Zephaniah The Day of YHWH Adapted from the 22 Feb 2002 class presentation by Ong Bee Yong Dr. Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College

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Obadiah JonahAmosHosea Isaiah Micah NahumZephaniah Placing the Prophets Key Dates 342

Habakkuk Joel Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Jerusalem's Fall Key Dates Zephaniah

Introduction I. Historical Context II. Time III. Theological Themes 1. The Day of Yahweh 2. Universalism 3. Messianic Prophecy 4. God's Presence 5. Creation & 'Decreation' 6. Land in the eyes of the prophets 7. The Remnant IV. Who are the groups of people prophesized against? V. Fulfillment of Prophecies VI. Applications Zephaniah Overview

The Twelve Minor Prophets HoseaAmosObadMicahZephHabJoelJonahNahumZechHaggaiMal    IsraelJudahAssyriaJudah Pre-ExilePost-Exile Destruction of Jerusalem & Temple ~ 420 years562

The Judean Kings 1. Rehoboam 2. Abijam 3. Asa + 4. Jehoshaphat + 5. Jehoram 6. Ahaziah 7. Athaliah (queen) 8. Joash + 9. Amaziah Uzziah/Azariah Jotham Ahaz 13. Hezekiah (best king) Manasseh (worst king) 15. Amon 16. Josiah Jehoahaz 18. Jehoiakim 19. Jehoiachin 20. Zedekiah + Good Ruler 11 years 3 months 477 Kim's has chin

Historical Context Zephaniah literally means "YHWH hides" Occasion: Reign of Josiah, Judean King Josiah => 16 th King (640 – 609 BC ) Tried to bring a reform to restore the worship of YHWH Previous Kings Manasseh and his son Amon => godless & wicked Reform only began in 622 BC. which was 18 years after Josiah took over! Only a remnant heeded the call to return to God Zephaniah spoke! 630 BC

JudgmentSalvation 1:1–3:83:9-20 Day of PunishmentDay of Praise D-DayV-Day DestructionDeliverance RuinRestoration God's RighteousnessGod's Faithfulness WarningEncouragement Earth 1:1-3Judah 1:4–2:3Nations 2:4-15 Jerusalem 3:1-7 Earth 3:8 Remnant Regathered 3:9-10 Redeemed & Restored 3:11-20 Zephaniah: Day of the L ORD Judah, Nations, & the Whole Earth (about 630 BC)634

Key Word:Day Key Verse:"Gather together…before the day of the L ORD 's wrath comes upon you. Seek the L ORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the L ORD 's anger" (Zeph. 2:1-3). Summary Statement: Zephaniah prophesies the day of the L ORD judgment upon Judah, the surrounding nations, and the entire earth to exhort Judah to repent because of God's righteous character and His promise of a remnant in a national restoration. Application: If you insist on living like a pagan, then you will die like a pagan (Huang Sabin) 634Keys

Zephaniah 1:8 (NLT) “I will punish…all those following pagan customs”

Zephaniah 3:17

Jewish Festivals

The L ORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. The L ORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Yahweh your God is there with you, the warrior-Savior. He will rejoice over you with happy song, he will renew you by his love, he will dance with shouts of joy over you. Yahweh your God is there with you, the warrior-Savior. He will rejoice over you with happy song, he will renew you by his love, he will dance with shouts of joy over you. Zephaniah 3:17 (NJB)

III. Theological Themes III. Theological Themes 1. The Day of Yahweh 2. Universalism 3. Messianic Prophecy 4. God's Presence 5. Creation & 'Decreation' 6. Land in the eyes of the prophets 7. The Remnant 636

Theological Themes 1. The Day of YHWH Concept that appears in every prophetical writing in the OT In Zephaniah: The Day of YHWH is noted 23 times in 3 chapters Variations: "The Day of YHWH," "Day," etc. "The Day" is –a. Imminent (1:14) –b. Day of terror (1:15) –c. Judgment for sins (1:17) –d. Universal judgment (1:2-3, 2:4-15; 3:8) –e. Great convulsion of nature (1:15) –f. Remnant redeemed (3:16-17)

III. Theological Themes 1. The Day of Yahweh 1. The Day of Yahweh2. Universalism 3. Messianic Prophecy 4. God's Presence 5. Creation & 'Decreation' 6. Land in the eyes of the prophets 7. The Remnant

Chiastic Structure Earth 1:1-3Judah 1:4–2:3Nations 2:4-15 Jerusalem 3:1-7 Earth 3:8 Remnant Regathered 3:9-10 Redeemed & Restored 3:11-20 Zephaniah: Day of the L ORDJudgmentSalvation 1:1–3:83:9-20 Day of Punishment Day of Praise D-DayV-Day DestructionDeliverance RuinRestoration God's Righteousness Gold's Faithfulness WarningEncouragement634

IV. Who are the nations to be judged? Philistia Gaza

Gaza

6. Land in the eyes of the prophets (continued) During Manasseh's evil 55-year reign: People turned skeptical during his cruel rule; hearts turned indifferent towards God. " YHWH will not do good, neither will he do evil" 1:12 Religious leaders became misleaders (3:4) Though a remnant had turned back to God or remained faithful, this was insufficient to avert the awful judgment upon the nation (thankfully, though, these would be hidden in the day of YHWH's wrath). Results of Manasseh's Evil Reign

IV. Which nations will be judged? Philistia 2:4-7 Cush 2: Ashkelon Ashdod Ekron Moab 2:8- 11 Ammon 2:8-11 Assyria 2:13-15 Jerusalem 3:1-8 Gaza

NATIONS 2:4-15

WEST 2:4-7 WEST 2:4-7

EAST 2:8-11 EAST 2:8-11

SOUTH 2:12 SOUTH 2:12

NORTH 2:13-15 NORTH 2:13-15

V. Fulfillment of Prophecies "You also, O Ethiopians, will be slain by my sword" (2:12) Cush (2:12) or Ethiopia, ceased control over Egypt during the 25 th Egyptian Dynasty (c BC). They then were defeated by the Babylonians in 663 BC. 637

The minor prophets are by no means insignificant. The call to constantly return to YHWH is still ringing loud and clear today. If you insist on living like a pagan, then you will die like a pagan ~ Huang Sabin Conclusion

Judgment!

Blessing !

"The L ORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17)

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