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