Highlights from the Books of Zephaniah & Haggai Treasures from God’s Word WT Library References Index Index Source Material ............................................................................... 5 Special Note .............................................................................................. 5 An Introduction to the Book of Zephaniah ................................... 6 Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Zephaniah ................ 7 Jehovah’s day of judgment is near ......................................................... 7 Punishment for Judah’s neighbors and more distant Ethiopia and Assyria ....................................................................................................... 7 Jerusalem’s rebellion and corruption ..................................................... 7 The outpouring of Jehovah’s anger and the restoration of a remnant . 7 Zephaniah – Outline of Contents .................................................. 8 Why Beneficial ................................................................................ 8 An Introduction to the Book of Haggai ....................................... 10 Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Haggai .................... 11 Message to people living in paneled houses, while Jehovah’s house lies in ruins .............................................................................................. 11 Proclamation that Jehovah will fill his house with glory ..................... 11 People are shown that neglect of temple rebuilding has made them and all their work unclean before God .................................................. 11 Message to Zerubbabel about Jehovah’s rocking heavens and earth 11 Haggai Outline of Contents ......................................................... 12 Why Beneficial .............................................................................. 12 Treasures from God’s Word ........................................................ 14 WT Library Highlights .................................................................. 15 Index Treasures from God’s Word Zephaniah 1 - Haggai 2 Seek Jehovah Begore His Day of Anger ........................................................................................................ 14 Index WT Library Reference Zephaniah ...................................................................................... 15 Chapters 1-3 .................................................................................. 15 Haggai ............................................................................................ 83 Chapters 1-2 .................................................................................. 83 Index Highlights from the Books of Zephaniah & Haggai - Treasures from God's Word Source Material This material has been sourced from the updated 2016 Watchtower Library compact disk. Scriptures Included. Only verses that are explained in some way are included in the Scripture Index. Hence, if the material explains the meaning of the text, gives its background, tells why the text was written, or clarifies an original-language word and its implications, the text would be indexed, since the verse or part of it is explained. Scriptures that are used as proof texts but that are not explained are omitted. For example, Ezekiel 18:4 may be used merely to show that the soul dies. In this instance, the scripture would not be indexed, since no explanation of the text is given. Additional personal research is encouraged. Special Note Occasionally you will notice that in the Treasures from God’s Word section of our Meeting Workbook that references will appear that are not included in the Watchtower Library disk or on www.wol.jw.org when searching a particular scripture reference. Index Highlights from the Books of Zephaniah & Haggai - Treasures from God's Word An Introduction to the Book of Zephaniah Zephaniah was a prophet of Jehovah in Judah, and he wrote the book bearing his name. He prophesied early in the reign of faithful King Josiah. He completed his book before the year 648 B.C.E., some years before Nahum and Habakkuk wrote their books, and over 40 years before the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. The book of Zephaniah contains three chapters. Chapter 1 warns the people of Judah that Jehovah's day of judgment is approaching quickly. The people are focusing on material wealth, worshiping false gods, and assuming that Jehovah will not intervene in their affairs. In Chapter 2 the people are urged to seek Jehovah. They should trust in God and live by his righteous standards. Did you know? Zephaniah’s efforts bore fruit. Young King Josiah carried out a campaign against false worship to rid the nation of idolatry, and to restore true worship at the temple. Chapter 2 conveys a message of doom against the surrounding nations of Philistia, Ammon, Moab, Ethiopia and Assyria. In Chapter 3 Jerusalem's proud inhabitants continue to disobey Jehovah, despite his warning. Although Jehovah promises to remove the haughty ones, he offers hope, and joy, to humble repentant ones. As you read the book of Zephaniah note how we should guard against thinking that Jehovah's Day will not arrive; how those who seek Jehovah will be saved; and how Jehovah gathers humble ones to be subjects of his Kingdom. Index Highlights from the Books of Zephaniah & Haggai - Treasures from God's Word Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Zephaniah Messages of divine judgment against Judah and Jerusalem, as well as against other nations; also an announcement of restoration for Jerusalem Written by Zephaniah early in Josiah’s reign, before the reforms that he began in about 648 B.C.E. Jehovah’s day of judgment is near Jehovah will finish everything off the surface of the ground All in Judah and Jerusalem who practice idolatry, who swear to Jehovah as well as by a false god, who draw back from serving Jehovah, or who have not sought him will be cut off Princes, violent ones, deceivers, will be among those sought out for attention; all who feel that Jehovah will not act for good or for bad will see their wealth and property come to nothing Jehovah’s day is coming, a day of fury; neither silver nor gold to provide escape Meek ones of the earth should seek Jehovah as well as meekness and righteousness; then, probably, they will be concealed in the day of his anger Punishment for Judah’s neighbors and more distant Ethiopia and Assyria The Philistines will be destroyed; Moab will become desolate like Sodom, and Ammon will be like Gomorrah for reproaching Jehovah’s people Ethiopians will fall by the sword; Assyria will be destroyed; Nineveh will be devastated, with wild animals taking possession of its ruins Jerusalem’s rebellion and corruption The oppressive city, Jerusalem, is also marked for judgment; she did not trust Jehovah and draw near to him; her princes, judges, prophets, and priests all acted corruptly instead of using their influence for good The people did not fear Jehovah and change their ways even after witnessing his judgment on other nations The outpouring of Jehovah’s anger and the restoration of a remnant Jehovah’s anger will be poured out on nations and kingdoms Peoples will be given a pure language so as to call on Jehovah’s name and serve him shoulder to shoulder Only the humble and lowly will remain among God’s people Israel and enjoy security under His protection All those responsible for afflicting Israel will be punished; the regathered remnant will be made “a praise among all the peoples of the earth” Index Highlights from the Books of Zephaniah & Haggai - Treasures from God's Word Zephaniah – Outline of Contents This book of the Hebrew Scriptures contains the word of Jehovah by means of his prophet Zephaniah. It was in the days of Judean King Josiah (659-629 B.C.E.) that Zephaniah carried on his prophetic work. (Zep 1:1) In the 12th year of Josiah’s reign, he being about 20 years of age, the king began an extensive campaign against idolatry, and from the 18th year of his rule until its conclusion, his subjects “did not turn aside from following Jehovah.” (2Ch 34:3-8, 33) Therefore, since the book of Zephaniah mentions the presence of foreign-god priests and the worship of Baal and heavenly bodies in Judah, the time for its composition may reasonably be placed before the start of Josiah’s reforms about 648 B.C.E.—Zep 1:4, 5. Idolatry, violence, and deception abounded in Judah when Zephaniah began prophesying. Many were saying in their heart: “Jehovah will not do good, and he will not do bad.” (Zep 1:12) But Zephaniah’s prophesying made it clear that Jehovah would execute vengeance upon unrepentant wrongdoers. (1:3–2:3; 3:1-5) His adverse judgments would be visited not only upon Judah and Jerusalem but also upon other peoples—the Philistines, Ammonites, Moabites, Ethiopians, and Assyrians.—2:4-15. The prophecy of Zephaniah would have been especially comforting to those who were endeavoring to serve Jehovah and who must have been greatly distressed about the detestable practices of Jerusalem’s inhabitants, including her corrupt princes, judges, and priests. (Zep 3:1-7) As rightly disposed persons would have looked forward to the execution of divine judgment upon the wicked, they are evidently addressed with the words: “‘Keep yourselves in expectation of me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘till the day of my rising up to the booty, for my judicial decision is to gather nations, for me to collect together kingdoms, in order to pour out upon them my denunciation, all my burning anger.’”