Zephaniah 1

FBC Baxley

July 7, 2024

Pm svc

Zephaniah 1

1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

2 “I will utterly sweep away everything

from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.

3 “I will sweep away man and beast;

I will sweep away the birds of the heavens

and the fish of the sea,

and the rubble with the wicked.

I will cut off mankind

from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.

4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah

and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal

and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,

5 those who bow down on the roofs

to the host of the heavens,

those who bow down and swear to the Lord

and yet swear by Milcom,

6 those who have turned back from following the Lord,

who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.”

7 Be silent before the Lord God!

For the day of the Lord is near;

the Lord has prepared a sacrifice

and consecrated his guests.

8 And on the day of the Lord's sacrifice—

“I will punish the officials and the king's sons

and all who array themselves in foreign attire.

9 On that day I will punish

everyone who leaps over the threshold,

and those who fill their master's house

with violence and fraud.

10 “On that day,” declares the Lord,

“a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,

a wail from the Second Quarter,

a loud crash from the hills.

11 Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar!

For all the traders are no more;

all who weigh out silver are cut off.

12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,

and I will punish the men

who are complacent,

those who say in their hearts,

‘The Lord will not do good,

nor will he do ill.’

13 Their goods shall be plundered,

and their houses laid waste.

Though they build houses,

they shall not inhabit them;

though they plant vineyards,

they shall not drink wine from them.”

14 The great day of the Lord is near,

near and hastening fast;

the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;

the mighty man cries aloud there.

15 A day of wrath is that day,

a day of distress and anguish,

a day of ruin and devastation,

a day of darkness and gloom,

a day of clouds and thick darkness,

16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry

against the fortified cities

and against the lofty battlements.

17 I will bring distress on mankind,

so that they shall walk like the blind,

because they have sinned against the Lord;

their blood shall be poured out like dust,

and their flesh like dung.

18 Neither their silver nor their gold

shall be able to deliver them

on the day of the wrath of the Lord.

In the fire of his jealousy,

all the earth shall be consumed;

for a full and sudden end

he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.

-Pray

Title: The Day of the Lord: A Call to Repentance

Introduction:

Imagine you are in a city that has been warned for years about an impending natural disaster, but the warnings have fallen on deaf ears.

People continue their lives, indifferent to the dangers looming on the horizon. Then, one day, the skies darken, and the earth begins to tremble.

Panic ensues, but it is too late to escape. This scene captures the urgency and gravity of the message in Zephaniah 1, where the prophet warns of an imminent divine judgment that the people of Judah can no longer ignore.

1. The Certainty of God's Judgment (Zephaniah 1:2-6)

Zephaniah opens his prophecy with a stark declaration: “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord (Zephaniah 1:2).

The Hebrew word used here for “sweep away” is asaph, which conveys a total and thorough removal, akin to wiping a slate clean.

This judgment is all-encompassing, affecting man, beast, birds, and fish, illustrating the severity of God's response to sin.

Historical Context:

Zephaniah ministered during the reign of King Josiah (640-609 BC), a time of religious reform following the idolatrous practices of previous kings.

Despite Josiah’s efforts, the people of Judah were deeply entrenched in their idolatry and corruption.

Zephaniah’s message was a divine ultimatum to a nation that had repeatedly ignored God’s commands.

Illustration:

Think of a garden overrun with weeds, where the only solution is to uproot everything to restore it. Similarly, God's judgment was necessary to cleanse Judah of its pervasive sin.

2. The Reasons for God’s Judgment (Zephaniah 1:7-13)

God's judgment is not arbitrary but is a response to specific sins.

In Zephaniah 1:4-6, the prophet lists the reasons for this impending doom: idolatry, syncretism (mixing worship of the Lord with that of other gods), and a complete disregard for God.

The phrase "stand silent before the Sovereign Lord" in verse 7 uses the Hebrew word has, indicating a solemn and respectful silence in the face of God's presence.

The day of the Lord is near, and it will be a day of sacrifice, where the guests God has invited (likely a reference to the Babylonians) will carry out His judgment.

Historical Context:

This passage alludes to the Day of Atonement, a time when Israel was to humble themselves and repent. Instead of repentance, Judah continued in rebellion, necessitating a drastic intervention from God.

Illustration:

Consider a courtroom where the verdict is about to be read.

The gravity of the moment calls for silence and reverence, as everyone awaits the judge’s decision. Judah was in the divine courtroom, awaiting God's righteous judgment.

3. The Imminence of God’s Judgment (Zephaniah 1:14-18)

Zephaniah vividly describes the Day of the Lord as a day of wrath, distress, and anguish.

The Hebrew word for "wrath" (ebrah) suggests an overflowing fury, emphasizing the intensity of God's response to sin.

This judgment is imminent, and no amount of wealth or power can deliver the people from it.

Historical Context:

This prophecy was partially fulfilled with the Babylonian invasion, but it also points to a future, ultimate Day of the Lord, a theme echoed throughout the prophets.

Illustration:

Imagine standing on the beach, watching a massive tidal wave approach. There is no time to run or prepare; the wave will sweep away everything in its path. Zephaniah's prophecy served as a final warning to Judah about the unstoppable wave of God's judgment.

Conclusion:

Three Life Applications

Repentance is Urgent: Just as Zephaniah called Judah to repentance, we too must heed the warnings of Scripture. Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual turning away from sin and returning to God.

God's Judgment is Just: Understanding the reasons for God's judgment helps us recognize His justice. We must strive to live in obedience, acknowledging that our actions have consequences.

Prepare for the Day of the Lord: The Day of the Lord is not just a historical event but a future reality. We must live with an eternal perspective, preparing our hearts and lives for Christ's return.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the warning and hope found in Your Word. Help us to live in constant repentance, acknowledging Your justice and preparing for the day of Your return. May our lives reflect Your holiness and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.