ZEPHANIAH
36 Zephaniah
Judah
(Northern Kingdom already in Assyrian exile)
2
Est. Year BC
From / To
848 / 841
835 / 835
Period
Pre-Exile
Pre-Exile
Address
Edom
Judah
Jonah
Amos
Hosea
782 / 753
760 / 753
755 / 715
Pre-Exile
Pre-Exile
Pre-Exile
Assyria
Israel
Israel
lsaiah
740 / 680
Pre-Exile
Judah
Micah
735 / 700
Pre-Exile Judah, Israel in Exile
Judah
Nahum
Zephaniah
Jeremiah
Habakkuk
664 / 654
632 / 628
627 / 580
609 / 605
Pre-Exile Judah, Israel in Exile
Pre-Exile Judah, Israel in Exile
Pre-Exile Judah, Israel in Exile
Pre-Exile Judah, Israel in Exile
Daniel
Ezekiel
605 / 535
593 / 571
Judah also In Exile
Judah also In Exile
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
520 / 520
520 / 480
432 / 424
Post-Exile
Post-Exile
Post-Exile
Prophet
Obadiah
Joel
Assyria
Judah
Judah
Judah
Judah
Judah
Returned Jew
Returned Jew
Returned Jew
3
The Book of Zephaniah
• Wrath Coming Upon Judah
1:1 – 2:3
• Wrath Upon All Nations
2:4 – 3:8
– West, East: Philistia, Moab, Ammon
– South, North: Ethiopia, Assyria
• After Wrath, Healing
3:9 – 3:10
– Conversion of Gentile nations
– Restoration of Covenant People
4
Zephaniah OUTLINE
Key theme: The coming day of the Lord
Key verses: Zephaniah 1:14; 2:3
I. THE DAY OF THE LORD AND THE JEWS
(1:1 — 2:3)
A. Pictures of that great day.
1. Like a flood — 1:2–6
2. Like a great sacrifice — 1:7–13
3. Like a battle — 1:15–18
B. Plea to seek the Lord — 2:1–3
II. THE DAY OF THE LORD AND THE GENTILES
(2:4–15)
A. Philistia — 2:4–7
B. Moab and Ammon — 2:8–11
C. Cush — 2:12
D. Assyria — 2:13–15
III. THE DAY OF THE LORD AND THE KINGDOM
A. Jerusalem: God’s jealous anger — 3:1–8
B. The Gentiles: graciousness and forgiveness — 3:11–20
C. The remnant: bounteous blessing — 3:11–20
1. The sinners removed — 3:11–13
2. The believers rejoicing — 3:14–17
3. The land restored — 3:18–20
(3:1–20)
5
Zephaniah 1:1-6
1:1 The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah son of Cushi,
son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of
Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah:
1:2 "I will completely remove all things From the face of the earth,"
declares the LORD.
1:3 "I will remove man and beast; I will remove the birds of the sky
And the fish of the sea, And the ruins along with the wicked; And
I will cut off man from the face of the earth," declares the LORD.
1:4 "So I will stretch out My hand against Judah And against all
the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And I will cut off the remnant of
Baal from this place, And the names of the idolatrous priests
along with the priests.
1:5 "And those who bow down on the housetops to the host of
heaven, And those who bow down and swear to the LORD and
yet swear by Milcom,
1:6 And those who have turned back from following the LORD,
And those who have not sought the LORD or inquired of Him.”
6
Zephaniah 1:7-12
1:7 Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is
near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated
His guests.
1:8 "Then it will come about on the day of the LORD'S sacrifice
That I will punish the princes, the king's sons And all who clothe
themselves with foreign garments.
1:9 "And I will punish on that day all who leap on the temple
threshold, Who fill the house of their lord with violence and
deceit.
1:10 "On that day," declares the LORD, "There will be the sound of
a cry from the Fish Gate, A wail from the Second Quarter, And a
loud crash from the hills.
1:11 "Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar, For all the people of
Canaan will be silenced; All who weigh out silver will be cut off.
1:12 "It will come about at that time That I will search Jerusalem
with lamps, And I will punish the men Who are stagnant in spirit,
Who say in their hearts, 'The LORD will not do good or evil!'
7
Zephaniah 1:13-18
1:13 "Moreover, their wealth will become plunder And their houses
desolate; Yes, they will build houses but not inhabit them, And plant
vineyards but not drink their wine."
1:14 Near is the great day of the LORD, Near and coming very quickly;
Listen, the day of the LORD! In it the warrior cries out bitterly.
1:15 A day of wrath is that day, A day of trouble and distress, A day of
destruction and desolation, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of
clouds and thick darkness,
1:16 A day of trumpet and battle cry Against the fortified cities And
the high corner towers.
1:17 I will bring distress on men So that they will walk like the blind,
Because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood will be
poured out like dust And their flesh like dung.
1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold Will be able to deliver them On
the day of the LORD'S wrath; And all the earth will be devoured In
the fire of His jealousy, For He will make a complete end, Indeed a
terrifying one, Of all the inhabitants of the earth.
8
Zephaniah 2:1-5
2:1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without
shame,
2:2 Before the decree takes effect-- The day passes like the chaff-Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before
the day of the LORD'S anger comes upon you.
2:3 Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried
out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps
you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger.
2:4 For Gaza will be abandoned And Ashkelon a desolation;
Ashdod will be driven out at noon And Ekron will be uprooted.
2:5 Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, The nation of the
Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan,
land of the Philistines; And I will destroy you So that there will
be no inhabitant.
9
Zephaniah 2:6-10
2:6 So the seacoast will be pastures, With caves for shepherds
and folds for flocks.
2:7 And the coast will be For the remnant of the house of Judah,
They will pasture on it. In the houses of Ashkelon they will lie
down at evening; For the LORD their God will care for them And
restore their fortune.
2:8 "I have heard the taunting of Moab And the revilings of the
sons of Ammon, With which they have taunted My people And
become arrogant against their territory.
2:9 "Therefore, as I live," declares the LORD of hosts, The God of
Israel, "Surely Moab will be like Sodom And the sons of Ammon
like Gomorrah-- A place possessed by nettles and salt pits, And
a perpetual desolation. The remnant of My people will plunder
them And the remainder of My nation will inherit them."
2:10 This they will have in return for their pride, because they have
taunted and become arrogant against the people of the LORD of
hosts.
10
Zephaniah 2:11-15
2:11 The LORD will be terrifying to them, for He will starve all the
gods of the earth; and all the coastlands of the nations will bow
down to Him, everyone from his own place.
2:12 "You also, O Ethiopians, will be slain by My sword."
2:13 And He will stretch out His hand against the north And
destroy Assyria, And He will make Nineveh a desolation,
Parched like the wilderness.
2:14 Flocks will lie down in her midst, All beasts which range in
herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will lodge in the tops
of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Desolation will be on
the threshold; For He has laid bare the cedar work.
2:15 This is the exultant city Which dwells securely, Who says in
her heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me." How she has
become a desolation, A resting place for beasts! Everyone who
passes by her will hiss And wave his hand in contempt.
11
Zephaniah 3:1-7
3:1 Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, The tyrannical city!
3:2 She heeded no voice, She accepted no instruction. She did not
trust in the LORD, She did not draw near to her God.
3:3 Her princes within her are roaring lions, Her judges are wolves
at evening; They leave nothing for the morning.
3:4 Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; Her priests have
profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.
3:5 The LORD is righteous within her; He will do no injustice.
Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail.
But the unjust knows no shame.
3:6 "I have cut off nations; Their corner towers are in ruins. I have
made their streets desolate, With no one passing by; Their cities
are laid waste, Without a man, without an inhabitant.
3:7 "I said, 'Surely you will revere Me, Accept instruction.' So her
dwelling will not be cut off According to all that I have appointed
concerning her. But they were eager to corrupt all their deeds.
12
Zephaniah 3:8-12
3:8 "Therefore wait for Me," declares the LORD, "For the day when I
rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To
assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My
burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My
zeal.
3:9 "For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, That all of them
may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him shoulder to
shoulder.
3:10 "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My
dispersed ones, Will bring My offerings.
3:11 "In that day you will feel no shame Because of all your deeds By
which you have rebelled against Me; For then I will remove from
your midst Your proud, exulting ones, And you will never again be
haughty On My holy mountain.
3:12 "But I will leave among you A humble and lowly people, And they
will take refuge in the name of the LORD.
13
Zephaniah 3:13-17
3:13 "The remnant of Israel will do no wrong And tell no lies, Nor will
a deceitful tongue Be found in their mouths; For they will feed and
lie down With no one to make them tremble.“
3:14 Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice
and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
3:15 The LORD has taken away His judgments against you, He has
cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your
midst; You will fear disaster no more.
3:16 In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: "Do not be afraid, O Zion; Do
not let your hands fall limp.
3:17 "The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will
exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over
you with shouts of joy.
14
Zephaniah 3:18-20
3:18 "I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts-They came from you, O Zion; The reproach of exile is a burden
on them.
3:19 "Behold, I am going to deal at that time With all your
oppressors, I will save the lame And gather the outcast, And I
will turn their shame into praise and renown In all the earth.
3:20 "At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather
you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise Among
all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before
your eyes," Says the LORD.
15
The Minor Prophets
Southern Kingdom
Northern Kingdom Other
Hosea
Joel
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk Habakkuk
Zephaniah Zephaniah
Haggai
Haggai
Zechariah Zechariah
Malachi
Malachi
Hosea
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Nahum
Introduction
Zephaniah means “Whom the Lord hides (or protects).”
He was born during the latter part of the reign of Manasseh
(686-642 b.c.); 2 Kgs 21:16.
Zephaniah was a contemporary of Jeremiah.
16
Zephaniah:
Zephaniah’s prophecy was given after Josiah’s revival, for
these reasons:
1) Cutting off the remnant of Baal worship implied that a
religious awakening was in progress (Zeph 1:4).
2) Jeremiah, who prophesied long after 622 (as well as
before), de- scribed Judah’s religious and moral
condition much as did Zephaniah
Jer 8:2; 19:13 with Zeph 1:5;
Jer 5:2, 7 with Zeph 1:5b;
Jer 8:8-9 with Zeph 3:4
3) The fact that the king’s sons wore foreign apparel
suggests that they were old enough to make their own
choices (Zeph 1:8).
17
Zephaniah: Dating Authentication
4) Zephaniah’s frequent quotations of the Law suggest that
he was using the sources discovered by Hilkiah
Zeph 1:13 with Deut 28:30, 39;
Zeph 1:15 with Deut 4:11;
Zeph 1:17 with Deut 28:29;
Zeph.2:2 with Deut 28:15-62
5) Zephaniah’s message of impending judgment would be
appropri-ate for those who spurned the religious revival
under Josiah.
Thus his prophecy was given sometime after the time
of Josiah’s revival in 622 b.c., but before the
destruction of Nineveh in 612 b.c. — which Zephaniah
indicated was still in existence then as the capital of
the Assyrian Empire (Zeph 2:13).
18
Zephaniah: Dating Authentication
Judah was benefiting from a power vacuum among the
superpowers of the day, so much so that King Josiah
extended his influence militarily as far north as Naphtali.
Assyria — which had carried off the 10 Northern tribes in 722
b.c., under Sargon II — was rapidly suffering eclipse.
When Sinsharishkun (623-612 b.c.), Ashurbanipal’s son, was
reigning over Assyria, the Neo-Babylonian Empire began
to emerge under Nabopolassar in 626.
Also the Medes, under Cyaxares II in 625, pulled out from
under Assyrian authority.
The collapse of the Assyrian Empire was delayed as the
Egyptians under Psamtik I (664-609 b.c.) allied with them,
but a coalition of Medes and Babylonians destroyed
Assyria’s capital city, Nineveh, in 612.
19
Zephaniah: Historical Setting
20
Zephaniah: Historical Setting
Before Josiah’s reign, Manasseh (695-642 b.c.) and
Manasseh’s son Amon (642-640 b.c.) had introduced wicked
practices into Judah.
Josiah was encouraged to remove Assyrian religious
practices from Judah.
As a result Judah prospered politically.
Manasseh built altars to Baal and worshiped the sun, moon,
and stars.
