I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord
Zephaniah 1:2
Prophet Zephaniah was the 4th generation descendent of King Hezekiah, who was a good king of Judah. (715-686 BC. 2 Chronicles 29-32). According to Zeph.1:1, he prophesied during the reign of King Josiah(640-609 BC). He preached God’s approaching judgement on Judah and was asking them to repent and to turn to God.
A. Warning against Judah. Zeph.1:4-6.
a. “I will stretch out my hand against Judah.. idolatrous priests. 1:4.
Priests and people were worshipping the Lord and also pagan gods. (see Deut.4:15-19, 2 Kings 17:16; 21:3).
Today, can we see people and leaders in the Church, who worship other gods also or follow some of their practices?
b. Punishment against the princes. 1:8. because of their sins.
search Jerusalem with lamps. v.12 – The Babylonians later dragged people from houses, streets, tombs…where they had hidden.
B. The Great Day of the Lord. 1:14-18.
Describes the destruction that will sweep the earth because of God’s wrath. That will be a day of wrath, distress and anguish, trouble and ruin, darkness and gloom. 1:14,15. Because they have sinned against the Lord. 1:17. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. Zeph.1:18.
C. Disobedient people and corrupt leaders
Inspite of continuous warning through the prophets…
a. People are still oppressors, rebellious and defiled. Zeph.3:1.
b. People “accept no correction”, “do not trust in the Lord.” 3:2.
c. Sins of the leaders. Zeph. 3:3,4.
- Officials are roaring lions.
- Rulers are evening wolves.(see Micah 3:3)
- Prophets are arrogant and treacherous.
Claiming to be prophets of the Lord, they proclaimed only lies. Zeph.3:4. (please see Jeremiah 5:31; 14:14; 23:16,32).
- Priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law. Zeph.3:4 (please see Jeremiah 23:11; Ezekiel 23:26)
As they continued to sin, inspite of the warnings, Jersusalem was completely destroyed and Judah taken to captivity by the Babylonians in 586 BC. (please read Jeremiah 52).
How is our Christian life? Are we people who fully obey the Lord or…?
In Zeph.3:1-4, people and their leaders. Can we see such members and leaders in the Church today?
Let us repent and return to God in all areas of our life.
Rev.C.V.Abraham.