INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY:BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH
By Dennis Schmidt 3/2003
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This paper discusses the book of Zephaniah. The king of Judah at the time was Josiah. The judgments of Zephaniah were not against Judas, of that day, as the prophet encouraged Josiah and his advisors to institute reforms (2 Chronicles 34-35). Another prophet of about the same time was Jeremiah also written to Judah. Almost the entire book discusses God's coming judgment as a means of purifying the remnant and ushering in His kingdom. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.
ZEPHANIAH THEME:
- THE COMING DAY OF THE LORD JUDGMENT AGAINST ALL NATIONS.
Zephaniah
1:14-15 "The great day of the LORD
is near, it is near, and hasteth
greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry
there bitterly. {15} That day is a day of wrath, a day of
trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and
desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds
and thick darkness,"
CHAPTER THEMES & ELEMENTS
|
OVERVIEW |
OUTLINE |
TOPICS |
CHAPTER(S) THEMES |
|
I) Prophet Zephaniah |
Introduction |
Introduction |
{1:1} Prophecy |
|
II) Judgment on Israel & Nations on the Day of the Lord |
A) Judgment on |
|
{1:2-18} God will destroy false gods & those that follow them |
|
“ |
B) Judgment on the Nations |
The Lord is against you |
{2:1-15} God will famish any other god |
|
“ |
C) Judgment on Jerusalem & Leadership |
The just God has cut off the nations |
{3:1-8} |
|
III) Salvation to Remnant, Land,
& Religious System |
A) Deliverance to Remnant |
Israel’s remnant shall trust God |
{3:9-13} The remnant shall trust God & not commit sin |
|
“ |
B) Restoration to Land, People,
& Religious System |
|
{ |
AUTHOR: Prophet Zephaniah DATE: 640 BC FROM:
PURPOSE:
THE DAY OF THE LORD IS TO PRODUCE
KEY WORD(S)/VERSES:
Zephaniah 2:3 "Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek
of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek
righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the
day of the LORD'S anger."
[ midst ] (2:14; 3:5, 11, 12, 15, 17); [ day ] (1:7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15,
16, 18; 2:2, 2:3, 2:4; 3:8, 11, 16); [ judgment ] (2:3, 3:3, 3:5, 3:15)
OUTLINE FOR ZEPHANIAH
I)
INTRODUCTION: {ZEPHANIAH 1:1}
II)
JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL & NATIONS ON THE DAY OF THE LORD: {ZEPHANIAH 1:2 – 3:8}
A)
JUDGMENT ON JUDAH {ZEPHANIAH 1:2 – 1:18}
B)
JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS {ZEPHANIAH 2:1 – 2:15}
C)
JUDGMENT ON JERUSALEM & LEADERSHIP {ZEPHANIAH 3:1 – 3:8}
III) SALVATION TO REMNANT, LAND, & RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
{ZEPHANIAH 3:9 – 3:20}
A) DELIVERANCE TO REMNANT {ZEPHANIAH 3:9 – 3:13}
B) RESTORATION TO LAND, PEOPLE, & RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
{ZEPHANIAH 3:14 – 3:20}
I)
INTRODUCTION: {ZEPHANIAH 1:1}
WHO: God WHOM:
Zephaniah
Zephaniah 1:1 "The word of the /\ LORD /\ which came unto Zephaniah
the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah,
the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah
the son of Amon, king of Judah."
Word of the Lord: Used several places: Hosea 1:1; Micah 1:1
See my papers: "God’s
Word/Bible/Scriptures" for more information on this subject.
See my papers: "Bible Study & Interpretation Guideline" for more information on this subject.
PROPHETS:
Prophet: A spokesman for another, as for God. Other names/titles in the Bible are as follows: Man of God; Servant of the Lord; Messenger of the Lord; and Seer (to see).
Exodus 7:1-2 "And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. {2} Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land."
Jeremiah 1:7 "But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I <am> a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."