He built altars to these stellar objects and placed them in the
temple courts (2 Kings 21:4-5)
He made a carved Asherah pole (an image of the goddess
Asherah) and placed it in the temple (2 Kgs 21:7).
Child sacrifice and astrology prospered
(2 Kgs 21:6; 23:10-11)
King Amon, who may have been named after an Egyptian
deity, continued his father’s policies until his assassination
(2 Kgs 21:19-26; 2 Chr 33:21-25).
Josiah succeeded Amon in 640 b.c. at the age of 8.
In 632, at age 16, Josiah began to seek after the God of
his forefather David.
In 628, Josiah started a reform movement in which much
of the idolatry was purged from Jerusalem and Judah.
About that time Jeremiah (627 b.c.) commenced his ministry
and Judah moved toward independence from Assyria with a
potential revival of the idea of an undivided kingdom like
that of David and Solomon.
21
Zephaniah: Historical Setting
Then in the 18th year of Josiah’s reign (622 b.c.) a copy of
the Law was discovered by Hilkiah the high priest (2 Kgs
22:3-8).
This accentuated the religious renewal, including a new
enthusiasm for celebrating the Passover (2 Kgs 23:1-25;
2 Chr 35:3ff).
Unfortunately the promising reform movement was
superficial for it did not deeply affect the politico-religious life
of the nation.
Worship of Yahweh was reestablished, but idolatry was
not entirely removed.
This may also explain why the Priests had removed the
Ark of the Covenant and sought protection under Pharaoh
Necho (2 Chr 35:3ff).
22
Zephaniah: Historical Setting
Both Zephaniah and Jeremiah prophesied to a politically
prospering people of coming judgment because Josiah’s
reform movement still went unheeded.
Baal was again being worshiped (Jer 19:5; 32:35).
This may be why the Ark spent several centuries on
Elephantine Island in Egypt before being moved to Tana
Kirkos Island on Lake Tana, Ethiopia.
(Note: Pharaoh Necho was Ethiopian.)
23
Zephaniah: Historical Setting
One of the problems in many of the Old Testament prophecies
is the juxtaposition of the immediate and far horizons (e.g.,
Daniel 11, before and after verse 36, et al).
There are 1,845 references to Christ’s rule on the earth in
the Old Testament.
A total of 17 OT books give prominence to the event.
Of 216 chapters in the New Testament, there are 318
references to the Second Coming.
It is mentioned in 23 of the 27 books (exceptions are
the 3 single-chapter letters to private individuals and
Galatians)
For every prophecy relating to His first coming, there are
eight treating His Second Coming.
24
Zephaniah: Day of the Lord
The phrase “The Day of the Lord” occurs 7 times in this book.
Judgment would begin with God’s people, Israel
(Isa 2:5-3:26; Ezek 13:5; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11; Zeph 1:7,
14; Zech 14:1).
• It would begin with a battle cry as the Lord summoned
His enemies to prepare for battle (Isa 13:3-5; Ezek
30:2,3; Joel 1:15).
• It would be a day of darkness (Ezek 30:3) and fire (Zeph
1:18; Mal 4:1)
• It would be a day of cataclysmic events (Isa 34:4), when
the earth would tremble (Joel 2:1-11).
25
Zephaniah: Day of the Lord
26
Zephaniah: Day of the Lord
“The Day of the Lord” sometimes involves the judgment of
God’s people, including:
the Northern Kingdom
(at the hands of the Assyrians; Amos 5:18, 20);
and Judah
(at the hands of the Babylonians; Lam 1:12; 2:1, 2122; Ezek 7:19; 13:5; Zeph 2:2-3).
Sometimes this judgment appears in the context of a more
universal judgment on all nations (Isa 2:12; Zep 1:18).
These examples of the Lord’s intervention in history prefigure
that final time period when He will annihilate His enemies on a
more universal scale and restore Israel.
27
Zephaniah: Day of the Lord
The Day of the Lord, however, as other Scriptures show, will
include other events:
1) Before Israel’s enemies will be destroyed they will plunder and
devastate Israel (Zech 14:1-2).
This will be a time of anguish for Israel (Zeph 1:7-18;
Dan. 12:1)
Jesus called this time period (the Great Tribulation)
a time of ”great distress“ for the nation (Mt 24:21).
2) After the Lord will destroy His enemies (at Messiah’s return)
the day of the Lord will include a time of blessing for Israel,
known as the Millennium (Obad 15; Obad 21).
3) Then, after the Millennium the day of the Lord will also include
the destruction of the present heavens and earth and the
making of new heavens and a new earth (2 Pet 3:10, 12-13).
“The Day of the Lord” will thus be a lengthy time period
including both judgment and blessing.
It will begin soon after the Rapture and will include
• the seven-year Tribulation,
• the return of the Messiah,
• the Millennium, and
• the making of the new heavens and new earth.
In the Day of the Lord, Babylon (Isa 13:1, 6, 9), Egypt (Jer
46:10-11), Edom (Obad 1,15), and other nations (Joel 2:31;
3:14; Obad 14) would be laid waste as God intervened to
punish sin that had come to a climax.
28
Zephaniah: Day of the Lord
The Day of the Lord will begin with the Tribulation period,
“The time of Jacob’s Trouble”:
• In OT: Jer 30:7; Isa 24:20-21; 26:20-21; 34:1-3;
Joel 1:15; 2:2; Amos 5:18; Zeph 1:14-18;
• in NT: Rev 6:16-17; 11:18; 14:19; 15:1, 7; 16:5-7;
19:1, 2; and, it would embrace the entire
Millennium.
It was spoken of as:
• a “day of visitation” (1 Pet 2:12);
• a “day of judgment” (2 Pet 2:9); and,
• a “day of wrath” (Rev 6:17).
29
Zephaniah: Day of the Lord
30
Chiasmic Structure
Judgment on all the earth
Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem
1:2-3
1:4-2:3
Judgment on the surrounding nations 2:4-15
Judgment on Jerusalem
Judgment on all the earth
3:1-7
3:8
A warning of impending judgment
– The judgment announced
Zeph 1:2-6
– The judgment defined
Zeph 1:7-13
– The judgment described
Zeph 1:14-18
31
Zephaniah 1
32
Decree of
Cyrus
Babylon
1st Siege
Persian Empire
Decree of
Artaxerxes
2nd Siege
Triggers the 70 Weeks of Daniel
3rd Siege
“Servitude of the Nation”
“Desolations of Jerusalem”
Jeremiah Zephaniah
Daniel Ezekiel
2nd Chronicles
Esther
Haggai
Ezra
Zechariah
Nehemiah
Malachi
The day of the Lord is an important biblical concept that we
must take seriously, because it tells us where things are
going and how they’re going to end.
During the day of the Lord, God will
send tribulation to the world,
judge the nations,
save His people Israel, and then
establish His righteous kingdom.
God warns the world that judgment is coming, and it’s foolish
for anybody to be unprepared.
“Where will you hide on that great day?” (Zeph. 2:3).
33
Zephaniah 1-2
THERE’S A GREAT DAY COMING!
34
Zephaniah 1-2
THERE’S A GREAT DAY COMING!
You would expect that Zephaniah, the great-great-grandson of King
Hezekiah, to be living comfortably in Jerusalem, enjoying a life of
ease.
Instead, you find him ministering as God’s prophet, which was
a dangerous calling.
His contemporary, Jeremiah, was arrested and put in a filthy cistern
for admonishing the leaders of Judah to surrender to the
Babylonians.
God had shown Zephaniah that judgment was coming upon Judah
in the form of the Babylonian captivity, and the prophet had to
share this message with the people.
However, Babylon’s invasion of Judah was but a weak example
of what would occur on that final day of the Lord, which would
sweep over all the earth.
Zephaniah opened his book by presenting three graphic
pictures of the day of the Lord.
The first picture is that of a devastating universal flood (Zep
1:2–3).
The Hebrew word translated “consume” in the KJV means
“to sweep away completely.”
The picture is that of total devastation of all that God
created and is probably a reference to Noah’s flood.
You find similar wording in Gen. 6:7; 7:4; 9:8–10.
35
Zephaniah 1-2
THERE’S A GREAT DAY COMING!
36
Zephaniah 1-2
THERE’S A GREAT DAY COMING!
God gave man dominion over the fish, the fowl, and the beasts
(1:28; Ps. 8:7–8), but man lost that dominion when Adam
disobeyed God.
Through Jesus Christ, man’s lost dominion will one day be
restored (Heb. 2:5–9).
God will not only destroy His creation, but He will also destroy
the idols that people worship — the “stumbling blocks” that
offend the Lord (Ezek. 14:1–8).
When God stretches out His hand, it means that judgment is
coming (Isa. 9:12, 17, 21).
In Zephaniah’s day, idolatry was rife in Judah, thanks to the evil
influence of King Manasseh.
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the
son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah,
the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of
Amon, king of Judah.
Zephaniah identifies himself better than any of the other
minor prophets — four generations,
the great-great-grandson of Hezekiah and thus of royal
blood.
37
Zeph 1:1
Kings of Judah
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the
son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah,
the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of
Amon, king of Judah.
• Ahaz
• Hezekiah: 12th king of Judah; son of the unbelieving Ahaz;
ascended the throne at the age of 25 in 726 b.c.
Of his faithfulness it is written:
“He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him
was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor
any that were before him, for he clave to the Lord, and
departed not from following Him but kept His
commandments” (2 Kgs 18:5).
38
Zeph 1:1
Kings of Judah
39
Zeph 1:1
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the
son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the
son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king
of Judah.
• Manasseh: Son born to Hezekiah 12 years before his death.
Manasseh’s reign was the longest of the reigns of Judah’s
kings, 55 years (2 Kgs 21:1-18; 2 Chr 33:1-20).
He filled Jerusalem with blood:
“Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and
Judah that whosoever heareth it both his ears shall
tingle, and I wilt stretch over Jerusalem the line of
Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab (i.e. I will
destroy it as I did Samaria and Ahab), and I will wipe
Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, turning it upside
down,” (2 Kgs 21:13, 16; 24:4).
Kings of Judah
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the
son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah,
the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of
Amon, king of Judah.
• Amon: Possibly the name was given by Manasseh, when
an idolater, from the Egyptian god.
He reigned from 642 b.c. to 640 b.c. (2 Kgs 21:19; 2 Chr
33:20).
His own servants conspired and slew him in his own
house, and in their turn were slain by the people, who
raised his son Josiah to the throne.
40
Zeph 1:1
41
• Jehoahaz
• Jehoiakim
• Jehoiachin
• Zedediah
Bad News Losers:
Deterioration leads to
Babylonian Captivity
Kings of Judah
42
Zeph 1:1
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son
of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of
Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
Josiah
He had royal blood in his veins, but more important, he had the
message of God on his lips.
Josiah came to the throne at the age of eight, and at the age of
sixteen he committed himself to the Lord.
Religious idolatry was rampant because his father, Amon, had
reverted to Manasseh’s (55 years of) earlier evil practices.
When he was twenty, he began a great reformation in the land,
pulling down the idols and judging the false priests and
prophets.
He then began to rebuild the temple and led the nation in a
celebration of the Passover.
Kings of Judah
43
Zeph 1:1
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son
of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of
Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
...in the days of Josiah”: Zephaniah was the swan song of the
Davidic kingdom and he is credited with giving impetus to the
revival during the reign of Josiah, the happiest in Judah’s
experience.
Zephaniah saw deeper: he saw the hearts of the people, and he
knew that their religious zeal was not sincere.
The reforms were shallow; the people got rid of the idols in
their homes, but not the idols in their hearts.
The rulers of the land were still greedy and disobedient,
The city of Jerusalem was the source of all kinds of
wickedness in the land.
Kings of Judah
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah
the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of
Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the
son of Amon, king of Judah.
Even today, many believers lack discernment and think that
every “religious movement” is a genuine work of the Lord.
Sometimes outward reformation only prepares the way
for a work of the devil (Mt 12:43–45).
44
Zeph 1:1
Kings of Judah
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah
the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of
Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the
son of Amon, king of Judah.
Huldah Chuldah The Prophetess.
The king, high priest, counselors, etc., appealed to her
rather than to the priests, Levites, or Jeremiah;
Her word was accepted by all as the word of Yahweh (2
Kgs 22:14-20; 2 Ch 34:22-29).
45
Zeph 1:1
Assyria
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah
the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of
Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the
son of Amon, king of Judah.
