SUMMARY OF ZEPHANIAH 1:1-3:8
Zephaniah warns of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the judgment of the surrounding nations.
God will judge the entire planet on the day of the Lord (Second Coming of Christ). God will destroy all idol worship, punish the officials and the king’s sons, and all who fill the temple with violence and deceit.
Judah is asked to repent. All of the surrounding nations will face judgment, including Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush, and Assyria.
Jerusalem has been given chances to repent, but still does not.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 24, Day 4: Zephaniah 1:1-3:8
9) During the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah. Josiah entered into a new covenant with God and issued reforms after reading the Book of the Law, which was found. He wiped out pagan cults and removed idolatry from the temple.
10)
Zephaniah 1:2-3: “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.“I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea— and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble. He will destroy all mankind on the face of the earth.
Zephaniah 1:4-5: “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place, the very names of the idolatrous priests— 5 those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the Lord and who also swear by Molek,[b]
Zephaniah 1:12-16: God will punish those who are complacent. Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished.
Though they build houses, they will not live in them. though they plant vineyards, they will not drink the wine.” That day will be a day of distress, anguish, trouble, ruin, darkness, gloom, clouds, blackness, trumpets, and battle cries.
11) Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush, and Assyria. God judges both believers and unbelievers. Everyone will be accountable to God for their actions.
12) They are disobedient, oppressors, rebellious, and defiled. They don’t trust God nor do they draw near to God. The officials and rulers are corrupt. The prophets are unprincipled. They are treacherous people. The priests do violence to the law. The people are unrepentant for their actions.
13) I think people today don’t think about God’s judgment and live their lives ignoring God. Or, they sin and believe that doesn’t matter because God will forgive them. This is because people don’t believe in God or they only believe the parts of God’s word they want to believe.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 24, Day 4: Zephaniah 1:1-3:8
Love this lesson! Love the tender judgment of God and His constant call to have His people repent.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 24, Day 4: Zephaniah 1:1-3:8
Zephaniah preaches what the other prophets did: he condemned the people of God for their sins and predicted their coming judgment. However, he also predicted the day of the Lord for a small remnant. Zephaniah was the last of the prophets, so by now, he is merely repeating the others warnings of judgment.
Zephaniah promised judgment to idolaters, royalty, merchants, and the complacent. The judgment will be intense, and it is certain.
Fun Fact: The Day of the Lord is used more than 25 times in the Bible.
Now, is the day of the man; the Day of the Lord is when God reigns again on earth.
God calls his people to repent while there is still time.
All the nations will be judged: the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Cush (Ethiopia), and Assyria.
Jerusalem is wicked, but God is righteous. God offers everyone a chance to humble themselves and repent. They offer a way of salvation for those who seek Him.
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