly. And while this pointed to judgment that was soon to come, it also pointed to the future coming “day of the Lord” in the last days.

Vs 15-18–When the mercies of the Lord are spurned, wrath is the sure result to come.

II.       AN EXHORTATION TO IMMEDIATE REPENTANCE. (2:1– 3:8)

            A.        An Invitation To Repentance. (2:1-3)

It was still possible for the repentant to escape judgment if they would only turn to the Lord.

            B.        A Detailed Warning Of Judgment. (2:4–3:8)

                        1.         The Land Of The Philistines. (2:4-7)

A small remnant would be left behind after the Babylonian attack and a remnant who were kept by God’s power in Babylon, returned at the close of the Exile.

                        2.         The Land Of Moab And Ammon. (2:8-11)

Because these enemies had abused the people of Judah, punishment was to be levied against them.

                        3.         The Land Of The Ethiopians. (2:12)

                        4.         The Land Of The Assyrians. (2:13-15)

As we said last week, Nineveh was so completely destroyed that its location was lost until it was rediscovered by archaeologists during the 19^th century.

                        5.         The Land Of Judah And The City Of Jerusalem. (3:1-8)

Vs 1-2–Jerusalem had been warned. The prophets had pleaded with the people, but all urging toward repentance had been ignored. The rupture between the people and the Lord widened with each passing day.

Vs 3–The people in authority and power had no regard for truth and righteousness. There was no justice from her judges.

Vs 4–Many of the prophets no longer possessed the serious conviction and integrity of holy men. The priests had violated the law by offering animals with spots and blemishes. The sacrifices were devoid of any true spiritual content.

Vs 5–The Lord was still present, and he was keeping a record of their wickedness.

Vs 6-7–Judah had ignored God's judgment upon other nations such as Syria and Israel and Judah had ignored the intermittent punishment inflicted upon it.

Vs. 8–The mercy of the Lord is directed to all who repent.

Remember how that the Lord’s fierce anger turned at Ninevah’s repentance?

                                    However, judgment will also come upon all who turn from the Lord.

III.      A PROMISE OF FUTURE BLESSING. (3:9-20)

            A.        The Promise Of Restoration.

Vs 9–The Jews would turn from the blasphemy of idolatry and utter the praises of the Lord.

Vs 10–After the judgment the Lord would bring his people back from all areas of the captivity.

Vs 11–Punishment would end, finally, for those who repented. A remnant would be purged of idolatry and would return. The wicked would meet their fate. False pride would be turned into humility.

Vs 12–The captivity would reduce many of the people to poverty. These folks would have no where else to look but to the Lord.

                        Vs 13–This describes the cleansed and purified remnant that would return.

            B.        The Promise Of Rejoicing.

Vs 14–A time of rejoicing would come when the remnant would once again worship in the rebuilt Temple. There will also be a time of rejoicing in the more distant future when Israel will accept her Messiah.

Vs 15–This is a prophetic anticipation of the day when the King Messiah (Jesus) will rule. Israel has had no Davidic king actually holding the reins of government since the death of Zedekiah.

Vs 16–In the glorious day of the Messiah, all captivities and national afflictions will be removed.

                        Vs 17–The Lord God is His people’s conquering hero. 

Vs 18–A remnant will repent of their sins, and they will again gather in Jerusalem to see its great splendor restored.

The Jewish people have not been able to enjoy their religion in the countries of their dispersion because of the reproach heaped upon them by their heathen neighbors.

                        Vs 19–Those who have punished Judah will be punished.

Vs 20–They will once again possess their own land and be restored to favor with the Lord. Finally, all nations of the earth will be blessed by the Jews through their Messianic King, the Lord Jesus.

CONCLUSION

The message of Zephaniah is a simple one:

Judgment is coming–i.e. “The day of the Lord” which was a type of the future “Day of the Lord” yet to come. (2 Peter 3:7-10)

The “Day of the Lord” may come, but blessings will follow for those who heed the warning to repent

It was a message that would later comfort the remnant taken away into Babylonian captivity.

It was a message that had an initial fulfillment following their restoration under Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah.

But I believe the ultimate fulfillment pertains to the last days or the end times when King Jesus arrives on the scene to save his people and rule and reign in the Millennial Kingdom.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!