THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH

THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

Introduction:

“This prophet, a contemporary of Jeremiah, exercised his ministry during the reign of Josiah. It was a time of revival (2 Kings 22), but the captivity was impending, nevertheless, and Zephaniah points out the moral state which, despite the superficial revival under Josiah (Jeremiah 2:11-13), made it inevitable.” — Scofield.

“The prophecy begins with the nation’s sin and the fearful retribution coming at the hands of the Chaldeans. These are not mentioned by name, as in Jeremiah; for the prophecies of the latter, being nearer the fulfillment, become more explicit than those of an earlier date. The second chapter dooms the persecuting states in the neighborhood as well as Judea itself. The third chapter denounces Jerusalem, but concludes with the promise of her joyful re-establishment in the theocracy.” — Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary.

Main Theme: The searching Judgments of God.

Key Text: 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.”

A Brief Summary of the Book:

1) The announcement of coming judgments upon Judah, Zephaniah 1.

2) The Call to Repentance, Zephaniah 2:1-3.

3) Judgments threatened upon surrounding nations, Zephaniah 2:4-15.

4) A woe pronounced upon the sinners of Jerusalem because of their corruption and spiritual blindness in continuing in wickedness, in spite of all the judgments meted out to the heathen nations, Zephaniah 3:1-8.

5) A universal judgment is foretold, of which only a godly remnant should escape, Zephaniah 3:8-13.

6) The future glory of Israel, when Jehovah shall deliver his people, and cause them to become famous throughout the earth, Zephaniah 3:14-20.