Zephaniah

1. Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

Zephaniah was written by Zephaniah during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (1:1). During King Josiah's reign they had recently rediscovered the law and were supposedly in a time of coming back to God, but the text seems to say otherwise. It may be that they had been coming back to God during Josiah's reign but were slipping away (1:6). Zephaniah was a descendant of King Hezekiah (1:1) so he would have most likely had a decent education and a good platform to speak from, as well as access to some higher ranking people of the day. From the text I also gathered that he was a man who allowed the Lord to speak and allowed that to take precedence over his own words and opinions. The majority of the text is direct words from God, Zephaniah's narrative of what God is saying and then at the very end of the last chapter we see him make his one and only interjection in the whole book (3:16b-17).

The book is written to the people of Judah and Jersualem (1:4, 12, 3:1) warning of them of the impending judgment and destruction that is coming against them (1:17) It is because of their abadonment of God and worship of pagan idols that they are receiving this judgment (1:6, 9, 12). They nation is prideful (2:15) and the leaders are corrupt (1:8). The instruction on how to avoid the anger of the Lord is given in 2:3.

2. What does this book show you about the character and nature of God?

Zephaniah more than illustrates the justness and anger the Lord has towards those who do evil (2:8-9, 3:8). He does not allow anyone to go free without repentance and turning their hearts to Him. Those who do not give Him honor, who do wrong against His people, and those who worship idols and pagan gods instead of Him. He is always good, regardless of how “His people” (priests, judges, prophets and leaders) represent Him. (3:3-5).

3. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

He speaks of searching the earth and ridding from His presence all who are proud and arrogant in His sight and those who remain will be the lowly and humble. He will on that day purify all speech and all will praise and worship together (3:8-12). He declares to Jerusalem, “Be glad and rejoice... For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.” (3:13-15)

4. Personal Application

The personal application came for seeing how few times Zephaniah spoke in the book. He seems to be a man who allowed the Lord to speak and didn't interject or make his own statements. He let the word of the Lord speak for itself. I've often felt the same should be for myself; all too often I find myself speaking and not actually saying anything. I feel like the Lord has given me a gift of my words, but I abuse the credibility when I speak out of my own flesh and not revelation or leading of Him. Not saying that I should be silent unless God says to talk, but more so relating it to what I do say. Am I speaking words of life and encouragment? Am I speaking words to challenge, disciple and love those around me? A lot of time when I speak just to speak the words are degrading, negative and not beneficial to anyone around me. So instead, I've begun challenging myself to speak only words of God. Of course I don't do this perfectly, I fail every day! But I pray that God would make me into a woman of purity of speech and in that, He purifies my mind because I'm thinking about everything I'm saying and whether or not it would be life giving. God! Make me into a woman who speaks only the words of a heaven-like culture! Use my mouth to encourage, love, correct when needed and bring glory to Your Kingdom!

Point of Passion: Family.
Simple truths to teach our families: “Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow His commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly.” In our families these are the things we should cling to, simply Jesus. Seek Him, follow His commands. Seek to do what is right and live humbly. We make life so complicated, but all God wants is for us to be in communion with Him and listen to what He says to do. Teach our families to love God and simply do what He asks of us. What if our lives only revolved around that? Families and nations would be transformed.