In 721 b.c., under Sargon II (722-705 b.c.) Assyria overran
the Northern Kingdom and deported them throughout their
empire (2 Kgs 17).
Residents of the upper classes of people in Babylonia
and Syria were then settled in the cities of Samaria.
This manner of mixing peoples had been instituted by
Tiglath-pileser III as a means of minimizing the chances of
rebellion among the subjugated peoples; 2 Kgs 17:24.
These merged peoples became the Samaritans of the
later years (Jn 4:9, etc.).
46
Zeph 1:1
Assyria
47
Zeph 1:1
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son
of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of
Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
Sargon had scarcely completed the overthrow of Israel when he
was faced with the rebellion in Babylonia.
No sooner had this been put down when he became entangled
in campaigns in Asia Minor and Urartu (ancient Armenia).
When he died, he was followed on the throne successively by:
• Sennacherib (705-681 b.c.),
• Esarhaddon (680-669 b.c.), and
• Ashurbanipal (669-633 b.c.).
Assyria
48
Zeph 1:1
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son
of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of
Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
Sennecharib likewise became involved in suppressing revolts as
far west as Cilicia, where he captured the city of Tarsus in
698 b.c. He was murdered by his sons.
Esarhaddon succeeded him, and was faced with considerable
opposition from peoples to the north: the Cimmerians and
Scythians. In the course of time, however, he ultimately
succeeded in his invasions of Egypt.
Ashurbanipal, his successor, relentlessly subjugated Egypt.
Upon his death the might of Assyria began to wane and his
successors could do little to quell the forces against them.
Assyria
49
Zeph 1:1
1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of
Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of
Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
In 614 b.c. the Babylonians, aided by the Medes, overthrew the
Assyrian capital of Asshur and in 612 b.c.
Nineveh suffered a similar fate.
When Assyria began to decline in the face of the emergence of the
Babylonians, Egypt fought two major battles against the Babylonians
at Carchemish (modern Jerablus).
They were nominally victorious in the first encounter (during which
Josiah was tragically killed; 2 Kgs 23:29-30; 2 Chr 35:20-27; Jer
46) but were severely beaten by Nebuchadnezzar in 606 b.c.,
establishing Babylonian supremacy in the region.
It was the invasion by the Babylonians that Zephaniah predicted in the
forthcoming passages (Zeph 1:10-17; 2:4-7, et al.).
utterly consume
50
Zeph 1:2
2] I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith
the LORD.
“...utterly consume”: Utterly scrape the land.
As we move further into this prophecy, we will recognize that
this judgment covers more than just the land of Israel.
It is a worldwide devastation that is predicted here.
The Book of Revelation confirms this and places the time of
this judgment as the Great Tribulation Period.
During that period, this earth will absolutely be denuded
by the judgments that will come upon it.
This will occur right before God brings in the millennial
kingdom and renews the earth.
man, beast, fowl, fishes
3] I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls
of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling
blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the
land, saith the LORD.
Zephaniah blends the near and far prophetic views together.
The immediate judgment of Judah prefigures a far greater
worldwide time of trouble to come upon Israel and the
nations of the world
(Dan 12:1; Mt 24:21; Rev 8:1-20:3 Jer 30:5-7; Joel
3:2-17).
This would all be preparatory to Israel’s final restoration and
kingdom blessing
(Jer 30:8-9; Joel 3:18-21; Amos 9:11-15; Zeph 3:1420; Hag 2:20-23; Zech 8:20-21; 14:16-21; Mal 4:1-4;
Acts 1:6; Rom 11:25-36; Rev 20:4-6).
51
Zeph 1:3
man, beast, fowl, fishes
3] I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls
of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the
stumbling blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off
man from off the land, saith the LORD.
man, beast, fowl, fishes
These four are in reverse order from Creation:
• fish, Gen 1:20a
• birds, Gen 1:20b
• livestock and wild animals, Gen 1:24
• and man Gen 1:26.
52
Zeph 1:3
53
Zeph 1:4
4] I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal
from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the
priests;
Judah and Jerusalem are to be singled out for judgment.
In Zephaniah’s day, idolatry was rife in Judah, thanks to the evil
influence of King Manasseh.
The prophet names two of the false gods that had captured the
hearts of the people:
Baal, the rain god of the Canaanites (Zeph. 1:4), and
Malcom (Milcom, Molech), the terrible god of the Ammonites (1
Kings 11:33; Amos 5:26).
The people also worshipped the host of heaven (Deut. 4:19; Jer.
19:13; 32:29) following the godless example of the idolatrous priests
(“Chemarim” in Zeph. 1:4; see 2 Kings 23:5, 8; Hos. 10:5).
4] I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon
all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the
remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the
Chemarims with the priests;
“Chermarims” means “black priests.”
The root of the Hebrew word means either
“black,” referring to the color of their robes (Jewish
priests wore white), or
“zealous,” referring to the frenzy of their religious
ceremonies as they prostrated themselves before their
gods.
54
Zeph 1:4
4] I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon
all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the
remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the
Chemarims with the priests;
The Scriptures, beginning with the Book of Judges, teach a
philosophy of human government, which you will find was true
of God’s people and which has been true of every nation.
1) The first step in a nation’s decline is Religious Apostasy,
a turning from the living and true God.
2) The second step downward for a nation is Immorality.
3) The third step downward is Political Anarchy.
55
Zeph 1:4
The Church of Laodicea
56
Zeph 1:4
4] I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all
the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant
of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims
with the priests;
This betrayal of Christ in the name of Christianity is one reason for
the moral and spiritual malaise with which this country is afflicted.
Judgment begins with the “household of God” (1 Pet 4:17).
Churches no longer influence the development of national
character.
In our culture, there is no longer any connection between
character and destiny.
People go to church mainly because of an impulse to
participate in a service of entertainment, not because of any
spiritual guidance they expect from the clergyman.
the church of the Laodiceans
57
Rev 3:14-22
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation
of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou
wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue
thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need
of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the
fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint
thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I
also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Five Reasons for the Decline and Fall of Rome
1) The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home
as the basis of society;
2) Higher and higher taxes; the spending of public money
for free bread and circuses;
3) The mad craze for pleasure; sports and entertainments
(ever more violent);
4) The building of great armaments, even though the
enemy was within;
5) The decay of religion, fading into mere form, losing
power to guide the people.
[Source: Gibbon (a non-Christian historian).]
58
Zeph 1: the Decline and Fall of Rome
59
Zeph 1:5
5] And them that worship the host of heaven upon the
housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the
LORD, and that swear by Malcham;
“...host of heaven (Baalim, astral deities)”: the sun, moon,
stars... Mars!
Baal (Mars) was the son of El, in the Canaanite
pantheon, the god of war.
His sister-consort was Anath.
Malcham is the name of Molech, the god of the
Ammonites.
Sacrifice of children in Hinom Valley...while they still
professed Temple worship.
We also sacrifice children, in the Holy of Holies: “ye are
the temple of God.”
After Zephaniah said that God would remove the false priests,
he then referred to three forms of idolatrous worship,
introducing each of them by the phrase “those who.”
First, he noted the worshipers of stellar bodies, people who
bow down on flat housetops (Jer 19:13; 2:29) as starworshipers — through which the powers of nature were
supposedly harnessed.
The sun, moon, and stars were regarded as deities.
Though God had clearly warned against this practice (Deut
4:19), Manasseh led the way in this perversion also (2 Kgs
21:3, 5; 2 Kgs 23:4-5).
60
Zeph 1:5 Three Forms of Idolatry
61
Zeph 1:5 Three Forms of Idolatry
After Zephaniah said that God would remove the false priests, he
then referred to three forms of idolatrous worship, introducing
each of them by the phrase “those who.”
Second, Zephaniah mentioned those who attempted to
combine the worship of Yahweh with the worship of Molech, a
form of religious syncretism.
Molech was the chief god of the Ammonites (1 Kgs 11:33), a
people east of the Dead Sea (Zeph 2:8-9).
Jeremiah, a contemporary of Zephaniah, said the Jews were
sacrificing children to Molech (Jer. 32:35; 2 Kgs 16:3; 21:6).
The Hebrew Malkām (Zeph 1:5) is a variant spelling of
”Molech.“
To swear by a deity meant to pronounce an oath under the threat
of punishment by that deity if one failed to carry out his oath.
After Zephaniah said that God would remove the false priests,
he then referred to three forms of idolatrous worship,
introducing each of them by the phrase “those who.”
Third, the prophet spoke of others who were religiously
indifferent and unconcerned about worshiping the true
God (v. 6),
even though they may not have been worshiping
other gods.
62
Zeph 1:5 Three Forms of Idolatry
6] And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those
that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.
Two groups:
1) Those who had known the truth and departed; backsliders
2) Those who are indifferent: the unsaved.
Ecumenical strategies are abhorrent to a jealous God, who puts
His Word even above His name (Ps 138:2)
It is easy to lose sight of the fact that God’s people had been
blessed above all other nations.
It was their base ingratitude to Him that finally brings down His
wrath.
Any form of greed or covetousness is regarded by God as
idolatry (Col 3:5).
We become like the gods we worship (Ps 135:18).
63
Zeph 1:6
64
Zeph 1:6
6] And them that are turned back from the LORD; and
those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for
him.
These idolaters may have claimed that they were still faithfully
worshipping Jehovah, the true and living God, but Jehovah will
not share worship or glory with any other god.
In turning to idols, the people had turned away from the
Lord and were not seeking Him or His blessing.
They were guilty of sins of commission (worshipping idols)
and omission (ignoring the Lord).
6] And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those
that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.
• If Satan has any part of your heart, he will have it all;
• If the Lord have but half offered to Him, He will have none.
65
Zeph 1:6 Nonlinearities
The second picture is that of a great sacrifice.
Since the Jewish people were accustomed to attending
communal sacrifices (1 Sam. 9:11), this image was familiar
to them.
But this sacrifice would be different, for it was God who
was hosting the sacrifice.
His guests were the Babylonians; and the sacrifices to be
offered were the people of Judah!
No wonder the prophet called for silence as he contemplated
such an awesome event! (Amos 6:10; 8:3; Hab. 2:20)
Other instances of judgment depicted as sacrifice include:
Isa 34:5–7; Jer 46:10; Eze 39:17–19; Rev 19:17–21.
66
Zeph 1:7-13
67
Zeph 1:7
7] Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the
day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a
sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
“Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD”:
The lack of reverence for God today:
• the notion that Jesus is sort of a buddy;
• that God is “the man upstairs”;
• that we can indulge in casualness about our Creation and our
Redemption…
7] Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the
day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a
sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
“...the day of the Lord”: first mention in this book.
It will begin when the Church leaves this Earth.
The 1st of 19 references in Zephaniah to “the day,” “that
day,” “a day,” “the day of the Lord‘s wrath,” and similar
phrases referring to “the day of the Lord.”
Here, there is no definite article; this is but a precursor;
Rv 1:10
“...the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice...”: Biting sarcasm?
His guests will be the sacrifice… Guests ( vs. “the called
ones” = Zeph 2:3?).
68
Zeph 1:7
69
Zeph 1:8
8] And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD’S sacrifice, that I will
punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are
clothed with strange apparel.
You would expect the royal family and the religious leaders of the land to be
the honored guests at God’s feast, but they are the ones to be sacrificed!
In addition to the idolaters, Judah’s royalty were also the objects of God’s
scorn;
they included princes Jer. 36:12; Hos 8:4 (officers of the king’s
court;),
Josiah’s sons, and
the aristocracy
They evidenced their disobedience by wearing the latest fashions from
Nineveh and Babylon (foreign clothes).
The Lord had made some stipulations about Israelite dress (Num 15:38;
Deut 22:11–12).
Adopting foreign dress outwardly most likely implied that they also
had absorbed foreign values and practices inwardly.
70
Zeph 1:8
8] And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD’S sacrifice, that
I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as
are clothed with strange apparel.
• Zedekiah’s children killed, his eyes put out...2 Kgs 24-25 [Jer 32:4;
Ezek 12:13].
• Huldah the prophetess had intimated that which Zephaniah now more
expressly foretells (2 Kgs 22:20).
• Josiah’s sons were certainly punished:
His son Jehoahaz reigned only three months and then was
captured by Pharaoh Neco II and taken to Egypt (2 Kgs 23:31-34).