Amos 3:7-8 "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. {8} The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"
1 Samuel 9:9 "(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for <he that is> now <called> a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)"
TRUE & FALSE PROPHETS TESTS:
- Spoke only in the name of the Lord (Yahweh).
- His life matches his position. He did not practice divination.
- Do not assume signs and wonders prove his position.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, {2} And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; {3} Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
2 Thessalonians 2:9 "<Even him>, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,"
- His message was in harmony with previous revelation.
- History confirms his authenticity.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 "And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? {22} When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that <is> the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, <but> the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
- Moral quality and spiritual essence of the message.
- Inner witness to the Holy Spirit believer.
1 Corinthians 14:29 "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge."
Zephaniah: Name means hid (protected) of the Lord. He has an extended genealogy over other prophets. He was of noble birth.
Cushi: Name means the same.
Gedaliah: Name means God is my greatness; or magnified of the Lord.
Amariah: Name means promised of the Lord.
Hizkiah (King Hezekiah): His name means strong of the Lord; or taken and supported by the Lord. He was King of Judah from 715 to 686 BC and is mention with Isaiah.
Josiah: Name means Jehovah heals. He was King of Judah from 640 to 609 BC and did right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 22:1-23:30, 2 Chronicles 34-35). He was made king at age 8. His advisor was Hilkiah, the high priest. At age 16 he turned to God. At age 20 he instituted a program of moral and religious reforms. The temple was repaired and Moses' book of the law was found. He died by going against Egypt when God instructed him not to fight them.
2 Chronicles 34:3 "For in the eighth year of his reign, while
he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father:
and in the twelfth year he began to purge
Amon: Name means faithful, true.
II)
JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL & NATIONS ON THE DAY OF THE LORD: {ZEPHANIAH 1:2 – 3:8}
A)
JUDGMENT ON JUDAH {ZEPHANIAH 1:2 – 1:18}
Zephaniah 1:2 "/\ I /\ will utterly consume all <things> from off the land, saith the /\ LORD /\."
See my papers: "Godhead Relationship" for more information on this subject.
Utterly consume all things from off the land: God's cleaning of the earth by fire. See 1:18 and 3:8.
Zephaniah 1:3 "/\ I /\ will consume man and beast; /\ I /\ will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and /\ I /\ will cut off man from off the land, saith the /\ LORD /\." Also true for flood (Genesis 6:7).
See my papers: "Triunity – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit" for more information on this subject.
See my papers: "The One God – The Shama" for more information on this subject.
Day of the Lord: Refers to consummation of history and divine judgments. Two aspects: triumph over evil & restoring kingdom.
Mention 5 times in Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2:11, 2:31 and 3:14. It is called
gloominess (2:2), destruction (
Joel
Other references: Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5,30:3;
Amos
Isaiah 13:9 "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Sinners in general.
Jeremiah 30:7 "Alas! for that day <is> great, so that none <is> like it: it <is> even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." Other scriptures to all people and people of that date.
The final destruction will be by fire (2 Peter 3:10-12).
2 Peter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." The end day itself.
Location Joel 3:2 Valley of Jehoshaphat (means Yahweh judges).
Joel 3:2 "I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and <for> my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land."
WHAT: I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
Zephaniah 1:4 "/\ I /\ will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and /\ I /\ will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, <and> the name of the Chemarims with the priests;" Baal worship: Male divinity from Canaan & Moab. It included child sacrifice/prostitution. Bull symbol for fertility Baal means husband, lord or owner & is a god over nature & elements.
Stretch out mine hand upon Judah: Zephaniah may have helped guide the king to correct Judah's idolatry. Josiah in 627 BC reformed the Judah & Jerusalem's for type problems from 1:4 - 1:6.
1 Peter 4:17 "For the time <is come> that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if <it> first <begin> at us, what shall the end <be> of them that obey not the gospel of God?"
Zephaniah 1:5 "And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship <and> that swear by the /\ LORD /\, and that swear by Malcham;" Star worship. Malcham = Molech many gods.
