by Alexis Faubel [DCXA at AU]
Zephaniah served as a prophet from 640-621 BC. As one of God’s prophets, Zephaniah spoke to the people of Judah - the southern kingdom of Israel divided after King Solomon’s death. Zephaniah’s role was to wake the people up out of their complacency, and urge them to return to God.
At the time of this book, Zephaniah was probably near the end of his ministry, while King Josiah of Judah (the last good King of Judah) was trying to reverse the evil habits set by the previous two kings. Zephaniah impacted King Josiah, as his prophecy may have been the motivating factor in Josiah’s reform of the nation as he worked to turn it back to God.
The main themes of this book can be broken down into three parts: The day of judgment - destruction was coming because Judah had denied God. Indifference to God - God’s demands for righteous living seemed irrelevant to the Judeans, whose security and wealth had made them complacent. And the day of cheer / hope - after judgment, God will purify His people, purging away all the sin and evil, and will restore them and give them hope.
Zephaniah’s main message can be summarized as: A day will come when God judges all nations for their actions against, and indifference to, His Kingship. However, He will show mercy to all who have been faithful to Him. This message can be directly applied today, and can be considered by us as we make decisions to act in favor of, or be indifferent towards God.
A key verse in Zephaniah is: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:3) This verse reminds us to obey The Lord, to value righteous and humble living, and to look forward to the hope of salvation.