Josiah’s wicked son Jehoiakim, who reigned for 11 years (2 Kgs
23:36) was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs 24:1-2);
• Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin reigned only three months in 597 and was
taken captive to Babylon (2 Kgs 24:8-16).
• Judah’s last king, Zedekiah, another of Josiah’s sons, was blinded by
Nebuchadnezzar and taken to Babylon (2 Kgs 24:18-25:7).
9] In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on
the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with
violence and deceit.
“...leap on the threshold”: In imitation of the Philistine fear of
not treading on the threshold,
This superstition arose from the head and hands of Dagon
being broken off on the threshold before the ark
(1 Sam 5:4,5, Ezek 9:3; 10:4; 46:2; 47:1).
This was viewed superstitiously as the abode of demons,
thus a place of particular danger.
In Roman times, it finds expression in carrying a bride
across the threshold, etc.
71
Zeph 1:9
9] In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the
threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence
and deceit.
Perhaps “those that leap on the threshold” describes the haste
with which the covetous Jews left their houses to go out to exploit
the poor and acquire wealth to devote to their false gods.
The prophets condemned the rich for their brutal treatment of
the poor in the land.
72
Zeph 1:9
10] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD,
that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate,
and an howling from the second, and a great crashing
from the hills.
Zephaniah must have been a resident in Jerusalem - he knew
the layout of the city.
When the Babylonians, “God’s guests”, would come to the
sacrificial feast, they would enter the city, plunder it, and
then destroy it.
The Fish Gate was where the fishermen had their markets;
The “second quarter” was where the rich people lived in their
fashionable houses, built from the wages owed to poor
laborers.
73
Zeph 1:10
10] And it shall come to
pass in that day, saith
the LORD, that there
shall be the noise of a
cry from the fish gate,
and an howling from
the second, and a
great crashing from
the hills.
“...the fish gate” =
Damascus Gate.
74
Zeph 1:10
75
Zeph 1:11
11] Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant
people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
Maktesh = mortar, or deep hollow, possibly because the
district lay in a part of Jerusalem that was in a natural
depression.
It was the market and business district of the city where the
merchants and bankers were located
- the Tyropean Valley, “cheesemakers’ valley”
along the temple where the Wailing Wall is today.
But perhaps there is a double meaning here:
God would deal with His people the way women pound
grain in a mortar.
76
Zeph 1:12
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.
“...search Jerusalem with candles”: the search for leaven on
Passover…
The city would be destroyed, and the merchants’ wealth
confiscated.
So thoroughly would the Babylonians do their work that
they would search the city carefully and find even the
people who were hiding.
Josephus wrote about a later invasion in which the
city’s aristocracy were literally dragged from the
sewer system where they hid for fear of death.
77
Zeph 1:12
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”: “hardened” or crusted;
They were like wine that sits undisturbed for a long time (Jer.
48:11; Amos 6:1) and congeals because it isn’t poured from
vessel to vessel to get rid of the bitter dregs.
The worship of false gods had polluted the nation, and the
pure wine had become bitter.
The tragedy is that the invasion could have been avoided if the
people had not been so complacent and indifferent toward what
God was saying through His prophets.
Judah was certain that the Lord was on their side because they
were God’s covenant people.
13] Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their
houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but
not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but
not drink the wine thereof.
After grapes are squeezed, wine is allowed to stand in a vat
so the accumulation of sediment can settle to the bottom.
If it stands too long, it becomes thick and syrupy and
unpalatable.
The people of Jerusalem is compared to the “dregs”
proverbially “settles on their lees” (Jer 48:11), illustrating their
stagnancy and inability to have moved in time.
[Spiritual indifference in our day?].
78
Zeph 1:13
14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and
hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD:
the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
The prophet’s third picture of the day of the Lord is that of a
great battle.
vv.14-18 goes beyond the local, prefiguring, invasion
The description is a vivid one:
You can hear the cries of the captives and the shouts of
the warriors;
You can see thunderclouds of judgment and flashes of
lightning;
You behold the victims’ blood poured out like cheap dust
and their “entrails like filth” (v. 17 niv).
79
Zeph 1:14
80
Zeph 1:14
14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth
greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty
man shall cry there bitterly.
“...is near”: Grammatically this verse stresses the word near, which
is first in the sentence in Hebrew
(“near” in v. 7, where it also appears in this emphatic position).
The fearful wrath of God was to come on the nation quickly.
The Great Tribulation is yet future.
In Zephaniah’s day, after Josiah ruled, there never arose
another good king
— Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedediah: every
one corrupt.
81
Zeph 1:14
14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and
hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD:
the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zephaniah wrote shortly after 622 b.c., the year of Josiah’s
partial revival, their day of the Lord was in fact imminent.
In 605 b.c., only 17 years after Josiah’s revival, Judah under
Jehoiakim became a vassal of Babylon and many of
Judah’s best young men were deported.
Under Jehoiakim’s equally wicked successor, Jehoiachin,
the city was again besieged by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 b.c.
and some 10,000 Jews were deported.
Under Zedekiah the city was under a long siege by
Nebuchadnezzar and was finally destroyed in the summer
of 586 b.c.
14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and
hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD:
the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Verses 14b-16 describe the physical characteristics of that
awful day,
Verses 17-18 describe the personal trauma of that judgment.
“cry there bitterly”: The concept of the Wailing Wall would
come into existence.
82
Zeph 1:14
15] That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and
distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of
darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick
darkness,
“...wasteness and desolation”: sho’ah and ha’Avm.
umesho’ah
— similar sounds convey the alliteration of
Destruction, Distress, Desolation, and Darkness
[Feinberg].
83
Zeph 1:15
16] A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced
cities, and against the high towers.
“...trumpet and alarm”: Sound the alarm; but it is against the
fenced cities, etc.
The trumpets precede the bowls: Rev 8ff
84
Zeph 1:16
17] And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall
walk like blind men, because they have sinned
against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured
out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
What a scene of destruction and carnage, and all because
the nation refused to submit to the word of the Lord.
85
Zeph 1:17
86
Zeph 1:18
18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver
them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall
be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make
even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
The fire of God’s jealous zeal would consume everything, and no one
would escape.
The Hebrew word translated “jealously” (1:18; 3:8) means “to be
hot, to be inflamed.”
God’s jealousy is not like human envy, for what could God envy
when He has everything?
He is jealous over His name and His glory, and His anger is
aroused when His people worship other gods (Ex. 34:14; Ps.
78:58; 79:5).
God is jealous over His people and wants their
wholehearted love and devotion.
87
Zeph 1:18
18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver
them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole
land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he
shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that
dwell in the land.
Even the wealthy would not be able to ransom their lives, and
the enemy would take away their ill-gotten riches.
88
Zeph 1:18
18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver
them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole
land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he
shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that
dwell in the land.
What Zephaniah described here is but an illustration of what will
happen in the end times when God’s judgment falls on a wicked
world, only that final day of the Lord will be far more terrible
(Rev. 6-19).
There will be cosmic disturbances that will affect the course
of nature and cause people to cry out for a place to hide
(Amos 5:18; 8:9; Joel 2:1–2, 10, 30–32; Rev. 6:12–17).
• God not only judges His own people, but also the nations.
• He is gracious, and not willing that any should perish.
• He sends out a final call before judgment.
1] Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O
nation not desired;
It is not that He does not love them;
It is because of their shameless sin.
89
Zeph 2:1
2] Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as
the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come
upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come
upon you.
Note the tone of urgency here.
Repentance before the judgment comes, before it’s too late.
Judge not.
Just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any
more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
90
Zeph 2:2
91
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven’s door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp–
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Herb, who I always thought
Who never said anything nice.
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
A Snapshot
of Heaven
I nudged Jesus, “What’s the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How’d all these sinners get up here?
God must’ve made a mistake.
“And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber -- give me a clue.”
“Hush, child,” He said, “they’re all in shock.
No one thought they’d be seeing you.”
92
Zeph 2:3 the LORD’S anger.
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it
may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.
“...shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger”:
Most modern English translations use some form of the word
“shelter” which gives both the idea of hiding and that of protection
(JB, NAB, NEB, NIV, NJV).
“Perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the wrath of the Lord:”
A remez? A hint of something deeper… Rev 3:10.
A Rapture hint? OT “Remezim”: Is 26:19-21; Ps 27:5; Zep 2:3:
Ye shall be hid. Ye shall be preserved in the time of judgment.
This recalls the prophet’s name, which means:
“Whom the Lord hides.”
93
Zeph 2:3 What’s In a Name?
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD’S anger.
They would be sheltered lit., “hidden, concealed,”
from... sathar, to hide, conceal carefully;
a synonym of...
tsaphan to hide, treasure, or store up, hide from
discovery; which is associated with the name Zephaniah:
Tsephanyah, “Jehovah has protected, treasured”
Protected from...the impending doom of God’s anger (Zep 2:2).
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD’S anger.
Isaiah 26:19-21 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead
body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for
thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the
dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and
shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little
moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the
LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the
earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood,
and shall no more cover her slain.
Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his
pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he
shall set me up upon a rock.
94
Zeph 2:3 Old Testament Allusions?
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD’S anger.
• Enoch and the Flood of Noah (Gen 5:24).
• Isaac’s Absence after his offering (Gen 22:19 – 24:62).
• Ruth during the Threshing Floor Scene (Ruth 3:7-9).
• Daniel’s absence from the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3).
95
95
Zeph 2:3 Old Testament Patterns
96
96
Zeph 2:3 3 Groups Facing Flood of Noah
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD’S anger.
• Those that perished in the Flood
• Those preserved through the Flood
• Those removed prior to the Flood
– Enoch Born on: Hag Shavuot *
– Enoch Translated on : Hag Shavuot *
– Church born on: Hag Shavuot *
* = Feast of Weeks, Harvest, Pentecost
97
Zeph 2:3 “Exclusionary Truth”
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness:
it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.
Lesson: Avoid “exclusionary truth” (e.g., hyper-dispensationalism?)
The Gospels only apply to rejecting Israelites?
(Rom 15:4; 2 Tim 3:16; et al.).
Spiritual gifts only until canon complete?
Canon incomplete? (Rev 10:3,4).
Inoculation: a mild dose to make one immune to the real thing.
Remedy: “Whole Counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
Don’t be “willingly ignorant”: (2 Pet 3:3-6).
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD’S anger.
Unless you know Jesus Christ as your own Savior, you will
have no place to hide.
This explains why the prophet closed this message with a
plea for the people to repent of their sins and turn to the
Lord for His forgiveness.
Like the prophet Joel (2:16), he told them to call a solemn
assembly and seek the Lord.
98
Zeph 2:3
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD’S anger.
Zephaniah especially called upon the godly remnant (“you
meek of the earth”) to pray and seek God’s face, perhaps
referring to the promise in 2 Ch 7:14.
But even if the majority of the nation followed false gods
and turned away from the Lord, God would still protect His
own precious remnant when the day of Judgment comes
(Mal. 3:16–18).
99
Zeph 2:3
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD’S anger.
Zephaniah and Jeremiah ministered during the same period in
history,
Both of them begged the rulers to trust God and turn from
sin, but the kings, officials, and priests refused to obey.
God would have rescued the nation at the last minute,
but the leaders were insensitive to God’s call and
disobedient to His Word.
100
Zeph 2:3
101
Zeph 2:3
3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have
wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek
meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the
LORD’S anger.
The Lord did spare a godly remnant that stayed true to Him
throughout the seventy years of captivity.
They were a “company of the committed,” who became
the nucleus of the restored nation when they returned to
the land.
In every period in history it is the godly remnant that keeps the
light burning when it seems as if the darkness is about to
cover the earth.
God is keeping His “book of remembrance” (Mal. 3:16–17),
and you and I want our names in that book.
The Day of the Lord and the Gentiles
God’s judgment begins in the house of the Lord (1 Peter
4:17), which explains why Zephaniah started with the
people of Judah;
Now he explains how the day of the Lord will affect the
Gentile nations surrounding Judah.
Though they were never given God’s law as were the Jews
(Ps. 147:19–20), the Gentiles are still responsible before
God;
God has revealed Himself to them in creation and
conscience (Rom. 1:18).
