ZEPHANIAH The Savior’s Summons to Satisfaction Jason S. DeRouchie, PhD Associate Professor of OT and Biblical Theology Bethlehem College & Seminary Bethlehem Baptist Church, Fall 2015

Outline of Zephaniah The Superscription to the Savior’s Summons to Satisfaction (1:1) The Setting of the Savior’s Summons to Satisfaction: A Call to Godward Reverence (1:2–18) The Essence of the Savior’s Summons to the Satisfaction: Charges to Patiently Pursue the Lord Together (2:1–3:20)

Outline of Zephaniah The Superscription to the Savior’s Summons to Satisfaction (1:1) The Setting of the Savior’s Summons to Satisfaction: A Call to Godward Reverence (1:2–18) The Essence of the Savior’s Summons to the Satisfaction: Charges to Patiently Pursue the Lord Together (2:1–3:20)

Outline of Zeph 1:2–18 The Setting of the Summons to Satisfaction: A Call to Godward Reverence (1:2–18) o The Context for the Call to Godward Reverence: Coming Punishment (1:2–6) o The Makeup of the Call to Godward Reverence (1:7–18) The call to Godward reverence (1:7a) The basis of the call for Jerusalem (1:7b–13) The basis of the call for the whole world (1:14– 18)

The Makeup of the Call to Godward Reverence, Pt 2 (1:14–18) The call to Godward reverence (1:7a) The basis of the call for Jerusalem (1:7b–13) The basis of the call for the whole world (1:14–18) o The nature of the punishment characterized (1:14–16): timing, sound, terror

The Day of the LORD as Cataclysmic Decreation Graphic and phenomenological imagery that: o Marks a shift from the sphere of life to the sphere of death; o Depicts war as bringing light-suffocating shadows, smoke, and gloom; o Portrays the reversal of creation from light back to darkness (Gen 1:2). Sample Texts: o Against Babylon: Isa 13:9–11 o Against Egypt & Cush: Ezek 30:2–4 o Against Israel: Joel 2:1–2, 10–11

Anticipations of Lasting Significance: o Joel 2:28–32 Where is this text cited in the NT? o 1 Thess 4:16–17

The Makeup of the Call to Godward Reverence, Pt 2 (1:14–18) The call to Godward reverence (1:7a) The basis of the call for Jerusalem (1:7b–13) The basis of the call for the whole world (1:14–18) o The nature of the punishment characterized (1:14–16): timing, sound, terror o The nature of the punishment developed (1:17–18): divine punishment and effects

Takeaway Revere God today in light of the seriousness of the coming day of the Lord (see 2 Thess 1:8–9). Celebrate God’s gift of a substitute sacrifice, which frees us from experiencing the future day as wrath.

Jesus’ Inauguration of the Day of the Lord Malachi associated the day with the coming 2 nd Elijah, with the return of Yahweh’s presence to the temple, and with burning (Mal 3:1–2; 4:1, 5–6). John the Baptist was this Elijah (Matt 7:7–11). John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the sword bearer and sacrifice associated with the day of the Lord (Matt 3:11–12; John 1:29).

At the cross, the future day of the Lord intrudes into the present for those who believe, as Christ bears God’s wrath against saved sinners. o The images of darkness fulfill the day of the Lord promises (Matt 27:45–46; Acts 2:15–21) o Believers now stand protected from the future day of fury because Christ bore the penalty Zephaniah anticipates (Isa 53:5; Rom 5:1, 9–11). o When the Lord Jesus returns to punish his enemies, the saints will glorify and marvel at him (2 Thess 1:6–10; cf. Rom 9:22–24).