Zephaniah: God's Hidden Treasure


  1. A Look at the Book:
    1. Author:
      1. Zephaniah, the son of Cushi (1:1)
      2. A descendant of good King Hezekiah (1:1)
      3. Probably a resident of Jerusalem (cf 1:4-6; 3:1)
    2. Date:
      1. During the reign of good King Josiah (1:1) @ 640 - 609 B.C.
      2. Prior to the destruction of Nineveh (2:13) @ 612 B.C.
    3. Setting:
      1. Jerusalem is in the midst of Josiah's reforms following the wicked reigns of Manasseh and Ammon (2 Kings 21)
      2. The Chaldeans (Babylonians) are ascending to world power, will soon defeat the Assyrians and Egyptians (2 Ki 24:7)
    4. Theme: God's wrath against Jerusalem
    5. Key Phrase -- "The Day of the Lord"


  2. Great Lessons from Zephaniah
    1. The "Day of the Lord" will come upon all nations. This is illustrated by the condemnations of:
      1. Judah & Jerusalem (1:4);
      2. Philistia (2:4-7);
      3. Moab and Ammon (2:8-11);
      4. Ethiopia (2:12);
      5. Assyria (2:13-15)
    2. The Judgment should strike terror into the hearts of men:
      1. "The day of the Lord is at hand" (1:7) and God will make of men a sacrifice (1:7-8).
      2. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
      3. Acts 17:30-31
    3. Changing habits doesn't change hearts -- Josiah's reforms were sweeping and complete (2 Ki 23; 2 Chr 34), but the heart of Israel was still wicked:
      1. There is no mention of Josiah's reforms in the book
      2. Note the condemnation of Israel's refusal to receive correction/ instruction (3:1-4).
        1. this may be b/c Josiah's reforms were not yet implemented (they came in the 18th year of his reign - 2 Ki 22:3)
        2. if this is the case, then 3:1-4 may be a reference to the prophets sent before and the example of Israel's destruction for her unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 3:6-10).
      3. Perhaps this is the reason why God's kingdom is not furthered through military force:
        1. Jeremiah 31:34
        2. Matthew 28:19-20
    4. God must be obeyed and His judgment is sure -- 3:2-5
      1. The sins of Judah:
        1. she obeyed not God's voice given through His prophets (cf Matthew 23:37-38)
        2. she did not receive instruction (cf Proverbs 1:1-9)
        3. she trusted not in the Lord (cf Proverbs 3:5-6)
        4. she did not draw near to her God (cf James 4:8)
      2. The sins of the leaders:
        1. her princes were roaring lions (devourers)
        2. her judges could not be trusted (unrighteous)
        3. her prophets were without conviction or concern for the souls of the people
        4. her priests polluted the temple (idolatry) and perverted (did violence) to the law.
      3. God's integrity must be satisfied by passing judgment upon all.
    5. God's salvation will come and save the remnant, deliver the captive, and give cause for praise -- 3:14-20