102
Zeph 2:4-15
The Day of the Lord and the Gentiles
Furthermore, these nations had not always treated the Jews
kindly, and now the time had arrived for God to judge them.
The nations named may represent all the Gentiles, since
these nations correspond to the four points of the
compass:
Assyria (north),
Cush (south),
Moab and Ammon (east), and
Philistia (west).
During the great day of the Lord, all the nations of the earth
will taste the judgment of God.
103
Zeph 2:4-15
4] For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation:
they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and
Ekron shall be rooted up.
The Doom of Israel’s neighbors (from Zeph 2:4 - 3:8).
God is not a local deity:
– Philistines in the west
v.5–7
– Moabites and Ammonites in the east
– Ethiopians in the south v.12
– Assyrians in the north
v.13–15
v.8–11
104
104
Zeph 2:4 Judgment of the Nations
Philistia
4] For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation:
they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron
shall be rooted up.
The Philistines were ancient enemies of the Jews (Gen. 2021, 26).
According to Amos 1:6–8, they took Jewish people
captive from cities in southern Judah and sold them to
other nations as slaves.
But the time would come when their populous cities would be
empty and their land left desolate, a place for shepherds to
feed their flocks.
Their coastal cities, made wealthy by vast shipping
enterprises, would be destroyed by the enemy and left in
ruins.
105
Zeph 2:4
4] For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a
desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day,
and Ekron shall be rooted up.
Nebuchadnezzar invaded Philistia and conquered it, and the
only remnant of that great nation left today is the name
“Palestine,” which comes from “Philistine” (Ezek. 25:15–
28:26).
However, the Jews will inhabit the land of the Philistines
when the kingdom is established, and the Lord will enable
them to live in peace.
Zephaniah will later have more to say about this when he
describes the kingdom blessings (Zeph. 3:9–20).
106
Zeph 2:4 Philistia
Zeph 2:4
Philistines
4] For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation:
they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron
shall be rooted up.
Four of the cities of the Philistines
Gath, the 5th, had already been destroyed by the Assyrian
king Sargon II in 711 b.c.
Gaza is certainly problematic today and Ashkelon is a
desolation.
The present Ashkelon is not over the ruins of the old city.
Zeph 2:5
Philistines
5] Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of
the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O
Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy
thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
The Cherethites were a people (of Hamitic descent)
• came from the island of Crete (Deu 2:23; Jer 47:4; Amo 9:7)
• migrants who came to be known as Philistines
(which means “emigration” (Ps 83).
Zeph 2:6
Philistines
6] And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for
shepherds, and folds for flocks.
“...cottages”: Rather, “dwellings with cisterns” (that is, watertanks dug in the earth) for shepherds.
The Hebrew for “dug cisterns,”
Ceroth, seems a play on sounds, alluding to their name
Cherethites (Zeph 2:5):
Their land shall become what their national name implies,
a land of cisterns.
Instead of a thick population and tillage, the region shall
become a pasturage for nomad shepherds’ flocks.
Zeph 2:7
Philistines
7] And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of
Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of
Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the
LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their
captivity.
You can visit the beaches and apartments at Ashkelon and
see this.
However, they may yet be driven from this area before the
final fulfillment.
Now Zephaniah turns to the east:
8] I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the
children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people,
and magnified themselves against their border.
The Moabites and Ammonites originated from Lot’s incestuous union
with his two daughters (Gen. 19:30–38)
They were hateful enemies of the Jews (Num. 22; Judg. 3, 10; 1
Sam. 11:1–5; 2 Sam. 12:26ff.).
These two arrogant nations would end up like Sodom and
Gomorrah, wiped off the face of the earth
(Gen. 19; note the connection here with Lot).
No more would they insult either the nation of Israel or Israel’s God.
Amos 1:13-2:3 - evidence of the wickedness and inhumanity of
these two nations.
The prophet promised that the Jews would occupy the land of their
enemies when the kingdom is established (Eze 25:1–11).
111
Zeph 2: 8 Moab and Ammon
Zeph 2:9
Moab & Ammon
9] Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of
Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the
children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of
nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the
residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant
of my people shall possess them.
Here the implication seems to be that hard words spoken
against Israel as the Lord’s people are in effect spoken
against the Lord himself.
“...saltpits”: Found at the south of the Dead Sea.
The water overflows in the spring, and salt is left by the
evaporation (Judg 9:45; Ps 107:34).
Zeph 2:9
Moab & Ammon
9] Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of
Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of
Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and
saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my
people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people
shall possess them.
These nations consistently opposed Gods people:
• Moab: Num 22:1-6; 25:1-8; Jud 3:12ff; 2 Kgs 3:4ff; 2 Chr
20:1ff; Ezek 25:8.
• Ammon: Judg 11:4-33; 1 Sam 11:1-11; 2 Sam 10:1-14; 2
Chr 20:1ff; Neh 2:10, 19; 4:3-23; Jer 40:14.
Their land, which for centuries had been noted for its fertility,
would become a desolate waste.
The Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan is one of the poorest
countries in existence.
10] This shall they have for their pride, because they have
reproached and magnified themselves against the people
of the LORD of hosts.
11] The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish
all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every
one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.
Pride, against the Jew. The plight of the Edomites…
They will be judged for their
pride and arrogance (Isa 16:6),
gross immorality, idolatry (1 Kgs 11:7), and
psychopathic inhumanity (2 Kgs 3:26-27).
114
Zeph 2:10-11
10] This shall they have for their pride, because they have
reproached and magnified themselves against the people
of the LORD of hosts.
11] The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish
all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every
one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.
The danger among believers today:
a pride of race;
a pride of face;
a pride of grace.
Paul said he had nothing to glory in.
If he had none, then certainly we have none!
Seek: righteousness. Meekness.
115
Zeph 2:10-11
10] This shall they have for their pride, because they have
reproached and magnified themselves against the people
of the LORD of hosts.
11] The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish
all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every
one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.
“...famish all the gods of the earth”:
Which “gods” are these?
“...all the idols of the heathens”:
Who / What might be included in these?
116
Zeph 2:10-11
Cush - Ethiopians
12] Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
This nation was located in the upper Nile region.
These are the descendants of Cush (Gen 10:6), including
eastern Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, etc.
Ethiopia had been a great nation — even ruling Egypt (720654 b.c.);
At times it threatened the well-being of Judah
(2 Kgs 19:9; 2 Chr 14:9-13; Isa 37:9).
She was to be ravaged by war; the “sword”; Zeph 3:10.
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian soldiers conquered
this ancient nation (Ezek. 30:4–5).
117
Zeph 2:12
Assyria
13] And he will stretch out his hand against the north,
and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a
desolation, and dry like a wilderness.
Until the rise of Babylon, Assyria had been the dominant
power, a ruthless people who were notorious for their pride
and their cruelty to their enemies.
A century and a half before, God had sent the prophet
Jonah to Assyria’s capital city of Nineveh to warn them of
God’s judgment, and the people had repented, but
successive generations went back to the old pagan ways,
and Nineveh was destroyed in 612.
Within the next few years, the once great Assyrian Empire
simply vanished from the face of the earth, and Zephaniah
saw it coming.
118
Zephaniah 2:13-15
Assyria
13] And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and
destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation,
and dry like a wilderness.
The judgment is worldwide.
To the north: Assyria had been dominant for centuries.
Zephaniah’s prophecies were in advance of the MedoBabylonian attacks.
“...Nineveh”: Nineveh is one of the oldest cities in the world
(Gen 10:11).
In Zephaniah’s day it was deemed impregnable.
Xenophonthe ancient Greek historian, reported that its
walls stood 100 ft. high, and 50 ft. thick.
They were surrounded , by a moat 150 ft wide, and
protected by 1200 towers.
119
Zeph 2:13
Nineveh
13] And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and
destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation,
and dry like a wilderness.
Diodorus Siculus refers to a legend that stated that the city
would not be taken until the river became its enemy (Nahum
1:8; 2:6; 3:13, 15).
History records that when the Medes and Babylonians
attacked Nineveh, there was a sudden rise in the level of
the Tigris River.
Water began to soften the sun-dried bricks, a section of the
wall collapsed, causing a breach in the defenses and the
once-proud city was soon overrun and destroyed.
120
Zeph 2:13
Nineveh
121
Zeph 2:13
13] And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and
destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation,
and dry like a wilderness.
Nineveh was destroyed by Cyaxares and Nabopolassar, 625 bc
The Scythian hordes, by an inroad into Media and then in the
southwest of Asia are thought by many to be the forces
described by Zephaniah, as the invaders of Judea, rather
than the Chaldeans.
For a while they interrupted Cyaxares’ operations; but he
finally succeeded.
Arbaces and Belesis previously subverted the Assyrian
empire under Sardanapalus (that is, Pul?) in 877 b.c.
Nineveh
14] And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the
beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the
bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice
shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the
thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
Their buildings are to be torn down.
“...cormorant”: by some, “pelican” (Ps 102:6; Isa 34:11).
“...bittern”: Maurer translates, “the hedgehog”;
Henderson, “the porcupine” (Isa 14:23).
122
Zeph 2:14
123
qa’ath
• The first term is qa’ath which is translated
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
vulture (RSV),
“cormorant” (KJV)
“pelican” (RV, JB)
“jackdaw’ (BJ, NJV)
“screech owl” (NAB)
“horned owl” (NEB)
“desert owl” (NIV)
RSV
BJ
KJV
JB
RV
NAB
NEB
NIV
NJV
Revised Standard Version
La Bible de Jerusalem
King James Version
Jerusalem Bible
Revised Version
New American Bible
New English Bible
New International Version
New Jewish Version
• The qa’ath is found in a list of unclean birds in Leviticus 11:18
and Deuteronomy 14:17.
— It is also mentioned as inhabiting deserted places in
Psalm 102:6 and Isaiah 34:11. This seems to make it
unlikely that a water bird like the cormorant or pelican is
intended, or a scavenger like the vulture.
124
qippod
• The second uncertain word is qippod, which is translated
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
“hedgehog” (RSV, BJ)
“bittern” ([JV)
“heron” (JB)
“porcupine” (RV)
“desert owl” (NAB)
“ruffed bustard” (NEB)
“screech owl” (N IV)
“owl” (NJV)
RSV
BJ
KJV
JB
RV
NAB
NEB
NIV
NJV
Revised Standard Version
La Bible de Jerusalem
King James Version
Jerusalem Bible
Revised Version
New American Bible
New English Bible
New International Version
New Jewish Version
Nineveh
125
Zeph 2:15
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her
heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a
desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that
passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
Because Nineveh thought it was an impregnable city, her citizens were
careless and carefree when Zephaniah made his prediction, but God
brought both the people and their city down into the dust of defeat.
(Nahum and Isa. 45; 47:10.)
Nothing then seemed more improbable than that the capital of so vast
an empire should be so totally destroyed that its site is difficult to
discover.
When Alexander the Great marched his armies up the TigrisEuphrates Valley, Nineveh had been so completely covered that
they were unaware that beneath their feet lay the once mighty city
of Nimrod (Gen 10:8-11).
Yet so it is, as the prophet foretold.
126
Zeph 2:15
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said
in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she
become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in!
every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
Ninevah was large, having with its suburban areas a of 60 miles
and a population of at least 120,000.
A city 60 miles in circumference,
with walls 100 feet high,
so thick that 3 chariots could go abreast on them, and
with 1,200 towers,
In addition to an extensive outer wall there was an inner wall
with an 8-mile circumference, 50 feet thick and 100 feet high.
Between the two walls was enough farmland to support the
huge population
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that
said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how
is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down
in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his
hand.
The picture of Nineveh’s destruction is completed as the
prophet reiterated that the city, though apparently quite
secure, would be shamed.
Its king was arrogant because of its supposed
impregnability (Isa 10:12).
It was known as the carefree city, as its populace felt it
lived in complete safety.
127
Zeph 2:15
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said
in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she
become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in!
every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his
hand.
Nineveh’s claim (“there is none besides me”) was no idle
boast!
For approximately 200 years she was superior in strength
to any other city of her time.
An attack on the outer wall, begun in 614 b.c. by the
Medes and Babylonians, and a combination of trickery
by the attackers, carelessness by the attacked, and a
natural disaster, finally brought victory to the attackers
(Nah 1:10; 2:3-5; 3:11).
