The Chapters – Quick Access
Basics
BOOK: Zephaniah
Description: Warnings to idolatrous Judah and Jerusalem and hope for the faithful ones.
Author: Zephaniah, a prophet, possible of royal family
Date written: Somewhere between 627 and 609BC
Chapters: 3
Brief Synopsis
- Zephaniah’s main theme is the coming of the day of the Lord, a day of judgment on the sins of Judah and Jerusalem.
- Yet in the midst of the nation there is always a faithful remnant and they will be saved.
Outline
- 1:1 The prophet
- 1:2,3 General judgment
- 1:4-18 God’s Judgment Coming on Judah
- 1:4-6 Condemnation of the Idolaters in Judah & Jerusalem
- 1:7-13 Judgment that will bring wailing in the city
- 1:14-18 The Day of the judgment through invasion
- 2:1-3:8 God’s Judgment Coming on the Nations
- 2:1-3 Call to Repentance
- 2:4-15 Judgment on Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush, & Assyria
- 3:1-5 Judgment on Jerusalem
- 3:6-8 Jerusalem ‘s Refusal to Repent
- 3:9-20 Yet Redemption of the Remnant
- 3:9-13 A Remnant will be purified and restored
- 3:14-17 Rejoicing in the City
- 3:18-20 The Nation Restored
Concluding Comments
- At first sight this seems a short book of condemnation but of course the role of the prophet was to face the nation with its shortcomings (idolatry) and warn that if not dealt with the Law had warned that God would bring disciplinary judgment on them.
- It looks, initially at least, as if the judgment is a foregone conclusion, but there will be a faithful remnant in the midst of the unfaithful nation, and that remnant will be saved.
- Understand that wherever there is warning of judgment there is always hope provided for the faithful remnant, for the Lord always looks to preserve His faithful ones.