Zephaniah 1:2–3 – Prologue: Double Announcement Of Total Judgment
Zephaniah 1:4–18 – The Day Of The Lord Coming On Judah And The Nations
Zephaniah 2:1–3:8 – God’s Judgment On The Nations
Zephaniah 2:8–11 – Judgment On Moab And Ammon
Zephaniah 2:12 – Judgment On Cush
Zephaniah 2:13–15 – Judgment On Assyria
Zephaniah 3:1–5 – Judgment On Jerusalem
Zephaniah 3:6–8 – Jerusalem’s Refusal To Repent
Zephaniah 3:9–20 – Redemption Of The Remnant
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Zephaniah, a prophet with royal lineage (son of Hezekiah) prophesies after Micah and before Jeremiah to the southern kingdom, long after the Assyrian’s swept the northern kingdom away. He speaks during Josiah’s reign, and from the looks of it, during the time that Josiah was inspired to worship the Lord properly. It was Josiah that had the Book of Law read aloud and celebrate the Passover like no other (2 Chronicles 35:18).
Zephaniah warns the people that the Lord will not tolerate indifference:
In our time of political correctness, we should listen to these words carefully, trying to walk the gray line between right and wrong will lead to destruction. That may sound a bit strong and overly aggressive, but listen to the Lord through his prophets, the message is consistent.
Interesting that there are more references to Nineveh here…perhaps I need to do more research into this significant city that is referred to by the prophets as an infamous city that was to be utterly destroyed, “…and destroy Assyria, leaving Nineveh utterly desolate and dry as the desert…the city of revelry that lived in safety…what a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts! All who pass by her scoff and shake their fists.” (2:13-15).
Jerusalem has become a city of shame as well, “Her prophets are unprincipled; they are treacherous people. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law…Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he doesn’t not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame” (3:4,5).
The story is predictable, but not insignificant, I pray I won’t be lulled into a sense of security by the common theme. Jerusalem, the Remnant will rise again–because it is the Lord’s will. “Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord. (3:11-12)
For this morning, my key insight comes from 1:12, the lukewarm people of Zephaniah’s day remind me of the frozen-chosen of this day. Not that we should be arrogant or outrageous, but we should not be so meek that the word of the Lord is lost.