Zephaniah
Zephaniah was an unusual prophet. He was of royal blood, the great-grandson of Hezekiah, and prophesied during the reign of Josiah, who was, perhaps, his second cousin. Zephaniah’s words probably came early in Josiah’s reign—while he was still a boy-king, and may have helped encourage Josiah to make the sweeping reforms that so wonderfully marked his reign and postponed the judgments of Zephaniah’s prophecy.
Zephaniah 1 introduces the coming judgment of “the day of the Lord.” PROPHECY NOTE: As you read, remember that the same prophecies may referred to multiple fulfillments. There will be a “Day of the Lord” for Judah, when Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem in 586 B.C., but there will also be an “ultimate” Day of the Lord. Several times, Zephaniah is clearly pointing to THAT day. See if you can spot them!
Zephaniah 2 begins with a plea for fresh repentance: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land!” (2:3) Then, as many of the prophets do, he pronounces God’s judgment on the surrounding nations.
In Zephaniah 3, the prophet paints a picture of the judgment of all nations, including the city of Jerusalem. But he concludes with some of the most hopeful and encouraging words in the Bible. These words are for the Remnant of God’s People, and speak of their restoration. My favorite verse, perhaps in the whole Old Testament, is Zephaniah 3:17. Open up your Bible and read it as though Zephaniah were speaking to you.
Monday, we leap ahead in time to the prophet Haggai!
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
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