365 Reflections

The book of Zephaniah ends on a beautiful note of hope. A famous line describes God's love for His people and rings deeply in the heart of every grateful saint He has saved. As the prophets began in Isaiah, so Zephaniah continues here, some will be saved from the day of judgment.  Isaiah 1:9 (ESV) If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah. What should be our response to this great salvation? Zephaniah 3:14–15 (ESV) Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. The Lord's remnant is called to sing, for they have escaped the judgment against the city. How? Through their humility and seeking the Lord, as was mentioned in verse 11. And then that remnant is promised God's prote...

If you ever get frustrated with the sort of people who claim to be Christians and clearly are not by their lifestyle and beliefs, which they promote and practice, do not be alarmed. Zephaniah makes clear that many in his day believed they were God's people, but the day of judgment separated the remnant from among them.  The prophet begins chapter three, condemning the "holy" city.  Zephaniah 3:1–2 (ESV) Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! 2 She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God. Jerusalem was a shell of religious pretense. She looked pious, but inwardly was far removed from pure devotion to God.  Zephaniah 3:3–4 (ESV) Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning. 4 Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law. Notably, and again emphasized by t...

Zephaniah has one of the most descriptive passages on the Day of the Lord in all the prophets. It begins as such in chapter 1.  Zephaniah 1:14 (ESV) The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. While Joel speaks the most about the Day of the Lord, Zephaniah details the utter destruction that day will involve, far more than other prophets. Like Joel, Zephaniah speaks of blood and trumpet sounds. This is military imagery that would not be missed by an ancient people.  Zephaniah 1:15–16 (ESV) A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. Instead of the blood of sacrifices, Zephaniah speaks of the blood of men.  Zephaniah 1:17 (ESV) I will bring distress on mankind, so th...

We come to the prophesies of Zephaniah. He is another minor prophet with a major message. His book is not often preached or referenced, but it is still powerful. His name is like the treatment his book receives today. Zephaniah means, "concealed of God". As we discover truth on these pages, we uncover the Lord's Word for our good.  Zephaniah 1:1 (ESV)  The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.  Zephaniah prophesied after the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria and during the days of King Josiah, a great reformer who purified the temple and brought back acceptable worship to Israel. Yet the die had been cast through Josiah's predecessors, and disaster was still awaiting the southern kingdom of Judah.  A prophetess named Huldah delivered this message during his reforms: 2 Kings 22:18–20 (ESV) But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire ...