Study of the Minor Prophet Zephaniah - given at Laindon Christadelphian Bible Class

1. Laindon Bible Study, 23rd December 2015
Minor prophets and
their message
2 - of - 2

2. A highly relevant prophecy in allages!
Zephaniah's message (2) 2
Near future
c. 40 years
Day of Judgement/
the LORD  Babylon
Distant future
>2,600 years
Day of Judgement/
the LORD  End Time
Zephaniah

3. Our first study
Zephaniah's message (2) 3
Background, key theme
& key exhortation
Prophet
His times
His contemporaries
Book overview

4. A précis of our first study
Part
one
Silence
then
crisis! Good
King
Josiah
Family
relations
“Day of
the
LORD”Comfort
and
warning
‘Yah has
hidden’
Josiah
spared
wrath
Judge
and
saviour
Zephaniah's message (2) 4

5. Today’s second study
Zephaniah's message (2) 5
Further exposition
& exhortation
3 chapters; 53 verses;
1,617 words
Relevance in 7th c. BC
Relevance in 21st c. AD

6. The key divisions withinthe prophecy
Zephaniah's message (2) 6
Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration

7. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Introduction
• Only explanation for four generations = royal connection (Z. = a prince)
• Different names (Br-Dr-Br Lexicon):
– Cushi = their blackness
– Gedaliah = Yah(weh) is great
– Amariah = Yah(weh) speaks/has promised
– Hezekiah = Yah(weh) is my strength
– Zephaniah = Yah(weh) has treasured
Zephaniah's message (2) 7
Zephaniah1 v1
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 day of judgement
The LORD is great
He has promised
To be my strength
And to treasure/hide me

8. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Judgementon Judah
• Words must have pre-dated Josiah’s reforms (cp. 2 Kings 23 v 4>)
• Clear description of three failings (or groups of people):
• Compare teaching of the NT and today’s world!
Zephaniah's message (2) 8
Zephaniah1 v4-6
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 [‘lord’, god of the Phoenicians/Canaanites] from this place,
and the name of the Chemarims [NKJV, ESV: ‘idolatrous priests’] with the priests; 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 [‘great king’, god of the Ammonites]; 6 And them that
are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor inquired for him.
Openly idolatrous Mixed allegiances Without God at all

9. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Judgementon Judah
• Respectful silence before the Great and Mighty Yahweh
• Sanctified guests (i.e. Babylon cp. Isaiah 13 v 3) are invited to the
sacrifice/feast, cp. Supper of the great God in Revelation 19 v 17-18
• “Princes” “King’s children” relevance to both Zephaniah/Josiah
• Following verses describe failures (1 v 9), punishment (1 v 10-18),
but still with God-given opportunity to change direction (2 v 1-3)
Zephaniah's message (2) 9
Zephaniah1 v7-8
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 [consecrated, sanctified] his guests. 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.

10. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Judgementon surrounding nations
Zephaniah's message (2) 10
Zephaniah2 v4-5
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. 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.
Zephaniah 2v 8
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.
Zephaniah2 v13
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.

11. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Judgementon surrounding nations
• For what wrongdoings were the surrounding nations judged?
• 2 v 8-10: Moab and Ammon, spared by God (Deut. 2 v 9/19), yet:
– Reproached God’s people/sanctuary & blasphemed (Ezekiel 25 v 2-11)
• 2 v 13-15: Assyria, an instrument in God’s hand, yet:
– Became exalted in pride (Ezekiel 31 v 3-17 esp. v. 10-11 & Isaiah 10 v 12-15)
Zephaniah's message (2) 11
Pride and vanity Ill treatment of God’s people
“This shall they have for their pride” (2 v 10) “they have reproached my people, and magnified
themselves against their border.” (2 v 8)
“This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that
said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside
me” (2 v 15)
“they have reproached and magnified themselves
against the people of the Lord of hosts” (2 v 10)

12. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Judgementon Jerusalem
• Greater responsibility due to detailed knowledge of God’s ways and
requirements (cp. Luke 12 v 48)
• Four key failings (verse 2):
Zephaniah's message (2) 12
Zephaniah3 v1-4
1 Woe to her that is filthy [NKJV, ESV: ‘rebellious’] and polluted, to the oppressing city! 2 She
obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not
near to her God. 3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves;
they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. 4 Her prophets are light [Str. ‘to bubble up or froth’]
and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to
the law.
Did not obey God Did not receive correction Did not trust God Did not draw near God

13. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Judgementon nationsand kingdoms
• Two key words, “assemble” and “gather”… compare combined use
in End Time prophecies within:
– Ezekiel 39 v 17 “assemble yourselves… gather yourselves”
– Joel 3 v 9-14 “assemble yourselves… gather yourselves”
• Completeness of God’s fiery judgement is demonstrated upon
“nations… kingdoms… earth” (cp. 2 Peter 3 v 10)
Zephaniah's message (2) 13
Zephaniah3 v8
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.

14. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Salvation and conversion
• Origin of mixed languages was human pride (building of Babel) and
an attempt to go against God’s will (i.e. not replenishing the earth)
• Afflicted and poor people cp. those left to tend the land by Babylon
(Jeremiah 39 v 9-10) and the saints in prospect (Isaiah 66 v 2)
Zephaniah's message (2) 14
Zephaniah 3v 9, 11-12
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… 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. 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 .

15. Judgement Salvation
1 v 1 Introduction
1 v 2 – 2 v 3 On Judah
2 v 4-15 On nations surrounding Judah
3 v 1-7 On Jerusalem
3 v 8 On nations and kingdoms
3 v 9-13
Conversion
3 v 14-20
Restoration
Salvation and restoration
• Much is in the ‘prophetic perfect’ tense (i.e. as if already done), e.g.
“hath cast out thine enemy” “shalt not see evil any more”
• God’s ‘emotions’ expressed “joy… rejoice” cp. angels: Luke 15 v 7/10
• “In the midst” an important concept, appearing 4 times in chapter
Zephaniah's message (2) 15
Zephaniah3 v14-17
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter
of Jerusalem. 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. 16 In that
day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 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.

16. Further exhortations fromZephaniah
“Neither
their silver
nor their gold
shall be able
to deliver
them” 1 v 18
“The LORD
will not do
good…
neither…
evil” 1 v 12
“Seek ye
the Lord,
all ye meek
of the
earth” 2 v 3
“I will save
her that
halteth”
3 v 19
Zephaniah's message (2) 16

17. Is God indifferent/ impotent?
• A fundamental misunderstanding of God, very much evident in
today’s world (e.g. in the so-called Problem of Evil debate)
• What this does not take account of is timescales in God’s purpose
• We must not slip into the mind-set of “Where is the promise of his
coming?” (2 Peter 3 v 4)
• Parallels between Zephaniah’s time & Laodicean age (Rev. 3 v 14>)
Zephaniah's message (2) 17
Zephaniah1 v12
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.

18. Material dangers!
• A false belief that benefits in the present outweigh future ones
• For what was Noah’s generation condemned by Jesus? Distractions!
• Treasure on earth vs. treasure in heaven (Matthew 6 v 19-21)
Zephaniah's message (2) 18
Zephaniah1 v18
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.
Matthew 24v 37-38
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the
days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

19. Meek ≠ Weak
• A much undervalued/misunderstood quality in today’s world
• Meekness ultimately has to do with being teachable and
conforming to God’s ways
• We can learn much from the meekest/lowliest man who has ever
lived, our Lord Jesus Christ (see Matthew 11 v 29)
Zephaniah's message (2) 19
Zephaniah2 v3
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.
Psalm 25v 9
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

20. A true reversal of fortunes
• For there to be a reversal, we have to accept the littleness of today
• With the benefits of hindsight, much that seems unpalatable today
will be seen to be wholly justified (and to our ultimate benefit)
Zephaniah's message (2) 20
Zephaniah3 v19
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.
2 Corinthians 4 v 17
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory;

21. Conclusion of study 2
• As we said in our opening remarks last week, not a book directly
quoted in NT but with themes and teaching that are so current
• There are many repeating patterns in God’s dealings with
humankind, such as:
– Freewill but with personal responsibility
– Opportunity but with consequences
– Salvation but following judgement
Zephaniah's message (2) 21
Malachi 3 v17
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day [thirty nine out of one hundred
and fifteen appearances of this phrase are in minor prophets] when I make up my jewels; and
I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

22. A final thought…
Zephaniah's message (2) 22