1. Zephaniah

2. Background Zephaniah – “hidden by God” He traces his history back to Hezekiah Wrote during Josiah’s reign (640-609 BC) Manasseh and Amon, grandfather and father of Josiah, had practiced great evils (2 Chronicles 33:1-25; 2 Kings 21:1-26) Josiah became king at age 8 and at 18 conducted sweeping reforms because of the discovery of a copy of the law However, it appears the people remained wicked

3. Judah Will Be Destroyed Zephaniah 1 Because of her idolatry –Worshiped Baal – verse 4 –Worshiped the host of heaven and Malcham, thought to be king of the deities, while bowing to God at the same time – verse 5; Deuteronomy 4:19 Others had turned away from God – verse 6 Judah had refused to repent, so God had prepared them as a sacrifice and invited the Babylonians as guests – verse 7

4. Those To Be Punished Zephaniah 1 Princes and king’s children who should have led the way in righteousness but were wicked Those who wore foreign clothing, indicating where their allegiance lay – verses 8-9 Those who stole by violent acts God would diligently search for those who were like wine allowed to sit too long believing God would do nothing – verses 12-13

5. A Call to Repentance and Prophecy Concerning Their Enemies Zephaniah 2 Zephaniah called them to repentance before they were swept away like chaff before God’s fury – verses 1-3 He foretold the punishment of their enemies –Cities of Philistia – verses 4-7 –Moab and Ammon – verses 8-11 –Ethiopia to the south, including Egypt – verse 12 –Assyria to the north – verses 13-15

6. To Judah, Especially Jerusalem Zephaniah 3 Four reasons are given for punishment – verse 2 4 classes of leaders the people turned to and were misled by – verses 3-4 The righteous are urged to patiently wait for God’s judgment on the wicked of all nations – verses 8-17 –God will turn to those with lips unsoiled from idol worship – verse 9

7. Those God Will Favor Zephaniah 3 “The most remote of the heathen nations will prove that they are worshipers of Jehovah, by bringing Him the scattered members of His nation, or by converting them to the living God” (Keil, verse 10; Isaiah 66:20) Those who worship God will be humble – verses 11-12 With the enemy gone and the nature of worship changed, people will rejoice and God will be in their midst – vss. 14-17