A threatening of the destruction of judah and jerusalem, an utter destruction, by the chaldeans, zephaniah 1. God, zephaniah, people of southern kingdom of judah, people and nations of the whole world. Zephaniah contemporary of jeremiah preached around 625 bc king manasseh is dead after a reign of 55 years the most evil king in judah he was the exact opposite of his father king hezekiah. Despite the fact that zephaniah warns judah of impending doom, the prophecy is dual, and the major fulfillment of his prophecy is yet future. Zephaniah challenges us to pursue a godly lifestyle, to acquire a greater willingness to do. Composed by the prophet composed by the prophet the dominant theme of the book is the day of the lord, which the prophet sees approaching as a consequence of the sins of judah. The book of zephaniah shows how gods justice and love work together to give the world hope. When his people are gathered from the four corners of the world and god is sitting on the throne. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah. Theme the day of the lord is approaching types and shadows in zephaniah the day of jesus is coming. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. The book of zechariah contains the clearest and the largest number of messianic about the messiah passages among the minor prophets. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible.
The date of zephaniahs prophecy is given as in the days of josiah the son of amon, king of judah. Book summaries zephaniah, zechariah, ezekiel flashcards. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer future. However, there is hope because god is merciful to his people. Desolation and discipline on judah zep 1 desolation on the surrounding nations zep 2 the lord s remnant from the nations zep 3. The book of zephaniah nasb audio bible non dramatized duration. God often convicts our hearts of the same sinful tendency to leave god. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. The return from exile is the theological premise of the prophets visions in chapters 16. Transcribed and edited by david sielaff, november 20. 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.
Zephaniahs main theme is the coming of the day of the lord see notes on isa 2. What kings of judah preceded zephaniahs prophetical work, and what king. The words of zephaniah contain one of my favorite bible verses. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. The book declares judgment on many nations, all of which opposed god through opposition to. The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. Chapters 78 address the quality of life god wants his renewed people to enjoy, containing many encouraging promises to them. Book of zephaniah simple english wikipedia, the free. The harpercollins study bible supplies headings for the book. The little book of zephaniah will never take the place of john 3.
Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. Constables notes on zephaniah 2020 edition unity criticism of the unity of zephaniah has not had great influence. Zephaniah does not make great use of historical events in the course of his prophecy. In that respect, its possible to think of the book of zechariah as a kind of miniature book of isaiah. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of. Zephaniah portrays the stark horror of that ordeal with the same graphic imagery found elsewhere in the prophets. Zephaniah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zephaniah for bible study or sunday school lessons.
Interesting facts about zephaniah barnes bible charts meaning. If its theme were known, i think it would be very much appreciated because it has the same theme as the gospel of john. The message of zephaniah to the global church of the twentyfirst century is the certainty of the coming day of the l ord. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The book is concerned throughout with the day of the lord. Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. On the whole earth, on judah, on the surrounding nations. Outline of the book of zephaniah woe to her that is rebellious and polluted. The book of zephaniah was written during the reign of king josiah, likely in the early part of his reign, between 635 and 625 bc. This is not the only place where this theme occurs, of course, but it is the most concentrated treatment of the judgment of god as the whole book is devoted to this one theme. On that day, punishment will be executed on all gods enemies from many nations and salvation will be granted to all gods people, also from many nations. Such neglect is not due to the mediocrity or the inferiority of this little book. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible.
Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations. Book of zephaniah the day of the lord is coming learn religions. Zechariahs prophecies took place during the reign of darius the great, and were contemporary with haggai in a post exilic world after the fall of jerusalem in 5876 bc. The book of zephaniah in the bible consists of three chapters. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. The day of the lord is a very prominent theme in zephaniahs prophecy.
When his people are gathered from the four corners of the world. This prophetic concept refers to any intervention of god in. Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. Not only judah, but pagan nations would suffer gods punishment. If one of these two themes rises to the surface, however, it is the. Three times god says i will sweep away in chapter 1 verses 1 and 2. Despite the fact that zephaniah warns judah of impending doom, the prophecy is dual, and the major fulfillment of.
Heres a video from the bible project that will help you understand the book of zephaniah better. 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. Zephaniah and his contemporaries, jeremiah and habakkuk, were some of the prophets god used to pronounce this warning message. The book begins with a preface, which recalls the nations history, for the purpose of presenting a. The book of zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of gods justice and love found in the prophetic books. What is the general theme of the book of zephaniah. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. The book of zephaniah niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 36 duration. The prophecy by zephaniah is a companion to that of habakkuk. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. A consuming fire, his justice purifies the people, and his love restores jerusalem for the nations. Thus the period from 640 to 622 is the likely time for the giving of the prophecy.
He begins his prophecy by tracing his heritage back to hezekiah king of judah. Beyond the judgment, we come to gods ultimate goals. The book of zechariah, attributed to the hebrew prophet zechariah, is included in the twelve minor prophets in the hebrew bible. Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major. The book of zephaniah, the ninth book of the twelve minor prophets, is written in three chapters. This prophecy shall be fulfilled in the kingdom age. Zephaniahs main theme is the coming of the day of the lord, when god will severely punish the nations, including apostate. It was zephaniahs lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. The day of the lord is coming, a time of reckoning. Zephaniah concludes with the wonderful promise of israels future restoration. As i understand the book, there are two dominant themes in zephaniah. 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.
Zephaniah addressing people french bible, 16th century. The book of zephaniah is a book of the bible and is thought to be written by zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah the book begins by telling of gods judgement on the kingdom of judah. Like other old testament prophets, zephaniah is a book rich in literary forms and features. Apr 28, 2019 the day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming brokenness and impending judgement. The book begins by telling of gods judgement on the kingdom of judah.
Zephaniah warns israel and the surrounding nations that the day of the lord is near. Gathering before his throne series which highlights gods purpose for the book of zephaniah which is to develop and maintain a relationship with the lord. The day of the lord is a major theme in zephaniah occurring 23 times in this short book. The dominant theme of the book is the day of the lord, which the prophet sees approaching as a consequence of the sins of judah. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Nov 03, 2015 the book of zephaniah nasb audio bible non dramatized duration. Aug 23, 20 the book of zephaniah niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 36 duration. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. The theme of zephaniah is the approaching day of the lord. Who is zephaniah and why is he important in the bible. His theme is the day of the lord, which destroys the false remnant of baal chapter 1, destroys the godrejecting nations chapter 2, and purifies the true remnant 3. Like the writings of many of the prophets, the book of zephaniah follows a pattern of judgment on all people for their sin followed by the restoration of gods chosen people. Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom.
The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah. Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. The book of zephaniah is a book of the bible and is thought to be written by zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. God will judge the nations with a burning fire as he purifies them from sin, evil and violence.
The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. Against the dark backdrop describing the judgment of god upon. The day of yahweh may be seen as that theme which unifies the entirety of the book of zephaniah. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer. Theme outline, purpose and relevance to our lives is part of zephaniah. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises. Gods mercy on israel was a common theme among the prophets. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. The main message of the first chapter in the book of zephaniah is the day of the lord. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute.
Zechariah pictures christ in both his first coming zechariah 9. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the. Zephaniahs primary target for gods message of judgment, the nation of judah, had fallen into grievous sin under the reign of their king, manasseh.
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