ZEPHANIAH & HAGGAI DAY 1: BACKGROUND OF ZEPHANIAH & CHAPTER 1 Zephaniah doesn’t waste any time communicating his message to Judah. As you’ll see by looking at some of the historical background, Zephaniah needed to rattle his countrymen’s nerves of a soon coming day of judgment. However, what he speaks is an excellent example of double prophecy – a near and a distant fulfillment. Zephaniah & Date of Book Unlike most other prophets, Zephaniah provides a detailed family tree, identifying his relation to Hezekiah. There is debate as to whether or not the Hezekiah mentioned is indeed the past king of Judah, but if it is, then a few interesting inferences may be made. 1. Zephaniah is connecting himself with godliness since Hezekiah and Josiah are both named as kings. 2. He is identifying himself as a Judean and not Ethiopian, since that was a common name. 3. He is relating himself to the same royal family he criticizes. Continuing with the assumption that Zephaniah is royal blood, his name translated “Yahweh has hidden” may bear additional impact based on the fact that he likely was born during the reign of King Manasseh, one of Judah’s most evil kings. Because of the content of Zephaniah’s message, it is clear to see that he is speaking against the evils occurring during Manasseh’s reign. Yet because he specifically mentions in the opening verse King Josiah, many assume that Zephaniah is preaching prior to Josiah’s national reforms in 622 B.C. An additional prophecy describing the fall of Nineveh helps us date the book to somewhere between 650-620 B.C. HistoriCal BaCkground As mentioned earlier, King Manasseh had a terrible influence on Judah, reversing nearly everything his father, Hezekiah, had accomplished. Though, there was an interesting turn at the end of Manasseh’s life. Take a moment to read about King Manasseh and his successor, Amon, paying special attention to some of the things they did, as they will reappear in Zephaniah’s words. 2 Kings 21:1-26 2 ChroniCles 33:1-25 Following Manasseh and Amon was King Josiah, who around age 16 began to seek the Lord. Under the godly influence of the high priest Hilkiah, and possibly Zephaniah, Josiah enacts national reforms and sets about to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It is plausible that Zephaniah’s words helped pave the way for Josiah’s actions, a reformation similar to their ancestor Hezekiah. “Clearly Zephaniah’s role under God was to reapply earlier truths sadly forgotten by his own generation. Zephaniah was able to foresee God’s judgment of Judah and the world. But he also proclaimed permanent truths concerning the nature of God and his providential relationship to the world and concerning the responsibilities of the people of God.” -- Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible The Day of the Lord Outflow of Judgment This book has as its central message the coming “day of the Lord,” with judgment upon Judah and foreign nations, and promises of salvation. It is of For it is time for judgment to note that Zephaniah’s message of judgment begins with Judah, the remainder begin with the household of of God’s chosen people in the Promised Land, expands outward to others and God; and if it begins with us ends with the promising hope of salvation and restoration of God’s people. first, what will be the outcome Keeping in mind God’s purposes in judgment: 1) purification of His people and for those who do not obey the 2) punishment of His enemies – this book has concise descriptions of both, gospel of God? and it is worth paying attention to the descriptors of each. -- 1 Peter 4:17 CHAPTER 1 As you read Chapter 1, please do the following: • Mark the words “Lord/God/His”, “I will,” “day of the Lord”, and “punish.” Be sure to mark all synonyms and pronouns. • Mark all references and symbols of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. • List the “I/He will” statements. • List the characteristics of the “day of the Lord. Today’s Devotional Thought Are you green and Is your life stagnant? What about your heart? Zephaniah 1:12 should motivate growing or ripe and us all to be as far from stagnant as possible! Sometimes our stagnation, or rotting? complacency, comes from security in things outside of God. We feel safe, so -- Ray Kroc there’s less need to seek God. Or we don’t believe the Lord really sees what we say and do, so then it doesn’t really matter. Or perhaps we’re living in the “glory days” of our spiritual past, but there’s nothing new now. Evaluate your life. Are you in the realm of complacency or apathy toward God? What steps can you take to