Historical Background
One hundred years before Zephaniah prophesied, the northern kingdom of Israel had fallen to a foreign power because of its sin and idolatry. Zephaniah sensed the same thing was about to happen to the southern kingdom of Judah — and for the exact same reason. Under the leadership of two evil kings (Manasseh and Amon), the people of Judah had fallen into the worship of false gods.
The book of Zephaniah was written during the reign of King Josiah, a good king who “did right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 22:2). Although no exact date is given for the book, we know that Josiah reigned from approximately 640 to 609 B.C., and many scholars believe that the text supports the theory that Zephaniah prophesied before the reforms Josiah made sometime between 622 and 621 B.C. This is when Josiah discovered the book of the law and became distressed by his nation’s disobedience. God saw Josiah’s distress and promised him that He would “gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, neither shall your eyes see all the evil which I will bring in this place” (2 Kings 22:20).
Josiah made a covenant to walk after the Lord and to keep His commandments. The people of Judah entered into the covenant and Josiah oversaw the burning of false idols, the explusion of idolatrous priests, and the destruction of the prostitutes’ houses. He ordered mediums and spiritists removed and the Passover was celebrated once again (2 Kings 22-23). 2 Kings 23:25 gives a beautiful epithet for Josiah: “And before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.”
BUT….
“The Lord did not turn away from the fierceness of His great wrath with which His anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him“ (2 Kings 23:26). The Lord avowed that He would “remove Judah also from My sight, as I have removed Israel. And I will cast off Jerusalem…” (2 Kings 23:27).
Despite the brief religious renewal under Josiah’s godly leadership, paganism and false worship persisted and carried Judah toward certain destruction. Judgment came in 587 B.C. when the Babylonians invaded and destroyed the city of Jerusalem and carried its citizens into captivity in Babylon.
Zephaniah prophesies about God’s judgment on Judah, portraying Him as a God of holiness who demands holiness and righteousness in His people. But the Lord also is merciful and faithful to His promises, and Zephaniah’s fiery oracle ends with a blessing and hope.
Synopsis
Zephaniah begins with a statement of God’s coming judgment upon all creatures on earth because of the sins of men (1:2, 3) before concentrating on the judgment of Judah (1:4-18). Judah would be judged for being polluted with idolatrous priests who promote the worship of Baal and nature. Judah also would be judged because of her corrupt princes and officials.
Zephaniah warns that the “great day of the Lord” is “near and coming very quickly” (1:14). He goes on to provide a terrifying description of the day of the Lord:
That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. In the fire of His jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for He will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth. (Zeph. 1:15-18).
Chapter 2 begins with an appeal from God to His people, urging them to repent and humble themselves to avert the coming disaster before it is too late (2:1-3). Zephaniah pronounces the judgment God will enact upon the nations surrounding Judah: Philistia (west), Moab and Ammon (east), Ethiopia (south), and Assyria (north) (2:4-15). He then focues on Jerusalem, “the exultant city” and the center of God’s dealings, but which has become spiritually rebellious and morally bankrupt (2:15 - 3:7).
After a broad statement on the judgment of all nations (3:8), the tone of Zephaniah changes to one of promise and hope. While judgment is part of the day of the Lord, so too is blessing. Judah will be cleansed and will call on the name of the Lord (3:9-10). The remnant of Israel will be regathered, redeemed and restored (3:11-20). The Lord’s people will rejoice in their Redeemer, who will restore their forturnes (3:20) and “turn their shame into praise and renown” (3:19).
Relevance
While Zephaniah prophesied about the impending judgment on Judah, His description of “the day of the Lord” is very similar to those used by other prophets and apostles to describe the judgment that will come upon the earth when Christ returns. Ecclesiastes 12:14 tells us “for God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” For some, the day of the Lord’s judgment will spell doom. But being a merciful God, He desires all to know Him and be saved from this fate.
In his second epistle, Peter stresses the importance of repentance and instructs believers to anticipate the coming day of the Lord:
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blamless and at peace with Him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…. (2 Peter 2:7-15).
Food for Thought
Am I living in anticipation of God’s judgment, being diligent to be found in peace, spotless and blameless?
Do I need to be a Zephaniah in this world, speaking truth about God and warning people of the coming judgment, urging them to put their faith in Christ whom “God did not send…into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him?” (John 3:17)
Sarah - thank you so much for this lesson. The background that you shared about the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel fits perfectly with what was taught at The Story this past Monday!
Leslie
May 24th, 2006
Yeah, Sarah– wanna come teach The Story next Monday night? Although I think your thought-full-ness would necessitate more than 3 days! Your treatment here of Zephaniah was much better than mine.
This is great stuff!
Heather Z
May 24th, 2006
Hmm…Monday is Memorial Day so I think I am going to politely decline.
Incidentally, Heather, trying to get through the entire Bible in three weeks obviously means you have to cut out some of the details. I have heard nothing but raves about The Story! (wishing now that I would have joined all of you…)
Sarah O.
May 24th, 2006
Wow Sarah this is fantastic. I have this mental image that you just knocked this out in less than an hour. It just flows so well. Amazing. Thanks.
heidiscanlon
May 24th, 2006
Heidi, thank you for your encouragement!
Sarah O.
May 25th, 2006