128
Zeph 2:15
Implications
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said
in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she
become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in!
every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his
hand.
The precision of these prophecies are startling preview of the
overthrow of the world’s nations in the end times.
God has judged the nations in the past, and He will judge
them in the future.
America, too, is ripe.
129
Zeph 2:15
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said
in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is
she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down
in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag
his hand.
Since the predictions about the destruction of these nations
have all come true, isn’t it reasonable to assume that
Zephaniah’s other predictions will also be fulfilled?
Each of these local invasions and conquests was a
precursor of the end times day of the Lord, which will come
upon the whole world.
When the day of the Lord has run its course, Israel will be
delivered, and the Lord will establish His glorious kingdom on
the earth.
130
Zephaniah 2:15
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said
in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is
she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down
in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag
his hand.
Before we leave Zephaniah 1 and 2, we must note some
practical truths that apply to believers today.
First, God judges His people when they deliberately
disobey His law.
His people are to be different from the other nations and
not imitate their ways or worship their gods (Num. 23:9;
Ex. 33:16; Deut. 32:8).
“Be not conformed to this world” is an admonition for
all believers today (Rom. 12:2; see 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).
131
Zephaniah 2:15
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said
in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is
she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down
in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag
his hand.
Second, God’s promise to Abraham still stands:
Those who bless Israel, God will bless; those who curse
Israel, God will curse (Gen. 12:1–3).
The nations that have sinned against God by
mistreating the Jews can expect Him to judge them.
132
Zephaniah 2:15
15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said
in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is
she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down
in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag
his hand.
Finally, God’s Word is true and will be fulfilled in its time.
God’s people can claim His promises and know that their
God will be faithful, and God’s enemies can be sure that
His words of warning carry costly penalties.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”
(Heb. 10:31).
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Zephaniah 2:15
• The sins of Jerusalem (v. 1-5).
• Failure to learn from the example of the fate of other cities
(v. 6-7).
• The universal Day of Judgment (v.8; 1:2-3, 17-18).
• Renewal of the gentile nations after the judgment (v. 9-10).
• The Israeli Survivors (v. 11-13).
134
Zephaniah 3
135
Zeph 3: THE GLORY OF THE KINGDOM
The prophets consistently close their books with messages of hope
• Hope is a great motivation for obedience.
The prophets wanted to encourage God’s people to submit to
God’s will and do what He commanded.
God’s covenant blessings come to His people only when they
obey His covenant conditions.
• Hope expresses confidence in the faithfulness of God.
The Lord will keep His promises and one day establish the
kingdom.
Since God will keep His promises, we ought to be faithful
obeying His Word.
If we obey, God will be faithful to chasten;
If we confess, He will be faithful to forgive.
• Hope is an encouragement to the faithful remnant who remain
faithful to Him.
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THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
It’s difficult to belong to that “company of the committed” who
stand true to the Lord and His Word no matter what others may
do or say.
Knowing that God would one day defeat their enemies and
reign in righteousness would encourage the believers
remnant to persist in their faithful walk with the Lord.
One of the key truths found in the Minor Prophets is the presence
of a godly remnant in times of moral and spiritual decay.
This remnant is a small group of people whose devotion to the
Lord can make a difference in the nation.
If God had found as many as 10 righteous people in
Sodom, He would have spared the whole city (Ge 18:32)!
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THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
Israel was at its lowest ebb during the period of the Judges.
Yet God could always find a dedicated man or woman to lead
His armies to deliver His people.
Elijah thought he was the only faithful person left in the land,
but God informed him that He had seven thousand who
hadn’t bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18).
“Unless the Lord of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we
would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like
Gomorrah” (Isa. 1:9 nkjv).
Becoming a part of the “the company of the committed” is a
choice we make.
“The company of the committed” are
people who are truly concerned about the will of the
Lord and the character of their country,
people who are distressed by evil and want to do
something about it.
The prophet Ezekiel had a vision of the remnant in his day:
“Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of
Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that
sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the
midst thereof” (Ezek. 9:4).
The NIV translates “sigh” and “cry” as “grieve” and “lament.”
138
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
Whoever wrote Psalm 119 belonged to the “sighers and
criers” of his day.
“Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have
forsaken your law” (v. 53 niv);
“I am a companion of all those who fear you, and of
those who keep Your precepts” (v. 63 nkjv).
He was an encouragement to others who belonged to the
“company of the committed,”
“Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
because I have hoped in Your word” (v. 74 nkjv).
And he told the careless sinners in the land,
“Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the
commandments of my God!” (v. 115 nkjv).
139
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
These are not people motivated by anger so much as by
anguish.
Anguish is what the “company of the committed” feel as
they behold the moral and spiritual decline of the nation.
“Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men
do not keep Your law” (Ps. 119:136 nkjv).
“Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet Your
commandments are my delights” (v. 143 nkjv).
There’s a place for righteous anger in the Christian life (Ep
4:26), but anger alone may do more harm than good.
“For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness
of God” (James 1:20 nkjv).
When righteous anger is mingled with compassion, you have
anguish
140
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
Each of the prophets whose writings we have studied are
good examples for us to follow.
First, they were totally committed to the Lord.
Amos was an ordinary farmer and shepherd, untrained in
the schools of the prophets; yet God called him to deliver
His message at a strategic time in history.
God calls “laypeople” to serve Him in significant places,
people who have no professional ministerial training, yet
who are doing great things for the glory of the Lord.
141
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
Robert Murray M’Cheyne wrote,
“It is not great talents God blesses so much as great
likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in
the hand of God.”
This statement isn’t a criticism of ministerial education.
God often lays hold of “untrained” people and trains them
in His own way to accomplish His work.
There’s a place in God’s vineyard for a brilliant Jonathan
Edwards and also for a D. L. Moody, who probably had the
equivalent of a sixth-grade education.
142
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
The “company of the committed” is made up of people who
are separated from sin (Rom. 12:1–2; 2 Cor. 6:14 — 7:1),
but who are not isolated from the real world.
They aren’t “holier than thou” in their attitude toward
sinners.
They have the courage to be different (but not odd) and
to walk the narrow road no matter what it may cost
them.
They are people who pray consistently for those in
authority (1 Tim. 2:1–4).
It does no good to write letters and protest if we
aren’t praying for those leading our nation.
143
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
Second, the “company of the committed” is composed of
people who have a proper fear of God in their hearts.
The prophets certainly teach the love of God toward His
people and toward lost sinners, but they also remind us that
“our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29).
They believed the Word of God and knew that judgment
was coming to the land.
The only nation on earth that is in a special covenant
relationship with God is the nation of Israel.
While many of the founding fathers of the United States of
America were God-fearing men, the people of the United
States can’t claim special privileges from God because of
their citizenship.
144
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
What we have are the promises of God for those of His people
who will obey 2Ch 7:14 and intercede for their country.
God works in response to believing prayer, and believing
prayer must be based on the Word of God.
The fear of the Lord is the fear that conquers every fear.
John Wesley said, “Give me one hundred preachers who
fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care
not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such
alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of
God on earth.”
He was describing the “company of the committed.”
145
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
146
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
Third, the “company of the committed” is a company
composed of believers who realize that God wants His
people to “flock together” and not try to do everything
alone.
The most dangerous believers are those who aren’t accountable
to anybody but do whatever they please and think they’re
serving God.
They write angry letters to government officials, media
people, and even local pastors, and often they don’t sign their
names.
They seem to feel that God has called them to set
everything right in the world, even though they often don’t
really understand the problems they’re trying to solve.
147
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
Instead of belonging to the “company of the committed,”
they’re charter members of the “company of the confused.”
Mal 3:16 “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one
another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a
book of remembrance was written before Him for those
who fear the Lord and who meditate in His name” (nkjv).
A good description of the kind of “company” God is
seeking.
When you study the “one another” statements of the New
Testament, you discover how much Christians need one
another and need to minister to one another.
It has well been said that you can’t raise one Christian any
more than you can raise one bee.
Every local church has its weaknesses and faults,
but it is where the family of God gathers and that’s where
we belong.
Nobody was born into a perfect family.
Yet we love our brothers and sisters and try to ignore the
things that irritate us.
When Jesus sent out the twelve apostles, He sent them out
two by two, because “two are better than one” (Eccl. 4:9).
People who are a part of the “company of the committed”
don’t try to go it alone.
They love one another,
Pray for one another, and
Seek to encourage one another.
148
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
149
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
The company of the committed realize the importance of
righteousness and justice in the land.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to
any people” (Prov. 14:34 nkjv).
The believers in the “company of the committed” seek to be
salt and light in the land (Matt. 5:13–16) and do all they can to
prevent decay and dispel darkness.
The influence of their character, conduct, and witness
promotes righteousness, whether it’s in
their daily work,
the way they vote or pay their taxes,
their example,
the way they raise their children, or
how they invest their time and money.
Nehemiah is a person who exemplifies what it means to be in
the “company of the committed.”
When he heard about the tragic condition of Jerusalem,
he sat down and wept,
knelt down and prayed, and then
stood up and worked to change things (Neh. 1 — 2).
He could have excused himself by arguing,
“It’s not my fault that Jerusalem is in ruins,” or
“I have a job to do right here in the palace.”
Nehemiah never read the words of Edmund Burke, but he
lived by them:
“It is necessary only for the good man to do nothing for evil
to triumph.”
150
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
When you read the book of Nehemiah, you meet a man who
enlisted the help of the Jewish leaders and rallied the
common people to rebuild the wall of the city.
He didn’t try to do it alone.
He was a man of prayer who trusted God to supply the
needs and defeat the enemies around Jerusalem.
In 52 days, the job was done, and the song of praise from
Jerusalem could be heard for miles.
The “company of the committed” know the importance of good
leadership in the nation.
“Everything rises and falls with leadership,” claims Dr. Lee
Roberson, and he’s right.
151
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
During the times of the prophets, the leaders of Israel and
Judah were too often selfish, disobedient to God’s law, and
unwilling to trust Him for the wisdom and help that they
needed.
The prophets warned the kings, princes, and priests that
their sins would ruin the nation, but the men refused to
listen.
After Judah was ravaged and Jerusalem and the temple
ruined, Jeremiah wrote that it had been caused by
“the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests”
(Lam. 4:13).
152
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153
THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
A democracy is not a theocracy, where the king is God’s
representative on earth;
nor is a pluralistic society the same as the homogeneous
society of the Jewish people, who were all governed by the
same moral code.
But leaders in a democracy should still be expected to be
men and women of character, who practice honesty and
integrity and who genuinely care for their people.
Someone has said that
A politician is concerned about his party and asks, “Is it
popular?”
The diplomat is concerned with policy and asks, “Is it safe?”
The statesman is concerned about the good of the nation
and asks, “Is it right?”
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THE COMPANY OF THE COMMITTED
Edward Everett Hale, author of The Man without a Country,
wrote,
I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
A good motto for the “company of the committed.”
Add to it the great words of Paul:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me …
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His
good pleasure” (Phil. 4:13; 2:13 nkjv).
It’s time to be concerned.
It’s time to be committed.
155
Zeph 3:1–8 Jerusalem: God’s Jealous Anger
Jerusalem is commonly called “the Holy City,”
Nehemiah 11:1, 18; Isaiah 48:2; 52:1; Daniel 9:24;
Matthew 4:5; 27:53; Revelation 11:2; 21:2; 22:19.
In Zephaniah’s day, the city didn’t manifest much holiness!
Isaiah (1:21ff.), Jeremiah (29:12ff.), and Ezekiel (4-6, 9)
gave the same assessment in their day.
Even the Gentiles called Jerusalem “the rebellious and
wicked city” (Ezra 4:12, 15),
and they could cite proof for their statement.
Instead of being holy,
the city was filthy and polluted because of shameful sin;
Instead of bringing peace (“Jerusalem” means “city of
peace”),
the city was guilty of rebellion and oppression.
God gave His people the revelation of Himself in His
Word and His mighty acts,
yet they didn’t believe Him or seek Him.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse
your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you doubleminded” (James 4:8 nkjv).
156
Zeph 3:1–2 A sinning people
1] Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the
oppressing city!
“Woe to her...”: Clearly identified as Jerusalem ( v.4,14).
They had the Temple.
