Bible

In the Bible room today, we are reading the summary of the three chapters of the book of Zephaniah.

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Zephaniah

Introduction to Zephaniah:

Writer: Zephaniah.

Scope: The date of this prophecy is approximately concurrent with that of Jeremiah and Habakkuk in the range of 640-600 b.c. during the reign of King Josiah in Judah.

Chapter 1. Devastation

This book is the word of the Lord given to the prophet Zephaniah:

• He is a fourth-generation descendant of King Hezekiah of Judah;
• His prophecy is given during the reign of King Josiah in Judah;
• The Lord says He intends to destroy everything on the land;
• He will clear out all signs of idol worship from Judah and Jerusalem;
• Many people have sworn oaths, both by the Lord and by the idols;
• The Lord is preparing a sacrifice for Himself, His guests are invited;
• And when that day comes He is going to dole out punishments;
• He is going to search Jerusalem and find the unbelievers;
• The coming day of the Lord will be a bitter day, a day of:
• Wrath, trouble, distress, devastation, desolation, and darkness;
• The people have sinned, and their blood shall be spilled like dust;
• Their gold and silver will not be able to save them;
• Their whole land shall be devoured by the Lord.

Chapter 2. Desolation

The prophet urges his people to gather together and seek righteousness:

• He says they should repent before the day of the Lord’s wrath;
• Then, perhaps, the Lord will spare them His judgement;
• The Lord declares vengeance upon the nations around Judah;
• There will be no survivors after the day of the Lord’s anger;
• The Lord is going to redeem Judah, give them all the lands;
• The sword of the Lord will reach south to Ethiopia;
• And it will extend north to destroy Nineveh and Assyria;
• Those who thought they were the best, most secure people,
• Will become a place despised, a land of desolation.

Chapter 3. Rejoicing

One day Jerusalem will be rejoicing at the faithfulness of the Lord:

• But that city has not trusted the Lord, will not receive correction;
• She is led by corrupt leaders and judges, and it is a lawless city;
• Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, there is no shame;
• But the Lord is righteous. He never fails;
• He has done everything to try to spare His people;
• But all day, every day they have corrupted their city;
• The Lord says the day is coming when He will gather His people;
• They are scattered among all the nations, but He will restore them;
• He will destroy the enemy nations, and He will spare His people;
• He is going to put them all back together with one language;
• And they will once again call on the name of the Lord;
• He will remove from among them all the rebellious ones;
• The remnant of His people shall then dwell in peace and safety;
• The people of Jerusalem are encouraged to sing and be glad;
• And the Lord will rejoice over His people with singing and gladness;
• The Lord will deal with every nation who has afflicted His people;
• He is going to gather His people from among the nations;
• And they will be blessed with fame and praise from everywhere.

End of the summary of the book of Zephaniah.