Title: Zephaniah
Contents
[Old Testament Prophets] - Zephaniah
Zephaniah - Prophet proclaiming the day of the Lord
1. Personal information
① Zephaniah means ‘one whom the Lord hid,’ ‘one who protects’.
② South The fourth generation of Hezekiah, the 13th king of Judah, the great-grandson of Amariah, and the son of Kushi, the grandson of Gedaliah (Zep 1:1).
③ A prophet from the royal family who was active during the reign of Josiah, the 16th king of southern Judah.
④ Author of the minor prophet Zephaniah.
2. Historical background
Zephaniah B.C. Around 630-625, he was a prophet who was mainly active during the reign of Josiah, the 16th king of southern Judah (640-609 BC). At that time, Assyria, a hegemonic power in the Near East, was rapidly declining in power with the advent of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (625-539 B.C.). At this time, Josiah implemented a strong anti-Assyrian policy, unlike the pro-Assyrian policy of his predecessors. And internally, a large-scale religious reform was carried out to restore the independence of the Israeli nation. At this time, Zephaniah spurred Josiah's Reformation by prophesying the rebuke of the Israelites for their sins and the judgment of the Lord against the nations before Josiah started the Reformation in earnest.
3. Major Life
before the ministry
birth
living in jerusalem
Zep 1:1,8-11
after work
Jehovah's Day Judgment Warning and Call to Repentance Against the People of Southern Judah
630-625 B.C.
Wet 1:2-2:3
Proclamation of judgment on the nations
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Zep 2:4-15
Proclamation of restoration to the remnant of Israel
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Zep 3:9-20
written in Zephaniah
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wet 1:1
death
4. character
① Even though he is a member of the royal family, he is determined and self-determined about injustice as he proclaimed God's judgment on the social and religious corruption of the general people, including the king and political and religious leaders (Zep 1:4-13)
② The owner of a very upright character who possesses a strong conviction in God's justice, seeing that his message about the day of the Lord is very powerful and clear (Zep 1:14-18).
③ The prophecy of the judgment of the Lord's Day has a manga-che rhyme similar to a requiem sung for the dead or a solemn funeral song, and in addition to using a lot of very beautiful sentences, a person with excellent literary talent ( 1:12, 17; 2:4; 3:11-13).
5. Redemption Historical Status
① The prophet who prophesied very clearly the contrast between the fate of the righteous and the wicked in the end through the judgment prophecy of the ‘day of the Lord’.
② The person who greatly influenced the Reformation movement of King Josiah through the people's sins, moral flaws, and harsh criticism (Zep 1:2-3; 2 Chron. 34:3-8).
6. Evaluation and Lessons Learned
① Zephaniah is announcing the arrival of the ‘day of the Lord’ as the day of God’s righteous judgment against all creation. This day prophesied of the Last Judgment Day, which will ultimately be enforced on all peoples of the world at the end of the world. Then today, on this day of final judgment, we need to look back with fear as to whether we are living the life of the wicked who will lead to eternal destruction or the life of the righteous who will receive eternal salvation and blessings.
② At a time when social, economic, and religious corruption was widespread throughout southern Judah, Zephaniah, a member of the royal family, did not neglect the situation, but stood up and sharply criticized the people around the kingdom for corruption and the crimes of the religious leaders. He called for a nationwide awakening and repentance. This makes us realize once again what the duty we are to do as saints in today's society, which is moving toward corruption, corruption, and pleasure (Zep 2:1-3).
③ Zephaniah sternly proclaims the prophecy of judgment against the rebellious people of Israel, and at the same time, confidently proclaims the fact that God will never forsake the chosen people forever and will surely restore them even during chastisement. In fact, we should strive to deliver a message of comfort to the saints who are currently suffering from trials.
7. Key scriptures
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who keep the ordinances of the Lord; seek justice and humility, for perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the wrath of the Lord (Zep 2:3).