The Prophet Zephaniah

           There is little known about Zephaniah. His genealogy goes back four (4) generations to King Hezekiah; therefore, he is the lone prophet that descended from royal blood.  He prophesied during the reign of King Josiah (640-609 BC). His prophecies regarding the moral and spiritual conditions in Israel seem to place the time prior to King Josiah’s reforms, when the people were still practicing idolatry and wickedness. 

Zephaniah most likely prophesied from the years 635-625 BC. It is also known that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah and a predecessor of Habakkuk.  Like Habakkuk before him, Zephaniah was sent to Judah to warn them of their sins. In their prosperity they had forsaken the Lord.  Even today it is a great temptation to shrug off ones need for God once one is financially set. That is unfortunate, because we need the Lord everyday, all the time to endure this life into eternity. Complacency is a terrible enemy of faith and Zephaniah was warning the people of Judah that if they refused to repent of their sins the entire nation, including the great city of Jerusalem, would be destroyed. Sin, if unchecked, will grow in depth and breadth like a wind blown fire, raging out of control. But know this, those who sin will pay the price for their continued insolent behavior.

            Chapter 1, verse 1 thru chapter 3, verse 8 speaks of God’s day of judgment. The final 12 verses of the book (3:9-20) speak of a day of hope. Read the language used to describe the judgment coming against Judah. “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” says the Lord. “I will sweep away people and animals alike. I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish in the sea. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, and I will wipe humanity from the face of the earth,” says the Lord. It is very clear that God’s anger burns against sin. It is something we must avoid. Our goal isn’t perfection; it’s our attempt at perfection in spite of continued failures.

            “A day will come when God, as judge, will severely punish all nations. But after judgment, he will show mercy to all who have been faithful to him. We will all be judged for our disobedience to God; but if we remain faithful to him, he will show us mercy.” * 

Next we shall take a look at Haggai. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

* Note from p.1933 in the book of Zephaniah.