Privilege creates responsibility.
[Where does that put us?]
Ro 3:16: “Destruction and misery are in their ways.”
“...filthy and polluted”: Pollution is on the inside:
Pornography is the garbage of the ungodly.
Obscenity and violence are the garbage of the world’s
entertainment.
Immorality arises whenever people are treated like things
and things are valued as if they were people.
157
Zeph 3:1
2] She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction;
she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her
God.
God had sent judgment:
185,000 Assyrians outside their walls scared the daylights
out of them (2 Kgs 18 -19).
God relieved them, but they “received not correction.”
How about America?
Riots, fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes
— yet we continue in our arrogance (and our debts),
denying the God of our heritage and flaunting our
sin (Isa 5:18ff).
158
Zeph 3:2
Princes and Judges
3] Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are
evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the
morrow.
Corruption among her princes and judges:
God expected the civil and religious leaders of the land to
take His Word seriously and lead the people in the way of
righteousness.
Instead, the leaders acted like ravenous beasts in the
way they oppressed the people and took what they
wanted from them.
Insatiable greed, devouring all in ravenous appetites,
leaving nothing till the morning...sound familiar?
159
Zeph 3:3
Prophets
4] Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her
priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done
violence to the law.
The prophets were unfaithful to the Lord and His Word and dealt
treacherously with the people.
By their lives they brought disrespect upon the Temple, the
sanctuary of God.
They didn’t proclaim God’s truth; they only preached what the
people wanted to hear.
You do violence to the law when it is not interpreted accurately, or
even left untaught.
These were the theological liberals of their day.
How many pastors really know the Word of God?
Many resort to psychology rather than the sufficiency of Christ
160
Zeph 3:4
Priests
161
Zeph 3:4
4] Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her
priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence
to the law.
The very ministry of the priests was toxic, polluting the sanctuary!
Mat 23:25-28
25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the
outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and
self-indulgence.
26 "You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so
that the outside of it may become clean also.
27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like
whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they
are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
28 "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are
full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Instead of serving God for His glory, the priests twisted the law to
please themselves and gain what they wanted.
Priests
4] Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her
priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done
violence to the law.
The tragedy is that God had spoken to His people and
corrected them in discipline, and yet they wouldn’t listen or
obey (Zeph. 3:2).
“If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction
but continue to be hostile toward me, I myself will be hostile
toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times
over” (Lev. 26:23–24 niv).
This was the message of Jeremiah to the city of Jerusalem
even while Babylon was poised to attack (Jer. 2:30; 5:3; 7:8;
17:23; 32:33).
162
Zeph 3:4
5] The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do
iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to
light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
God’s name was identified with the city and the temple (2
Sam. 7:13; 1 Kings 5:5; Neh. 1:9),
Both were represented Him
Both had become cesspools of iniquity.
God would have to act in judgment for His own name’s sake.
The wicked officials met at the city gate morning after
morning to transact their evil business, and the Lord was
there to behold their deeds.
How patiently He waited, and yet they would not repent and
turn to Him for cleansing!
163
Zeph 3:5 A righteous God
164
Zeph 3:5
5] The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do
iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to
light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
“...no shame”: What ever happened to shame?
There always has been immorality
— but it had the sensitivity to remain hidden, not
publicly condoned.
Now iniquity was practiced openly without shame.
In the name of political correctness and inclusiveness,
“Broadmindedness” has become a synonym for condoning sin.
It was the social acceptance of homosexuality that brought
down Sodom and Gomorrah.
6] I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I
made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their
cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there
is none inhabitant.
The Jews were more guilty than were the Gentiles because
the Lord had given Israel more truth and more blessing.
The people were sinning against a flood of light.
God’s judgment of the other nations should have awakened
the Jews to their peril, but they paid no attention.
After all, they thought, they were God’s covenant people,
and He would protect them from their enemies.
They forgot that covenant privileges also involved covenant
responsibilities.
165
Zeph 3:6 A righteous God
The Coming Climax
6] I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I
made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their
cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there
is none inhabitant.
Since the Lord reminded His people that He had judged the
Gentiles and cut off nations
He was able to cut Judah off as well.
When studying the glory that was Rome, it is easy to see why
they were confident that it would live forever.
Yet when you view the ancient ruins, and the stones worn
by chariot wheels, it is hard to imagine the great cities of
yesterday.
What about New York or Los Angeles?
166
Zeph 3:6
167
Zeph 3:7
7] I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive
instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off,
howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and
corrupted all their doings.
The warnings of judgment seem to have little effect.
The Jews were more guilty than the Gentiles because the Lord
had given Israel more truth and more blessing.
The people were openly sinning in a floodlight of truth.
God’s judgment of the other nations should have awakened the
Jews to their peril, but they paid no attention.
They thought that because they were God’s covenant people, He
would protect them from their enemies regardless of their own
disobedience and willful sinning.
They forgot that covenant privileges also involved covenant
responsibilities.
168
Zeph 3:8 A righteous God
8] Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day
that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to
gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to
pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce
anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of
my jealousy.
The Lord describes a courtroom scene in which He stands to
testify against His people.
While the impending Babylonian captivity is in view there is also
an end-times application pointing to the Battle of Armageddon,
when the nations of the world converge against Jerusalem.
God will pour out His wrath upon these nations, deliver His
people, and establish His kingdom (Zech. 14:1–9).
8] Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the
day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is
to gather the nations, that I may assemble the
kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even
all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured
with the fire of my jealousy.
“...all the earth”: The Planet Earth is moving toward a
definite appointment with a jealous God (Ps 2; Rev
16:13-16).
His jealous anger will burn like fire against all who resist His
truth and disobey His Word.
The terrible day of the Lord will dawn, and there will be
no escape (Zeph. 1:2 ff.)
169
Zeph 3:8
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to
serve him with one consent.
“...then”: The word “then” signifies a major pivot in the
prophet’s message both in tone and in content
“...a pure language”:
Language that is pure? (free of blasphemies, etc.)
Or pure Hebrew? (True today...)
Kingdom age language? (Zech 14:9; Isa 2:2-3; Zech
8:20-23; Joel 2:28-32; Hab 2:14).
The confusion of Babel to be undone??
170
Zeph 3:9
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve
him with one consent.
“For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, That all of them
may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him shoulder to
shoulder.” Zephaniah 3:9 NAS
Instead, “pure lips” may simply mean the renewal of once
defiled speech.
The words spoken by one’s lips reflect his inner life (Is 6:5-7)
As a result the nations, turning to reverential trust in God,
will call on the name of the Lord and will evidence their
dependence on Him by their united service (“shoulder to
shoulder”).
171
Zeph 3:9
172
Zeph 3:9
The Gentiles: God’s Gracious Forgiveness
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve
him with one consent.
God’s call of Abraham involved bringing God’s blessing to the
whole world (Gen. 12:1–3).
God accomplished this by giving the Jews the knowledge of
the true God, the written Word of God, and the Savior,
Jesus Christ (Rom. 9:1–5).
They were to share these blessings with the Gentiles.
The Jews were supposed to magnify the Lord’s name before
the Gentiles.
Instead, they imitated the pagan nations and disgraced
God’s name (Isa. 52:5; Rom. 2:24).
173
Zeph 3:9
The Gentiles: God’s Gracious Forgiveness
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve
him with one consent.
The court of the Gentiles in the Jewish temple was supposed to
be the place where Gentiles could talk with Jews about the true
God and even pray to Him,
Israel’s religious leaders made that area into a market for
selling sacrifices and exchanging money.
What kind of testimony was that to the outsiders who were
earnestly seeking the truth?
The Gentiles: God’s Gracious Forgiveness
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve
him with one consent.
God promises that the Gentiles shall be converted.
Instead of calling on their false gods, the Gentiles will call
upon the true and living God and have their lips purified.
Since what we say with our lips comes from the heart
(Matt. 12:34–35),
Cleansed lips indicate forgiven sin and a cleansed
heart (Isa. 6:1–8).
174
Zeph 3:9
The Gentiles: God’s Gracious Forgiveness
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve
him with one consent.
The Gentiles will do much more than call on the Lord and
receive His cleansing;
They will also serve the Lord as one people and no longer
be divided
(“serve Him shoulder to shoulder,” niv).
175
Zeph 3:9
The Gentiles: God’s Gracious Forgiveness
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve
him with one consent.
The prophets teach that during the Kingdom Age the Gentiles
will go to Jerusalem to worship and serve the Lord
(Isa. 2:1-5; 4:1-6; Ezek. 40-48; Zech. 14:9 ff.).
The prophets had to use language and images that the
people of their day understood,
but if these predictions are not to be take literally it’s
difficult to understand why the prophets (especially
Ezekiel 40-48) wrote in such great detail.
176
Zeph 3:9
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that
they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve
him with one consent.
10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants,
even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine
offering.
The God of Israel will be the Lord of all the earth, and the
Gentile nations will honor and serve Him.
Along with the scattered Israelites who return to their land,
the Gentiles will bring the Lord offerings and be called His
“worshippers.”
177
Zeph 3:9-10 Worshippers
178
Zeph 3:9-10 Worshippers
9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may
all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one
consent.
10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the
daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
Before the Lord’s death on the cross, there was a vast difference in the
relationship of Jews and Gentiles to each other and to our Lord.
But the middle wall that separated them has now been taken down
(Eph. 2:11),
Now, both can share in the spiritual blessings that come through
faith in Christ.
“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord
over all is rich unto all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the
name of the Lord shall be saved’” (Rom. 10:12–13 nkjv).
This miracle of God’s grace will be demonstrated in the Kingdom Age as
the Gentile nations trust and worship the God of Israel.
10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants,
even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine
offering.
“...my suppliants”: Falashas means “migrant,” or “stranger.”
comes from the same root as Philistine
“...shall bring mine offering”: Some believe that the Ark of
the Covenant is hidden in Ethiopia (Acts 8).
Legend: Menelik I, switching a replica with the real
one in the days of Solomon, etc.
Highly doubtful and improbable; however 2 Chr 35
179
Zeph 3:10
The Return
180
Zeph 3:10
10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even
the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
The return of the Ethiopian Jews in 1991 made history.
In 36 hours, 14,000 Jews were flown to Israel.
On the Jewish Sabbath, May 24, and continuing non-stop for 36
hours, a total of 34 El Al jumbo jets and Hercules C-130s —
seats removed to accommodate the maximum number of
Ethiopians.
Some of the rows of 10 seats had 18 people crammed into them.
[David Allen Lewis, Can Israel
Survive in a Hostile World?, p. 240.]
On May 24, 1991, a 747 carried 1,086 on just one flight, and landed
with two more than they started with: two babies were born enroute,
making a total of 1,088!
[Source: Guiness Book of Records, 1995 edition.]
The Remnant: God’s Bounteous Blessing
11] In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy
doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for
then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that
rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty
because of my holy mountain.
When the terrible day of the Lord is over, Israel will be a new
nation.
The Jews will look by faith upon the Messiah whom they
crucified, believe in Him, and enter into a new life in the
promised kingdom.
181
Zeph 3:11–20
182
Zeph 3:11 Sin will be removed
11] In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings,
wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will
take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy
pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my
holy mountain.
The Jews won’t have to be “put to shame” because, when they
see Christ,
They will be ashamed of what they did to the Lord and will
mourn over their transgressions (Zech 12:10- 13:1).
It will be a time of deep repentance and confession that will
lead to salvation.
God will especially deal with the pride of Israel that for centuries
had kept them from submitting humbly to the righteousness of
God that comes only by faith in Christ
(Rom. 9:30-10:13; Phil. 3:1–12).
183
Zeph 3:11 Pride destroyed
11] In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings,
wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take
away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride,
and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy
mountain.
“...no more be haughty...”: The meek shall inherit the earth.
There will be no place on God’s holy hill for proud sinners who think
they can earn God’s salvation by their good works.
God’s judgment comes on shameless immorality.
God’s own can never reach a place where they are satisfied in sin.
If you can live in sin and be happy — you can be sure that you
are not a child of God.
The prodigal son was never happy in the pigpen.
He was absent from his place of blessing
— but he never lost his sonship!
12] I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and
poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the
LORD.
The three Babylonian deportations left the poor, afflicted, and
crippled in Jerusalem.
