The book of Zephaniah

The historical background and purpose of the prophet.

The book Zephaniah was written down during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (640-609 BC). It was Zephaniah who wrote the book and he lived in Judah.

The reason why this prophetic book is written is that it had become customary to worship other gods and engage in what the Bible calls idolatry. This means that they worshiped the sun, moons, stars or other objects instead of God. When they break the covenant they had made with God, God uses Zephaniah to tell them that they must face the consequences of their actions.

Zephaniah prophesies of what he calls the Day of Judgment. The term describes the day when the Lord will deal with all injustice, lies and immorality that people do, and that they must be accountable for what they have done. God's purpose is not to give vent to his anger, but to save the righteous from being dragged into the filth they are surrounded by. But most of all God wants all to repent, so he will not have to carry out the consequences of people's breaking of the covenant.

For the righteous “that day” will always be a relief. Therefore God tells people that he is in the midst of them, and even the inhabitants of the country should rejoice, because God eventually will take away all the enemies and that God rejoiced over the people.
Source: SVB, NB, www.Bibelsiden.no

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

1.6 – He gives His people possibility to seek guidance and blessings

1.9-18 He judges and is jealous that His people seek Him – his is Justice 3.5

2.7 He wants to visit His people in kindness and restore prosperity

3:17 – mighty savior

3:17 – rejoice over us

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

 He wants to restore the close relationship with His people by “Then I will purify the speech of all people, so that everyone can worship the Lord together “ 3.9

I think the scripture in 3:17-18 mentioned above, is a description of Gods redemptive plan because He is called a mighty savior, He will delight in us with gladness and with His love He will calm all our fears.

Personal Application:

This book we were also reading in my time of heaviness – and the anger of the Lord in ch 1 – was almost physically making me sick. The latter verses in 3.17- has been some of my favorites, so I was comforted by reading them over an over – and as it says it calmed my fears.  The introduction to Zephaniah have listed the imperatives in this book – and it spoke out to me as the circle of living:

We need the whole circle to live whole lives – and all is important. I especially like the “get together 3 times ”– because I think being in a fellowship and to gather with others, is a very important and god- willed  “strategy” to keep us on track. Ef.3.18 – together with the saints we will understand God.

Point of passion:

” To keep the reservation possibility for physicians in Norway, in matters of conscience”.

In verse 1.6 it says ” they no longer as for God’s guidance or seek my blessing” and I think that is an important matter in many issues in the area of making laws and regulations in our western countries. We once had a Law of constitution that was based on Gods principles and the value of man, but little by little sentences has been removed or added to – and I just pray for our new government to be able to keep standing on the agreement they had on this POP topic. I pray that the word fighting may stop or being lifted up to a more general ethic discussion about life/ death matters.