Worship the host of heavens upon the housetops:
Jeremiah 19:13 "And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods."
WHY: Them that are turned back from the LORD; and those
that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.
Zephaniah 1:6 "And them that are turned back from the /\ LORD /\; and <those> that have not sought the /\ LORD /\, nor inquired for /\ him /\."
Zephaniah 1:7 "Hold thy peace at the presence of the /\ Lord /\ /\ GOD /\: for the [ day ] of the /\ LORD /\ <is> at hand: for the /\ LORD /\ hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests." Evil men sacrifice.
See my papers: "End Times
Events - The Day of the LORD" for more information on this subject.
See my papers: "Is Free
Will Biblical?" for
more information on this subject.
See my papers: "Some Saved
& Some Lost – God’s Sovereignty" for more information on this subject.
See my papers: "God Plans
for His Purpose. Who Harden Pharoah’s
Heart?" for
more information on this subject.
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LIST: THE DAY OF THE LORD:
{ZEPHANIAH 1:7 – 3:16}
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(1) Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord
GOD: for the day of the LORD is
at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his
guests. {Zephaniah 1:7}
(2) And it
shall come to pass in the day of
the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes,
and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange
apparel. {Zephaniah 1:8}
(3) In the same day also
will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit. {Zephaniah
1:9}
(4) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise
of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from
the second, and a great crashing from the hills. {Zephaniah 1:10}
(5) The great day of
the LORD is near, it is near,
and hasteth greatly, even the voice
of the day of the LORD: the
mighty man shall cry there bitterly. {Zephaniah 1:14}
(6) That day is
a day of wrath, a day of
trouble and distress, a day of
wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a
day of clouds and thick darkness,
{Zephaniah 1:15}
(7) A day
of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. {Zephaniah 1:16}
(8) Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. {Zephaniah 1:18}
(9) Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the
fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.
{Zephaniah 2:2}
(10) Seek ye
the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment;
seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid
in the day of the LORD'S anger.
{Zephaniah 2:3}
(11) Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. {Zephaniah 3:8}
(12) In that day shalt
thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein
thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the
midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be
haughty because of my holy mountain. {Zephaniah 3:11}
(13) In that day it shall be said to
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Zephaniah 1:8 "And it shall come to pass in the [ day ] of the /\ LORD’S /\ sacrifice, that /\ I /\ will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel." Princes see 3:3.
I will punish the princes...king's children:
Isaiah 39:7 "And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."
Zephaniah 1:9 "In the same [ day ] also will /\ I /\ punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit." Pagan custom of carrying wife over threshold.
Zephaniah
Fish gate: One of Jerusalem's main entrances.
Zephaniah 1:11 "Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off." Corrupt business practices. Maktesh = market.
Zephaniah 1:12 "And it shall come to pass at that time, <that> /\ I /\ will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The /\ LORD /\ will not do good, neither will /\ he /\ do evil."
Say in their heart, the Lord will do good, neither will He do evil:
Arrogance of wicked that God will do nothing.
Zephaniah
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LIST: NATURE OF THE DAY IS:
{ZEPHANIAH 1:14 – 3:13}
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One prophecy divided into three parts: universal
judgment, exhortation to repent, salvation promised.
(1) Imminent (near) {Zephaniah 1:14}
(2) Filled with wrath, trouble, distress, and
darkness {Zephaniah 1:15}
(3) Judgment for sin {Zephaniah 1:17}
(4) Universal - Jew Gentile man animal: {Zephaniah
2:4-15}
(5) A remnant will survive: {Zephaniah 2:3,
3:9-13}
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KEY VERSES: Zephaniah 1:14
Zephaniah
Great day of the Lord is near: Day of the Lord.
