ZEPHANIAH CHAPTER 3

A NEW HOPE[11.12.11]

I. INTRODUCTION: Ch.1: Zephaniah was serving King Josiah of

Judah, [640-609BC], idolatry rampant, child sacrifice to Molech, Baal- and star- worship [1:4,5]

Although a good king and reformer, his reforms were short-lived [2Chr34:1-3]

God warned through Zephaniah about a future punishment upon the whole world, including Jerusalem

Called “Day of the Lord” sinful humanity would not be able to escape punishment for idolatry

God will punish princes, king’s sons, those of violence, deceit [1:8,9]

That dreadful Day was at hand [1:14]; riches cannot deliver anyone [1:18]

Ch.2: a call for national repentance before God’s anger was upon them [2:1,2].

Zephaniah encouraged the people to “look within” themselves to seek the Lord, righteousness, humility [2:3]

They were also advised to “look around” to see God’s wrath upon Philistia where its cities will be desolated [2:4]

The Kerethite people destroyed

Moab, Ammon will be like Sodom and Gomorrah because of pride and mocking God’s people [2:8-11]

Ethiopia [2:12]: slain by the sword Assyria and Nineveh [2:13-15]: desolatedGod judged foreign nations for their attitude

to JudahHe also used them to discipline Judah when

His people do evil. As a good father, God disciplines His children

[He12:7,8]

WOE TO JERUSALEM [3:1-8]Zephaniah told the people that they have

been obstinate, • deliberately rebellious against God, • resistant to His appeal, • not drawing near to Him [3:1-4] They have ignored God’s judgment upon

other nations [3:6-7]. Civil and religious leaders were insolent,

they violated the Law.

JOY IN JERUSALEM [3:9-18]Lest the faithful remnant despair, he told

the people to wait, [to long] for the Lord to carry out His judgment [3:8].

God will restore to a remnant a “pure language” [cleansed of sinful pride and idolatry] to worship and serve Him [3:9] with joy and in humility.

His dispersed people [Israel] will come from afar to worship Him [3:10]

God will remove the proud and haughty, leaving meek and humble people who will do no wrong, tell no lies, to trust and rest in the Lord [3:11-13].

He will remove their judgment and their enemies [3:15]

God will live in the midst of His people, rejoicing over them with love and singing [3:17].

Imagine God singing!!

HIS PEOPLE WILL BE EXALTED [3:18-20] The Lord ended the prophecy with hope

for the godly remnant of Judah. He will deal with those who afflicted His

people. He will restore His people, drawing them

out of every tribe, tongue and nation [3:19]

Once despised, His people will return exalted in everyone’s eyes [3:20] with praise and fame in every land where they were once put to shame.

Thus, it’s important we bring the gospel to all ethnic groups and make disciples [Mt28:18-20]

SOME FOOTNOTESNotice both Zephaniah and Revelation: • Begin with judgment on God’s people

[Israel and the Church respectively]• Tell of judgments on other nations

[Zeph.2, Rev.4-15]• Dwell on the Day of Judgment [Zeph3:1-

8, Rev.20]

• Mention God providing a place to His people where they can live forever

[Old Jerusalem in Zep3:9-20 and New Jerusalem in Rev21,22]

• In Zephaniah, God comes as King, in Revelation, Jesus comes again as King.

Although an obscure OT book, Zephaniah is central to understanding of the future.

II. CONCLUSION• A simple message: Judgment is coming,

blessings will follow for penitent ones. • His message is similar to the apostles’:

repent [Ac3:19]; live holy and godly lives [2Pe3:10,11b]; be blameless [2Pe3:14].

• Are we heeding this message?