The Book of Zephaniah
Zephaniah warns of the coming day of the LORD against pride and complacency, and ends with the tender promise that God rejoices over his people with singing.
- Testament
- Old (3 chapters)
- Type
- Minor Prophet
- Author
- Zephaniah, of royal Judean descent.
- Date
- During the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC).
The great day of the LORD
Zephaniah's vision of universal judgment ('I will utterly consume all things from off the land' — 1:2) is severe. It targets specifically religious complacency — those 'settled on their lees' (1:12), assuming God will neither bless nor punish.
God's joy over his people
The book's last paragraph is one of the Bible's most tender lines: 'The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty... he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing' (3:17). After three chapters of storm, this is sunrise.
Key verses (KJV)
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (KJV)
“The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth.” — Zephaniah 2:11 (KJV)
“Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth.” — Zephaniah 2:3 (KJV)
How to read Zephaniah
Three chapters; one sitting. Don't skip the storm to get to the sunrise — they belong together. The closing verses (3:14-20) deserve memorization.
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