Outline of the book of zephaniah woe to her that is rebellious and polluted. Zephaniah 3, new living translation nlt the bible app. Hence the book was probably written between 621 and 612 b. What kings of judah preceded zephaniahs prophetical work, and what king. His ancestry is traced back four generations to a person named hezekiah zeph.
A contrast between a wicked city and a righteous god. Zephaniah, of whom we know little, and whose words are mainly forecasts of judgments and woes pronounced against zion that was rebellious and polluted, ends. Introduction to the book of habakkuk why study this book. Now viewing scripture range from the book of zephaniah chapter 3. The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. However, these facts can be explained in other ways and it seems best not to draw a firm conclusion either way on this point. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. Josiah had begun to reign in judah about 80 years after the northern kingdom of israel had been swept away by the assyrian invaders. The little book of zephaniah will never take the place of john 3. The book of zephaniah is a short announcement of gods impending judgment on judah 1. The pleasure of god in the good of his people desiring god.
Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom. Many would date the book prior to josiahs reforms 622621 b. He identified himself much better than any other of the minor prophets, mentioning four generations of ancestors, back to hezekiah, a good. Zephaniah zephaniah is the only prophet introduced with a lineal genealogy of such depth. Zephaniah explained that on this day god would punish the proud and mighty and reward the righteous. Introduction to the book of zephaniah why study this book. Zephaniah 3 is the third and last chapter of the book of zephaniah in the hebrew bible or the. God celebrates in unison with his people, with songs and demonstrations of his joy, while he speaks of his love 3. He identified himself much better than any other of the minor prophets, mentioning four generations of ancestors. Arcana coelestia ac 16611664 kings signify divine truth and divine good in and from the lord, as noted in apocalypse explained ae 446 10. The coming invasion of nebuchadnezzar a figure of the day of the lord, 1.
The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. Zephaniah prophesied of the day of the lord zephaniah 1. In the book of zephaniah, the third and final chapter is about the the ageold cycle of the human condition. Niv, starting place study bible, hardcover, comfort print. I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you. The judgment of the nations followed by kingdom blessing under messiah, 3. Both speak of gods cutting off humankind from the face of the earth 1. Kings also represent the dominant evils and falsities against which the lord fought. Zephaniah portrays the stark horror of that ordeal with the same graphic imagery found elsewhere in the prophets. Introduction to zephaniah historical context setting though an occasional voice of protest has been heard,648 few scholars have failed to accept the information in the superscription that the books author prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. There will be no more haughtiness on my holy mountain. Let me now tell you a true story to illustrate the dark side of love. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. Zephaniah s primary target for gods message of judgment, the nation of judah, had fallen into grievous sin under the reign of their king, manasseh.
The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king. Zephaniah introduction scofield reference bible commentary. The prophet portrays a grand sweep of history that begins with judgment on judah 1. As we prepare to study the literal and spiritual senses of the book of zephaniah, lets look at some historical facts that will help us enter into the eternal message of the lords word. May 12, 2020 the setting for the book of zephaniah according to zephaniah 1. This chapter contains the glorious climax of zephaniahs great prophecy in the last paragraph zephaniah 3.
This short book has been called the compendium of all prophecy. The first paragraph details the reason for the judgment of jerusalem zephaniah 3. God will bless his people when they return to their covenant relationship with him. He will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing zeph 3. Zephaniah concludes with the tender promise of g od that he will gather all the people who have been expelled from their land and will give them fame and renown among all peoples 3. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah. The book of zephaniah is filled with the wrath and judgment of god see zeph. The book of zephaniah is quite shortonly three chapters in length. Just as a loving parent cradles a child and sings out of love, so gods song over his people is born of his great love. The date of zephaniahs prophecy is given as in the days of josiah the son of amon, king of judah.
The lord rejoices over the restoration of his people a. What does it mean that god will rejoice over us with singing. Zephaniah the one whom jehovah has chosen was a prophet of judah. The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah. God the father is the one who holds his daughter jerusalem and sings joyfully in her presence. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy. The moral state of israel for which the captivity was to come, 3. The day of the lord, the lord is in the midst of you author. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great.
The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. The book was written some time between 641 and 612 b. Zephaniah 3 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. The cycle operates at a personal level, for each of us, and at a church level, where a set of people with a set of beliefs and habits needs to improve. He begins his prophecy by tracing his heritage back to hezekiah king of judah. Zephaniahs main theme is the coming of the day of the lord see notes on isa 2. The l ord your god in your midst, the mighty one, will save.
He did this, both in the section of the book dealing with coming judgment, and in the section about blessing. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. God extends blessing and grace to all peoples and nations. Zephaniah gave more particulars concerning the fate of judah 1. Zephaniah is the only old testament biblical book that records god singing 3.
Although this hezekiah is not specifically designated as the famous king by that name, there can be little question that this is the reason for the length of the genealogy. Introduction to zephaniah author because the prophet zephaniah was the son of cushi 1. Like jeremiah and joseph smith, habakkuk asked god sincere and bold questions that reflected concern for his people and for the lords plans for them. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to. The lord, your god, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of coming judgment and to encourage repentance. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text.