The Basics: A Brief Overview of Zephaniah
The Basics course is designed to help brothers and sisters in Christ, who have a desire for a brief study over each of the books of the Bible. While being more than just a timeline, it is designed to give a person a more realistic overview of the entire Bible. As well as pointing out different highlights along the way. Imagine riding in a car and seeing exit signs for a town. Each sign gives a brief glimpse of what is inside, while if you wanted to thoroughly investigate the town you would have to take the exit. This series is a collected work of the books of the Bible while continuing to drive past each of the exits. I would encourage you to take any exit and allow the Lord God to direct your path to where He would guide.
The Bible is written in 66 different books. Each one is unique on its own but designed to be with its other collected works.
Cautionary Note: This work is not to argue for the authenticity of the Bible nor is it to argue over the mechanics of how God used man to write His Words. This is designed as an overview for someone to review the book in passing. Nevertheless, we here at Mill House Ministries believe that the Bible is without error and was written by God, through His divine attributes, through man.
These overviews are sequenced in the below fashion. Each overview is designed to flow in unison.
1.) Introduction
2.) Who wrote it
3.) When did they write it
4.) Key topics
5.) Key sections
6.) Books that interact with each other
7.) Analysis of the Book
As previously stated, if you find yourself drawn to one of these books, please take the time and see what God is wanting to show you in that book.
BASICS COURSE:
Zephaniah
INTRODUCTION:
Imagine a look inside the mind of God and how He interacts with the righteous, the wicked, and His intended actions of the future.
WHO WROTE IT:
The book of Zephaniah is named after its author. While not much is known about Zephaniah, we do know a little. He traces his genealogy back 4 generations to King Hezekiah (ca. 715–686 B.C.), standing alone among the prophets descended from royal blood Chapter 1 verse 1. Royal genealogy would have given him the ear of Judah’s king, Josiah, during whose reign he preached.[1]
WHEN DID THEY WRITE IT:
The prophet himself dates his message during the reign of Josiah (640–609 B.C.). The moral and spiritual conditions detailed in the book (chapter 1:4-6; 3:1-7) seem to place the prophecy prior to Josiah’s reforms when Judah was still languishing in idolatry and wickedness. It was in 628 B.C. that Josiah tore down all the altars to Baal, burned the bones of false prophets, and broke the carved idols (2 Chronicles 34:3-7); and in 622 B.C. the Book of the Law was found (2 Chronicles 34:8-35:19). Consequently, Zephaniah most likely prophesied from 635–625 B.C. and was a contemporary of Jeremiah.[2]
KEY TOPICS:
The key topics of Zephaniah is judgement on Judah and God’s judgement in the end times.
KEY SECTIONS:
Some might break this book up into sections or a timeline of events. However, this would take away from the attention of what the book should be reviewed. Zephaniah is a book designed to help the reader understand the mind of God in His intended actions. With this in mind, the book shouldn’t be divided in chapters but rather interactions. The first interaction occurs in chapters 1:2-2:3 is a description of God’s coming wrath of the Great Day of the Lord but also how He will interact with the good and the bad.
The second interaction that is examined by the author is found in chapter 2:4-15. Here we have God reviewing those who have come against His people. The third interaction is chapter 3:1-7. This interaction describes how God has pleaded with Israel to listen to Him, but they have gone out of their way to wake up early to go and do wicked (3:7). The final interaction is from chapter 3:8-20 which describes God’s reflection of the righteous and how He will take care of them and what they should do when that time comes.
BOOKS THAT INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER:
Zephaniah connects rather eloquently to Revelation, Chronicles, Kings, and Daniel.
ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK:
When quickly looked at one might think this is all about the end times and prophecy, but this does something deeper for those who want to know more about Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity. Zephaniah is a book revealing the character of God and how He interacts with those on earth. What a unique moment for us to ask ourselves how does God in heaven think of what is going on. In Zephaniah we get that window of opportunity. Many people believe the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) is the only place we get to see God up close; and while the gospels do a remarkable job of this, we should not leave out other books of the Bible such as Zephaniah that helps paint a more grand picture of God. Zephaniah points to a growing suspicion that when the Great Day of the Lord does come, there will be more references to the Old Testament than to the four previously mentioned gospels. Zephaniah helps us see that we have a loving God who does bring justice for the victim, “I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame and gather those who were driven out” Zephaniah 3:19a. Zephaniah is a book that shows God cares for those who have been forgotten, but also a good reminder that His love is everlasting and eternal. We are also reminded that His justice is equal and as resolute in His interactions with man as His love. Finally, Zephaniah is a marvelous book refuting those who would deny the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ that is coming one day. Read Zephaniah seriously, there are parts that must be read literally if you are to truly understand and come to comprehend what God is declaring through His prophet Zephaniah.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL
[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/macarthur_john/bible-introductions/zephaniah-intro.cfm
[2] https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/macarthur_john/bible-introductions/zephaniah-intro.cfm