God is pledged to take care of the poor (Mt 5:3,5).
In contrast to the proud sinners will be the believing remnant,
the “meek and humble, who trust in the name of the Lord”
(Zeph. 3:12 niv).
Faith in Christ will make everything new so that the people
will no longer disobey God or practice deception.
All love of idolatry will be taken from their hearts, for idols are
lies and to worship them is to practice deception.
184
Zeph 3:12
Sin will be removed
13] The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak
lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their
mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall
make them afraid.
During the years of their worldwide dispersion, in many
places the Jews have been subjected to threats and
intimidation, even fearing for their lives (Deut. 28:63–68),
That will end when God establishes the kingdom and
Christ reigns over the nations.
185
Zeph 3:11–13
13] The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak
lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their
mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none
shall make them afraid.
“...they shall feed and lie down”: Employing the metaphor of
a shepherd with his sheep (Ps 23; Jn 10).
For the first time in centuries, the Jews will be able to enjoy
their meals and their sleep, for all their enemies will have
been defeated.
The preserved company standing with the Lamb on Mount
Zion when the glory is about to be displayed (Rv 14:1–5).
[Ironside, H. A.: Notes on the Minor Prophets.
Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1909, S. 317]
186
Zeph 3:13
187
Zeph 3:14 God’s people rejoice, singing
14] Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and
rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
This image of “the motherhood of God” assures forgiven sinners
that God is with them, that He loves them, and that they have
nothing to fear.
Other passages that speak of the “motherhood of God” Isa
49:14–16; 66:13; Mat 23:37–39. Psa 131 see 1Th 2:7–8.
The people of God sing and shout because of all that God has
done for them.
He has taken away their punishment, defeated their enemies,
and come to dwell with them.
They have God’s presence with them and God’s power
working for them (Zeph. 3:17).
14] Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and
rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
“...be glad and rejoice with all the heart”: The book of
Zephaniah concludes with a paragraph different in tone
from the whole of the rest of the book.
The faithful minority have passed through the
punishment of the nation.
This paragraph is similar in outlook to such passages as
Isa 52:7–10; 54:1–8; Zech 2:10; 9:9.
188
Zeph 3:14
189
Zeph 3:15 Jesus is King and Lord
15] The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast
out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the
midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
The Lord has guaranteed that the people of Israel will never
again be afraid.
Because the Lord is the King of Israel, His people will
have nothing to fear.
When Pilate presented a suffering Jesus to the Jewish
leaders, they rejected Him and shouted, “We have no king
but Caesar” (John 19:15).
15] The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath
cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the
LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil
any more.
The Hebrew verbs here are in the past (the so-called
“prophetic perfect”),
but they really refer to events which are still future.
The Jewish people will joyfully acknowledge that Jesus Christ
is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Phil 2:9–11)
Instead of standing dejectedly like defeated prisoners of
war, the Jews will enthusiastically shout God’s praises.
190
Zeph 3:15
16] In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou
not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
“In that day”: The opening words mark explicitly that the
prophet is speaking about the future…
191
Zeph 3:16
192
Zeph 3:17 God rejoices with singing
17] The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will
save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his
love, he will joy over thee with singing.
This depicts the Lord singing over His children and finding joy in
their presence.
God holds them next to His heart like a loving mother holds a
baby;
He quiets them with His love singing to them!
Our God is a “singing” God.
God the Son sang at the close of the Passover Feast, and then
went to the garden to pray (Matt. 26:30).
He also sang after His triumphant resurrection from the dead
(Ps. 22:22; Heb. 2:12).
God the Spirit sings today through the hearts and lips of Christians
who praise God in the Spirit (Eph. 5:18–21).
17] The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he
will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in
his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
“...mighty” = gibbor, valiant warrior.
“...he will save” = yoshua, who saves, as Boaz,
‘ish gibbor hayil, the mighty man who redeemed
the land back to Naomi and took a Gentile bride in
his acts of redemption.
“...he will rest in his love”: Zephaniah is called the
prophet of love because of this verse.
193
Zeph 3:17
18] I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn
assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it
was a burden.
The burden of having her children in exile was a reproach
to the city of Jerusalem (Zech 12:10).
194
Zeph 3:18
195
Zeph 3:19 The nation will be restored
19] Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will
save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out;
and I will get them praise and fame in every land where
they have been put to shame.
During the seventy years of captivity in Babylon and during their
worldwide dispersion among the Gentiles after AD 70, devout Jews
were not able to celebrate their appointed feasts (Lv 23).
Since the destruction of the temple in AD 70, the Jewish people
have had no temple, altar, priesthood, or sacrifice (Ho 3:4–5).
The types and symbols of the Old Testament law have all been
fulfilled in Christ, including the feasts and sacrifices (Heb. 10),
Zephaniah intimates that these feasts will be restored in the
Kingdom Age,
Zechariah 14:16–21 seems to support this interpretation.
196
Zeph 3:19 The nation will be restored
19] Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I
will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven
out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land
where they have been put to shame.
Why would the Lord restore religious practices that have now
been fulfilled?
Possibly as a means of teaching Israel the meaning of the
doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The feasts described in Leviticus 23 picture “salvation history,”
from the slaying of the Passover lamb (John 1:29)
to the day of Atonement (the cleansing of Israel) and
the Feast of Tabernacles (the Kingdom Age).
19] Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and
I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was
driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every
land where they have been put to shame.
The prophet Ezekiel describes in great detail the structure and
services of a great temple in Israel (Ezek. 40 - 48),
including the offering of the Levitical sacrifices.
Just as the Old Testament types looked forward to the coming
of the Savior, perhaps during the Kingdom Age these rituals
will look back to His finished work.
Just like celebrating the “Lord’s Supper” – celebrating
communion – is a remembrance ceremony for the Church.
197
Zeph 3:19 The nation will be restored
20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I
gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among
all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity
before your eyes, saith the LORD.
God’s promise is that:
His scattered people will be gathered,
His lame people will be rescued, and
His sinful people will be forgiven and no longer bear the shame
of their wicked deeds.
“I will bring you home” is God’s gracious promise - He will keep it.
Where once the Jewish nation brought shame and disgrace to
God’s name and were poor witnesses to the Gentiles,
Then Israel will bring honor and praise to the Lord their God
and reveal to the Gentile nations the glory of His name.
Israel will receive honor from the Gentiles and give the glory
to the Lord.
198
Zeph 3:20 The nation will be restored
20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that
I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise
among all people of the earth, when I turn back your
captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
The state of Israel was “born” on May 14, 1948, but that
event, significant as it is, was not the fulfillment of God’s
promise to regather His people and restore their fortunes.
That promise will be fulfilled in the end times, after the Jews
have experienced the day of the Lord and been prepared to
see their Messiah.
Then God’s promises will be fulfilled,
God’s people Israel will be restored and bring
worldwide glory to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
199
Zeph 3:20 The nation will be restored
200
Zeph 3:20 The nation will be restored
20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I
gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among
all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity
before your eyes, saith the LORD.
There is a present-day practical lesson here for any of God’s
people who have strayed from His will and have experienced His
chastening.
When you come to Him with a broken heart, confessing your
sins, He will receive you the way a loving mother receives a
disobedient child. He will love you and even sing to you!
He will bring peace to your heart and “quiet you in His love.”
We suffer for our disobedience; and sometimes we carry the scars
of that disobedience for the rest of our lives.
But, the Lord will forgive us (1 John 1:9), cleanse us, forget our
sins, and restore us into His loving fellowship.
20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that
I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise
among all people of the earth, when I turn back your
captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
There are consequences to forgiven sin;
Though God in His grace cleanses us, God in His
government says, “You will reap what you have sown.”
After King David confessed his sin, the prophet Nathan
assured him that the Lord had put away his sin, but the rest of
his days, David suffered the tragic consequences of what he
had done (2 Sam. 12:1–15).
201
Zeph 3:20 The nation will be restored
202
Zeph 3:20 The nation will be restored
20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that
I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise
among all people of the earth, when I turn back your
captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
When God establishes His kingdom on earth, He will restore
His people, renew the land, and give His people a new
beginning that will cause them to forget their past
disobedience and focus on praising the Lord and glorifying His
name.
Jehovah is “the God of hope.”
He can fill us with “all joy and peace in believing” so
that we can “abound in hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit” (Rom. 15:13 nkjv).
Is that your experience today?
Unger highlights a seven-fold description:
1) An era of supreme and exhilarating joy (Zeph 3:14);
2) An era when the Lord’s judgments against Israel will have
been removed (Zeph 3:15a);
3) Favored with the personal presence of the Lord (Zeph 3:15b);
4) A time when Israel will not experience evil or fear (Zeph
3:15c- 17a);
5) A time when the Lord will rejoice over Israel as the special
object of His love (Zeph 3:17b);
6) Represent the gathering together of the saved remnant (Zeph
3:18);
7) Preceded by the Lord’s judgment of Israel’s oppressors and
the exaltation of the saved remnant (Zeph 3:19-20).
[Unger, Unger’s Commentary on the Old Testament,
Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1981, 2:1939-40.]
203
The Millennial Kingdom
204
ZEPHANIAH IN HIS TIME
If the Hezekiah named in Zephaniah 1:1 is King Hezekiah (715–
686), then the prophet Zephaniah was his great-great-grandson.
His name means “Jehovah hides” (i.e., “Jehovah protects”) and
describes God’s ministry of protection for His faithful people when
the day of His anger arrives (2:3).
Zephaniah’s major theme is the day of the Lord, that period of time
when God will judge the nations and usher in His righteous
kingdom.
Strictly speaking, any time of divine judgment could be called
the day of the Lord. Local judgments were but examples of the
final day of the Lord to occur in the end times.
This theme is found in almost all the prophets, but it is particularly
evident in Joel and Zephaniah. “The great day of the Lord is near”
(Zeph. 1:14 niv).
The Scriptures reveal very little about Zephaniah’s personal life.
He ministered in Judah during the time of King Josiah (640–609),
who led the nation in a religious reformation triggered by the
finding of the book of the law in the temple in the year 622 (2Ch
34:14)
Some students call this “Josiah’s revival,” but it’s doubtful
that “revival” is the best word.
Certainly the people put away their false gods and
returned to the worship of Jehovah, but their motivation
was not spiritual.
Since the king commanded them to abandon the
foreign gods, the people obeyed more from a fear of
the king than a love for the Lord.
205
ZEPHANIAH IN HIS TIME
206
ZEPHANIAH IN HIS TIME
The changes were only on the surface of the nation; the
people’s hearts were still devoted to the false gods.
No sooner was Josiah dead than the nation reverted to their
old ways.
What they experienced was a surface reformation but
not a deep revival.
It’s likely that Zephaniah preached prior to this reformation, or he
would have said something about it in his book.
Jeremiah and Zephaniah were contemporaries.
Politically, the times were in ferment.
Assyria was losing its power,
the Scythians were invading from the north, and
Babylon had become the leading empire.
King Manasseh (697–642) had led the people of Judah deeper
and deeper into idolatry and the adoption of foreign ideas and
customs, and Josiah had sought to reverse this trend.
King Josiah died on the battlefield before his work was finished,
and his successors on the throne allowed the people to return to
their sinful ways.
207
ZEPHANIAH IN HIS TIME
208
YOU IN YOUR TIME
It does us little good to learn about the times of the Minor
Prophets if we don’t do something in our own times.
Situations vary from nation to nation, but the statistics for my
own country aren’t too encouraging.
• Since 1960, the rate of births to unmarried teenagers
increased 200%.
• Since 1960, violent crime has increased by 560%.
• The fastest growing segment of the criminal population is
children. Between 1982 and 1991, the arrest rate for juvenile
murder increased 93%.
• The average child will watch up to 8,000 murders and
100,000 acts of violence on TV by the time he or she leaves
grade school.
• 8 out of 10 Americans can expect to be the victim of violent
crime at least once in their lives.
• Since 1960, teen suicides have more than tripled. It is now
the second leading cause of death among teens.
• The top problems in high schools are alcohol and drug
abuse, pregnancy, suicide, rape, and robbery.
As go the homes, churches, and schools, so goes the nation.
Statistics taken from the Index of Leading Cultural Indicators by
William J. Bennett (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1994).
209
YOU IN YOUR TIME