change, so you can experience the fresh, living water of Christ each and every day, and avoid stagnation of spirit? DAY TWO: CHAPTER 2 Zephaniah 2:1-3 is what I believe to be a continuation of chapter 1, but could also be a call to all nations to seek the Lord. I’ll let you make your own decision. ☺ From verse 4 through the end of the chapter, surrounding nations are clearly the focus of judgment. As you read through Chapter 2, please do the following: “Gather yourselves together, yes, • Mark the words “nation,” “I will,” “Lord,” “day of the gather; O nation without shame.” Lord,” and “remnant.” -- Zephaniah 2:1 • Mark all references, symbols, types, etc. of Jesus and the This verse is so packed with powerful Holy Spirit. description, that it begs some elaboration. “gather yourselves” – As in ‘assemble • List the “I will” statements. together,’ ‘enter into yourselves,’ ‘bow down,’ ‘come to your senses,’ or ‘think about the evil things you have done and repent’ “nation” – Hebrew word normally referring • List the various desCriptors of the remnant. to non-Jewish nations. Therefore, if this is referring specifically to Judah, then the nation is being referred to as no different than heathen nations. “without shame” – ‘having reason to be ashamed, but failing to show shame,’ or • In your opinion, does the Lord seem more upset with ‘you people who will not admit your evil Judah or with the unbelieving nations? Why? What deeds’ can you learn from this? An alternative paraphrase: “Come to your senses, heathen nation, you people who will not admit your evil deeds. Think about the evil things you have done and repent!” -- Translations taken from “A Handbook on the Book of Zephaniah” • What do you notice to be the major sins of the surrounding nations? Why is the Lord so bothered by these things? Today’s Devotional Thought Zephaniah 2:15 includes the phrase, “Who says in her heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me.’” Every person on earth at least once in his or her life has said this. It is the basis of so much of our sin! “I am, therefore…” Yet there is only one I AM and there is no one beside Him! How quickly we forget as we climb up onto His throne and take things into our own hands, as if we were God Himself. LORD, FORGIVE US! Let us be mindful of this every single day to remember that though we are children of God, we are to be servants first…which means there are many besides me. DAY 3: CHAPTER 3 Ahhhh, sweet hope of salvation arrives at last! Though this chapter focuses again on why Judah is being judged, it ends with a more joyful description of “that day,” a day in which Judah and Israel are restored, His purified church is alive and at peace with her Savior. Where “the day of the Lord” brings terror and judgment, the future “day” of eternal rest and peace should cause us to rejoice! And, if Google Images were any indicator of the most popular verse in Zephaniah set to artwork, it would be this: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” -- Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) Seriously, “Google it” and be amazed! As you read Chapter 3, please do the following: • Mark the words “woe,” “I/He will,” “Lord,” “in that day.” Make sure to mark all pronouns and synonyms. • Mark all references, symbols and foreshadowing of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. • List Judah’s sins. Zephaniah 3:9-13 • List the “I will” statements. The sin of pride is most often revealed by the words that we speak. Language becomes unclean with repeated expressions of self-will or the profane use of God’s name. Purify your heart, and your speech will be pure also. Allow God to purify your lips and your language. • DesCribe “that day.” -- Spirit-Filled Life Bible: Truth in Action through Zephaniah (Continued on next page) DAY 3 (CONTINUED) • Zephaniah 3:9-13 describes what benefits await the faithful remnant after His purifying flame of judgment. But these verses are also an invitation to evaluate our own lives and determine how the Lord is applying His purifying flame to us now for our personal and spiritual growth. In the table below, write how you can cooperate further with the Lord in each area. Benefit How I Can Grow More Pure language Offerings Humility Trust & Freedom from shame Righteousness Truth • Hebrews 11:31 says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” What does this mean to you in light of what Zephaniah says? How does this compare with the picture he paints at the end of the book? Today’s Devotional Thought For years I used to wonder what it would be like for the Lord to sing over me.