Minor Prophets - Zephaniah

An Overview of Zephaniah

Introduction:

(1)    His name means “he whom the Lord hides.”

(a)    He is sometimes known as the “prophet of the Day of the Lord.”

(b)    He is believed to be the great-great-grandson of Hezekiah, the king of Judah (2 Kings 16.20).

(2)    He prophesied during the days of Josiah, King of Judah from 640 to 609 B.C.

(a)    Some date this book after the book of the Law (apparently Deuteronomy; cf. 2 Chron. 34.14; 35.6, 12) was discovered in approximately 622 B.C. (2 Kings 22.8).

(b)    Others date the book before this discovery.

(c)    Nevertheless, it seems the book was written around this time.

Discussion:

I.                   Judgment is Coming (Zeph. 1)

A.    Judgment comes upon all who sin and the sins of Judah and Jerusalem included idolatry (vv. 1-6).

B.     No one can escape judgment (vv. 7-13).

C.     The judgment will be complete and no one will be able to withstand it (vv. 14-18).

D.    Lesson for us:

1.      Judgment is coming (Heb. 9.27).

2.      Everyone will be judged (2 Cor. 5.10).

II.                Repentance is Needed (Zeph. 2)

A.    The only way of escape is repentance (vv. 1-3).

B.     All people who are unwilling to repent will be judged (vv. 4-15).

C.     Lesson for us:

1.      We must repent or face judgment (Luke 13.3).

2.      If we do not repent, then we will face God’s wrath (cf. Rom. 5.9).

III.             Salvation is Possible (Zeph. 3)

A.    Without God, the future is gloom (vv. 1-8).

B.     With God, the future is bright (vv. 9-20).

C.     Lesson for us:

1.      We only have hope with God on our side (cf. Rom. 8.31).

2.      The only way to God is through Jesus (cf. John 14.6).

Conclusion:

(1)    Many people are “unprepared to meet their God.”

(2)    Are you prepared?  If not, why not?