Zephaniah 1:1-2:3

     The book opens with a declaration that what follows is the “the word of the LORD” to his messenger, the prophet, Zephaniah (Zep 1:1). Immediately, there is a pronouncement of judgment that God will bring upon the world (Zep 1:2-3), specifically “against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (Zep 1:4a). The reason for the judgment is because His covenant-people had followed idolatrous priests and worshiped Baal (Zep 1:4b), the “host of heaven” (Zep 1:5a), and blended the worship of the LORD along with the pagan god Milcom (Zep 1:5b). God’s people had “turned back from following the LORD” and “have not sought the LORD or inquired of Him” (Zep 1:6). According to the blessing and cursing aspect of the Mosaic Law (Deu 28:1-68), God was obligated to render judgment against His people who violated the covenant. Because God is extremely patient and slow to anger (Ex 34:6-7; Num 14:18; Psa 103:8), His judgments came only after He had sent repeated warnings through His prophets over several generations (see 2 Chr 36:14-17; Jer 25:1-12; 26:1-6; 32:26-35; 35:12-15; 44:2-6). God called the nation to be “silent before the LORD” and announces they were being offered as a sacrifice to the invading nation, whom He calls “guests” (Zep 1:7). “Here the prophet announced that the Lord’s day was near; He was about to intervene in human history. The Lord had prepared a sacrifice, namely, Judah (cf. Isa. 34:6; Jer. 46:10), and He had set apart ‘guests’ to eat it, namely, the Babylonians (cf. Jer. 10:25; Hab. 1:6).”[1] The judgment started with the nation’s leadership (princes), and included the king’s sons and all who adopted pagan values (Zep 1:8). It also included those who practiced robbery and violence (Zep 1:9), businessmen who financially exploited others (Zep 1:10-11), and those who were apathetic to God, who say, “The LORD will not do good or evil!” (Zep 1:12); these would be plundered and lose their wealth, homes, and fields to the invading Babylonian army (Zep 1:13). The day of the LORD was “near” (Zep 1:14a) and would come upon the nation within two decades of Zephaniah’s message. It would be a time when “the warrior cries out bitterly. A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and the high corner towers” (Zep 1:14-16). The judgment would be so severe, “they will walk like the blind” (Zep 1:17a). God’s judgment was because “they have sinned against the LORD” (Zep 1:17b). Furthermore, there would be no escape for the nation, as Judahites would not be able to use their gold and silver to buy off their attackers (Zep 1:18). God then calls the nation to “gather,” perhaps as a last offer to repent before judgment comes (Zep 2:1-2). A final word is given to the faithful remnant within the nation, saying, “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’S anger” (Zep 2:3).

 

[1] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Zep 1:7.