KEY VERSES: Zephaniah 1:15
Zephaniah 1:15 "That [ day ] <is> a [ day ] of wrath, a [ day ] of trouble and distress, a [ day ] of wasteness and desolation, a [ day ] of darkness and gloominess, a [ day ] of clouds and thick darkness,"
Day of wrath..trouble..distress..wasteness..desolation..darkness:
Characteristics of God's punishment to evil.
Zephaniah
Day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities:
Revelation 8 & 9 & mid 11 includes the seven trumpet plagues. 1/3 peoples of the earth will be killed. 7th trumpet is Christ's return
See my papers: "Judgment of Believers & Unbelievers" for more information on this subject.
WAY: I will bring distress upon men, that they shall
walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD
Zephaniah 1:17 "And /\ I /\ will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the /\ LORD /\: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung."
Zephaniah 1:18 "Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the /\ LORD’S /\ wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."
B)
JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS {ZEPHANIAH 2:1 – 2:15}
Zephaniah 2:1 "Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;" Purpose of gathering is to repent.
Zephaniah 2:2 "Before the decree bring forth, <before> the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the /\ LORD /\ come upon you, before the [ day ] of the /\ LORD’S /\ anger come upon you."
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LIST: FOUR BEFORES:
{ZEPHANIAH 2:2}
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(1) Before the
decree bring forth {Zephaniah 2:2}
(2) <Before>
the day pass as the chaff {Zephaniah
2:2}
(3) Before the
fierce anger of the LORD come
upon you {Zephaniah 2:2}
(4) Before the
day of the LORD’S anger
come upon you {Zephaniah 2:2}
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VERSES: Zephaniah 2:3
Zephaniah 2:3 "Seek ye the /\ LORD /\, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his [ judgment ]; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the [ day ] of the /\ LORD’S /\ anger."
Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth:
Isaiah 55:6 "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:"
Matthew 5:5 "Blessed <are> the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
Righteousness: Right/just/holy/clean/pure. Conform to God's norm.
See my papers: "True Gospel for Salvation by the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.
See my papers: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed <are> they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
Matthew 5:10 "Blessed <are> they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Meekness: Gentle, submissive, patient and kind. In respect to God.
Numbers 12:3 "(Now the man Moses <was> very meek, above all the men which <were> upon the face of the earth.)
See my papers: "Multiple Raptures" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 2:4 "For
Gaza: Meaning strong or mighty, or a play on meaning.
Ashkelon: She was a prosperous community on the sea shore, or a play on the meaning.
Ashdod: Meaning is inclination, leaning; or a wild open place; or pillage, theft, or a play on the meaning.
Ekron: Meaning is barrenness, tore away, or a play on the meaning.
See my papers: "Israel Trip to the Holy Land" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 2:5 "Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the /\ LORD /\ <is> against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant."
Cherethites: Means who cuts or who tears away and exterminates.
Canaan: Means a merchant or a trader. The son of Ham.
Philistines: Zephaniah 2:4 above mentioned the 4 main cities.
Zephaniah 2:6 "And the sea coast shall be dwellings <and> cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks."
Zephaniah 2:7 "And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the /\ LORD /\ their /\ God /\ shall visit them, and turn away their captivity." See also 3:20.
Turn away their captivity: Return the Jews to Israel from nations.
See my papers: "What is a Born-Againn & How to Become One?" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 2:8 "I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified <themselves> against their border."
Moab: Means water of a father (progeny). Land out
of
Ammon: Means great people. Land out of
Zephaniah 2:9 "Therefore <as> I live, saith the /\ LORD /\ of hosts, the /\ God /\ of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, <even> the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of /\ LORD /\ people shall possess them."
Sodom: Means flaming or burning. Lot was involved with these cities before their destruction (see Genesis 19:24).
Gomorrah: Means a rebellious people or people that fear. Gen 19:24
Remnant of my people shall possess them: God's people rule world.
See my papers: "Israel
& Jewish People in God’s Plan" for more information on this subject.
See my papers: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.
1 Kings 19:18 "Yet I have left <me> seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."
Revelation 2:26-27 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: {27} And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father."
