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Zephaniah was a prophet of royal blood. Although not of the ruling line, he was the second-great-grandson (or great, great grandson as the non-genealogically inclined usually say) of King Hezekiah. In verse 1 Hezekiah is rendered "Hizkiah." Therefore, Zephaniah was distantly related to Josiah, the king who was reigning at the time that God spoke to Zephaniah.
His message was that judgment is coming! The great day of the LORD is near!
Does God issue any commands?
- God told Zephaniah to hold his peace. (Perhaps Zephaniah felt the need to protest against what God was saying to him.)
Does God make any promises?
- God told Zephaniah of His plan to destroy or move everything off the land because of the people's idolatry. Evidently Josiah could institute outward reform but he could not reform their hearts!
- Judgment would come even to the king's children.
- There would be noisy crying and howling from the fish gate and in other places.
- God would search out men hiding in darkness saying that God would not do anything one way or the other. Those men's riches would be a bounty for the invaders. They would not live in the houses they built or eat from the vineyards they planted.
Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?
- Silver and gold are not enough to deliver someone from destruction. Only Jesus can deliver from the day of God's wrath.
Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?
- Zephaniah's warning is pertinent to us today. Judgment is coming! The great day of the LORD is near!
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Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14 (KJV)