Zephaniah

Zephaniah

Finding the Context:

The book of Zephaniah was written to the people of Judah (1:4,12; 3:1). It was written around the time of Josiah’s reign when the book of the law was discovered after having been lost for years (1:1). This was supposedly a time of reformation but we know from the book of Jeremiah that it was merely a surface level turning. The prophet Zephaniah wrote this book. He was a prince seeing as he was related to Hezekiah (1:1). Because of this he would have had easy access to influential people in the country. Zephaniah was written because the people of Judah were practicing idol worship and were characterized by pride (1:4-6,8,9; 3:1,2, 11,12). You also see that the priests and leaders of the country were had become corrupted (1:8,9; 3:3,4). You see the words “Day of the Lord” or words speaking of the day of His judgment repeated (1:7;14,15; 2:2; 3:11,16,20). The main theme of the book can be found in 2:3 where God calls His people to humble themselves in hopes that He might deliver them.

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

God is revealed as someone who is good despite the actions of His followers. He is not characterized by who His people are. 3:3-5 states that even though the priests and prophets are wicked, yet God still does no wrong. He continues to be just and unfailing despite the fact that the people who represent Him don’t walk in the ways that He asks them to.

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

You see God’s redemption expressed in 3:9-20. God says that a day will come where He will purify His people. He says that He will live among them (15,17). He reveals His great love for His people in the passage and promises in verse 20 to eventually bring them home and give them a good name among the nations. He also promises that He will restore their fortunes.