WAY: They have for their pride, because they have
reproached and magnified <themselves> against the people of the LORD
Zephaniah
WHAT: They have for their pride, because they have
reproached and magnified <themselves> against the people of the LORD
Zephaniah
He will famish all the gods of the earth: God's will bring every
substitute gentile god down. As He did in
All men shall worship God..every one in his place..even heathens:
Malachi
See my papers: "Apostasy"
for more information on this
subject.
See my papers: "UnPardonable Sin" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 2:12 "Ye Ethiopians also, ye <shall be> slain by my sword." Sword was probably Babylon used by God for his punishment.
Ethiopians: Cushites (NIV) ruled Egypt
Zephaniah
Assyria: A very wicket people God eventually destroyed after Jonah.
Nineveh: It was destroyed in 612 BC because of the destruction to Israel. Zephaniah was written before this date.
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KEYWORD: LORD IN THE MIDST OF THEE: {ZEPHANIAH
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(1) And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the
cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice
shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for
he shall uncover the cedar work. {Zephaniah
(2) The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do
iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth
no shame. {Zephaniah 3:5}
(3) In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings,
wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away
out of the midst of thee them
that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of
my holy mountain. {Zephaniah
(4) I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor
people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
{Zephaniah 3:12}
(5) The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of
(6) The LORD thy
God in the midst of thee is mighty;
he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest
in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. {Zephaniah 3:17}
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Zephaniah
WHY: I <am>, and
<there is> none beside me
Zephaniah 2:15 "This <is> the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, /\ I /\ <am>, and <there is> none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, <and> wag his hand."
Isaiah 45:5-6 "I <am> the LORD, and <there is> none else, <there is> no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: {6} That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that <there is> none beside me. I <am> the LORD, and <there is> none else."
Isaiah 47:10 "For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I <am>, and none else beside me."
See my papers: "Just Who Is
God?" for
more information on this subject.
C)
JUDGMENT ON JERUSALEM & LEADERSHIP {ZEPHANIAH 3:1 – 3:8}
WHAT: Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the
oppressing city
Zephaniah 3:1 "Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the
oppressing city!"
WHY: She received not correction; she trusted not
in the LORD; she drew not near
to her God
Zephaniah 3:2 "She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the /\ LORD /\; she drew not near to her /\ God /\."
She received not correction..she trusted not in the Lord..near God: She has the prophets & law to guide or destruction will result. We have the same guides (lessons and stories from scriptures).
Zephaniah 3:3 "Her princes within her <are> roaring lions; her [ judges ] <are> evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow." Princes see 1:8.
Her princes within her are roaring lions: Many lion scriptures.
Her leaders: princes, judges, prophets, and priests are evil.
1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
WAY: Her prophets <are> light <and>
treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary,
they have done violence to the law
Zephaniah 3:4 "Her prophets <are> light <and> treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law."
See my papers: "Church Officers & Their Qualifications" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 3:5 "The just /\ LORD /\ <is> in the [ midst ] thereof; /\ he /\ will not do iniquity: every morning doth /\ he /\ bring his [ judgment ] to light, /\ he /\ faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame."
See my papers: "Justification"
for more information on this
subject.
See my papers: "Justification of Faith – Old Testament Doctrine" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 3:6 "/\ I /\ have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; /\ I /\ made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant." Other nations cut off to warn Judah.
See my papers: "Judgment of Believers & Unbelievers" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 3:7 "I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, <and> corrupted all their doings."
Zephaniah 3:8 "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the /\ LORD /\, until the [ day ] that /\ I /\ rise up to the prey: for my determination <is> to gather the nations, that /\ I /\ may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them /\ mine /\ indignation, <even> all /\ my /\ fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of /\ my /\ jealousy."
For my determination is to gather the nations..pour my indignation
Joel 3:2 "I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and <for> my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land."
See my papers: "Kingdom of God & Heaven" for more information on this subject.
