Zephaniah

Book Reviews aim to provide succinct, thoughtful summaries of books I have read. Each review contains quotes from the book, thoughts from others, and also some thoughts of my own. Typically they will be structured in the following order: author, introduction, message and purpose, remarkable chapter, and conclusion. This review will cover Zephaniah, a book written over 2,600 years ago and one that is part of a larger collection of books called The Bible.

Zephaniah

Author

Zephaniah

Introduction

One of the Minor Prophets, the book of Zephaniah focuses on the need to live in righteousness before God. Of all the prophets, Zephaniah probably gave the most forceful description of judgment, but he also lifted up the possibility of restoration for those who repented and turned to righteousness.

Message and Purpose

Zephaniah's primary purpose was to extend an urgent invitation. He urged the people of Judah to seek Yahweh alone in righteousness and humility. The immediate purpose was to warn idolatrous Judah of the Lord's imminent judgment. The ultimate purpose was to call out a "remnant" from all nations to trust in Yahweh because of the coming day of His judgment upon the earth.

The Day of the Lord. In biblical times, capturing a city through siege warfare took months or even years; only a truly mighty warrior king would claim to win a battle or even a war in a single day. The Day of the Lord was any time He "visited" earth, whether to punish His enemies or save His people.

The Remnant. Zephaniah emphasized that God's seemingly all-inclusive judgment was not inconsistent with preserving a few survivors, called the "remnant" or "remained" of His people. Although God would destroy the wicked of Judah and their foreign neighbors, He promised to preserve a remnant—including even foreign peoples—to worship Yahweh.

God's titles. Yahweh is both God of Israel and Lord of Hosts, sovereign ruler over all armies of heaven and earth. Yahweh, King of Israel, is both "warrior" and "Yahweh your God" who saves His people. Second, "the Lord God", universal Master of the earth, pours out His wrath in the Day of the Lord upon both idolatrous and complacent worshipers.

Remarkable Chapter

Of the three chapters in Zephaniah, the final restoration promised in the back end of the third chapter contains some wonderfully good news. Rejoice in the promises found in verses fourteen through seventeen:

"Sing for joy, Daughter of Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has removed your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you; you need no longer fear harm.

On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: 'Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak. Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.'"

Conclusion

The promise of a remnant illustrates God's amazing grace counterbalancing His jealous wrath and blazing fury against the wicked. He would judge the proud nations and purge the haughty braggarts from His people to preserve the humble. Thus Zephaniah provides a clear invitation to everyone who humbly obeys the Lord to seek Him for possible deliverance. This is great news!