BACKGROUND
Introduction to Zephaniah
2 Chr. 34-35: 640-609 (2 Kings 21-23)
636-623: ZEPHANIAH 1-3
627-574: JEREMIAH 1-52
574-538: LAMENTATIONS 1-5
621-609: HABAKKUK 1-3
Zephaniah was the great-great-grandson of King Hezekiah. He prophesied during the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC). Some commentators believe that Josiah's reforms were a result of Zephaniah's prophecy of coming judgment while others believe it occurred after Josiah's revival that began in 622 B.C. Zephaniah was a contemporary of Jeremiah.
During this time, Josiah was extending his influence as far north as Naphtali, and Judah was prospering politically. Assyria had carried off the northern tribes of Israel in 722 B.C., but this great superpower was declining rapidly. Eventually, a coalition of Medes and Babylonians destroyed Nineveh (the capital of Assyria) in 612 B.C.
The main message of Zephaniah is that a "day" (repeated 15 times) is coming when God will judge the nations severely. Despite half-hearted attempts at renewal, Judah had no sorrow for her sins. This prophecy of fiery judgment was meant to shake Judah out of her complacency so that she might return to God.
Zephaniah 1
In this initial chapter, Zephaniah gives a very stern warning of doom that is filled with terror. He indicated that Judah's wickedness would be destroyed when the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Many prophets refer to the "day of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6, 9; Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14; Amos 5:18, 20; Obadiah 15; Zechariah 14:1; Malachi 4:5). This is a day of universal judgment on the whole world (Isaiah 24).
No REFLECTION and APPLICATION today. Just keep reading!
PRAYER
Lord, open our hearts to hear the message You have for us from Zephaniah. Thank You that a descendant of a king chose to become Your humble servant, carrying Your message to a sinful generation. Help us to be Your humble servants too. We ask this in the name of that humble servant. Amen.
1 comment:
I want to be alert and not complacent.
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