All the earth shall be devoured with the fire or my jealousy:
God will destroy the earth with fire.
III) SALVATION TO REMNANT, LAND, & RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
{ZEPHANIAH 3:9 – 3:20}
A) DELIVERANCE TO REMNANT {ZEPHANIAH 3:9 – 3:13}
WHY: I turn to the people
a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD
Zephaniah 3:9 "For then will /\ I /\ turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the /\ LORD /\, to serve /\ him /\ with one consent." All speak the same language of faith.
I turn to the people a pure language..they may call upon..the Lord: Turn has the sense of restore or bring back. Babel's rebellion had God confuse the languages.
Isaiah 6:5 "Then said I, Woe <is> me! for I am undone; because I <am> a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."
See my papers: "Man’s Greatest Need – Relationship with God" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 3:10 "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia /\ my /\ suppliants, <even> the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring /\ mine /\ offering."
Zephaniah 3:11 "In that [ day ] shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against /\ me /\: for then /\ I /\ will take away out of the [ midst ] of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of /\ my /\ holy mountain."
WAY: They shall trust in the name of the LORD
Zephaniah
Leave afflicted & poor people..they shall trust in the Lord's name:
Matthew 5:3-4,6 "Blessed <are> the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {4} Blessed <are> they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. {6} Blessed <are> they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
See my papers: "Faith"
for more information on this
subject.
See my papers: "Grace" for more information on this subject.
WHAT: The remnant of
Zephaniah
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity:
Jeremiah 31:33 "But this <shall be> the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."
See my papers: "True Gospel for Salvation by the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.
None shall make them afraid:
Micah 4:4 "But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make <them> afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken <it>."
B) RESTORATION TO LAND, PEOPLE, & RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
{ZEPHANIAH 3:14 – 3:20}
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MISC:
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(1) Sing, O
daughter of
(2) The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of
(3) In that day it shall be said to
(4) The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he
will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in
his love, he will joy over thee with singing. {Zephaniah 3:17}
(5) I will gather them that are sorrowful
for the solemn assembly, who are
of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. {Zephaniah 3:18}
(6) Behold, at that time I will undo all that
afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth,
and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and
fame in every land where they have been put to shame. {Zephaniah 3:19}
(7) At that time will I bring you again, even in the
time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a
praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your
captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. {Zephaniah
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Zephaniah
WHAT: The
LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy. Thou
shalt not see evil any more
Zephaniah
The Lord take away thy judgments..thou shalt not see evil any more:
Revelation 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
Zephaniah
WHY: The LORD
thy God in the midst of thee
<is> mighty; he will save;
he will rest in his
love
Zephaniah 3:17 "The /\ LORD /\ thy /\ God /\ in the [ midst ] of thee <is> mighty; /\ he /\ will save, /\ he /\ will rejoice over thee with joy; /\ he /\ will rest in /\ his /\ love, /\ he /\ will joy over thee with singing."
See my papers: "Love" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 3:18 "/\ I /\ will gather <them that are> sorrowful for the solemn assembly, <who> are of thee, <to whom> the reproach of it <was> a burden." Solemn assembly = appointed feasts.
See my papers: "Feasts of the Lord" for more information on this subject.
Zephaniah 3:19 "Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame."
WAY: In the time that I gather you: for I will
make you a name and a praise among all people of the
earth, when I turn back your
captivity
Zephaniah 3:20 "At that time will /\ I /\ bring you <again>, even in the time that /\ I /\ gather you: for /\ I /\ will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when /\ I /\ turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the /\ LORD /\."
The time I gather you:
Hosea 1:10-11 "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, <that> in the place where it was said unto them, Ye <are> not my people, <there> it shall be said unto them, <Ye are> the sons of the living God. {11} Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great <shall be> the day of Jezreel."
See my papers: "Restoration of the Kingdom of God to Israel" for more information on this subject.
I will make you a name and a praise..I turn back your captivity:
Amos 9:11-12 "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: {12} That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this."
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