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lesson 34 ZEPHANIAH I. BACKGROUND 1. Author - Zephaniah the prophet: 1:1 2. Date - The book was written during the reign of Josiah, 640 - 609 B.C.; most likely before 621 when the great restoration of Josiah began: 1:1 3. Theme - Judah had been as idolatrous as the surrounding nations since Amon, Josiah's father, had restored the high places, carved and molten images, idolatrous priests and altars of the pagan gods. When Joseah became king, he sought the Lord, began to purge idolatry, cleansed the Temple, found the Law, and renewed Israel's covenant with the Lord. II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK 1. Key Verses: 1:2-4; 2:11; 3:8; 3:9; 11:17 2. Theme: The day of the Lord, God's judgment, is inevitable and at hand for Judah and the surrounding nations. A few will avoid it and later be exalted. 1) Judah will face it because: a. She is unfaithful to God: 3:1-2 b. She is worshipping God and idols: 1:5 c. She had defiled God's temple: 1:9 d. Her leaders led her astray: 1:9; 3:3-4 2) Judah will face it because: a. She is unfaithful to God: 3:1-2 b. She is worshipping God and idols: 1:5 c. She had defiled God's temple: 1:9 d. Her leaders led her astray: 1:9; 3:3-4 3) The nations will face it because of their relationship with God: 2:10-11; 15; and with Judah: 2:8 4) A few will be blessed: a. If they ...: 2:3 b. By God in many ways: 3:8-21 III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH 1. The King: 3:15 2. The Great Physician: 3:19 IV. APPLICATIONS - LESSONS 1. God may be slow to punish, but He does; even His own children 2. You cannot worship God and other gods at the same time 3. The leaders must be especially careful how they lead: 1:4-9; 1:13; 3:1-4 4. The followers must be careful who they follow, because the wisdom of men is foolish unless guided by God: 3:1-4 5. God will deliver the humble, obedient, and righteous, and will exalt them as well: 2:3; 3:12 6. The righteous may suffer temporarily because of the sin and judgment on the unrighteous, but they will be blessed in the end: 2:3 ZEPHANIAH QUESTIONS 1. What sins were God's own people guilty of? 2. Who was guilty of them? 3. What is the solution to such sin among God's people? 4. Is there any hope for Judah? What in the text makes you think so? 5. How is Zephaniah 1 and 2 similar to Romans 1 and 2? 6. How would prophecy of judgment on the nations be encouraging? 7. List some of the things that should be encouraging in chapter 3. 8. Why are they encouraging? 9. Who will be with the remnant of Israel? 10. Who should all of this affect our lives? Why? |