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| WHO WAS ZEPHANIAH? He was a prophet whom some called the doomsayer: an unflattering word meant to poke fun to the bearers of bad news. But in Zephaniah's case he was the bearer of bad and good news. The bad news was that God's judgment was to come to the Israelites and then the good news was whosoever would listen and respond to God would be restored. The name Zephaniah means "hidden of Jehovah". he was the judgment prophet, the prophet of punishment and promise. He was also called the Prophet of "Gentile Conversion". He identified himself better than any of the rest of the minor prophets. Habakkuk concealed himself in silence, but Zephaniah went to the opposite extreme in telling the world who he was. Habakkuk stood high and looked far; Zephaniah stooped low and looked close. In other words Habakkuk looked at the broad view of things and Zephaniah got right down to the nitty gritty so to speak, he told it "like it was" and held nothing back. You might would call him the Hellfire and Brimstone prophet of the Old Testament. He was the great, great grandson of Hezekiah and was related to King Josiah, in whose reign he prophesied. Living in the time of Nahum and Jeremiah, he was the eighth prophet. He prophesied to the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. According to bible scholars, he prophesied during the year 627 B.C. Josiah reigned from 640-609 B. C. The book of Zephaniah reveals that the wrath and love of God are inseperable. You cannot have one without the other, any more than you can have a Heaven without a hell. Sin brings wrath and judgement. Sin cannot be overlooked, so God judges it. But, because He is a God of love as well as a God of wrath, He judged sin IN the sacrifice of His Son and extends His love to all who will believe in Him. Those who believe are passed from death unto life and there is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. To reject Christ means to die in sin, to die with the judgement and wrath of God abiding in the sinner. To escape God's wrath, we have to flee to Christ. Zephaniah warned the people of Judah that if they refused to repent the entire nation, including the beloved city of Jerusalem would be lost. The people knew that eventually God would bless them, but Zephaniah made it clear that judgement was to come first. This judgement would not merely be a punishment for sin, but would also be a means of purifying the people. Today, even though we live in a world surrounded by evil, we can have hope in the perfect Kingdom of God to come, where an existence free from sin will last forever and ever. ************************************ There are 3 themes in the book of Zephaniah: 1) Day of judgement 2) Indifference to God 3) Days of cheer Zephaniah has 3 chapters, in the first chapter, The Lord searches Jerusalem. looking for the faithful and looking for those that were evil. Chapter 1: 12 ~ And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees; that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil; ("settled on their lees" was a common term of the day for indifference and callousness.) derived from the Hebrew description of making wine from the dregs left at the bottom of the container. If the wine were left on the dregs (lees) to long it became bitter and harsh to the taste. In the second chapter, he gave them notice, that it was time for them to gather themselves together and turn to God or prepare themselves for the wrath to come. And finally, in the third chapter "The Lord Chastises Jerusalem". After predicting the destruction of the surrounding nations, Zephaniah returned to the problem at hand..............the sin in Jerusalem..... The city of God and God's people themselves had become polluted as sinful as their pagan neighbors. They pretended to worship God. They rejected God and continued to be complacent and no longer cared about the consequences. Despite the shameless deeds of God's people, He is still righteous, continually measuring out justice. Jerusalem's people, had no excuse for their sins. God restores a remnant, He removes the proud and leaves the humble, both the physically and spiritually equipped ones will be rewarded because they trusted in Him. Self-reliance or arrogance has no place among God's people in His kingdom. ******************************** ZEPHANIAH, FROM WRATH TO GRACE He was the prophet of doom back in his day; Because he spoke the truth, whether good or bad. God's judgement was to come the Israelites way, Zephaniah, God's spokesman said, "No need to be sad. For I bear good news too, if you will only heed, God is being merciful, just listen and respond. Let go your evil ways, turn into good seed, Restoration can be yours and go years beyond. Zephniah stooped low and gave a close look, He knew the Israelites had gone astray. He knew the love and wrath of God can't be mistook, Because one without the other, was not God's way. You cannot have Heaven without a hell, Sin brings wrath and judgement to those that decline. But if you believe and follow the rules he tells, Heaven will await you, if to Him you resign. He was God's prophet to warn all of Judah, Even beloved Jerusalem would not be spared. The prophecy of doom would soon be sent to her, Zephaniah came and warned them of despair. Many prophets of old were sent by God to tell, His goodness and mercy could be all theirs. Others like Zephaniah, their messages foretold, But only a few would listen to what came so bold. God in His wisdom had an alternative plan, He knew from the start, the carnality of man. That is why we have an advocate now who is there, To show us His love and goodness to share. The witnesses of old have all done their part, To turn around lives and soften hard hearts. But Jesus was sent by His willing Father, To give us Amazing Grace and a plan for pardon. Written by Shirley Barr March 31, 2004 Bible Study on Zephaniah September 15, 2002 |
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| SONG: "AMAZING GRACE" Arranged and performed by Bill Edwards ( Do not use without written permission) |
