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The Book of Zephaniah

“The Book of Zephaniah,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 189

“The Book of Zephaniah,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 189

The Book of Zephaniah

Zephaniah prophesied that the day of the Lord would come with great power upon the wicked but would provide a hopeful and wonderful future for those who seek the Lord and live righteously.

A Royal Prophet

The first verse of Zephaniah identifies him as a descendent of King Hezekiah, a righteous king of Judah who lived approximately one hundred years before this book was written. Zephaniah prophesied in the days of King Josiah, another righteous king in Judah, which means he lived about the same time as Habakkuk, Micah, and the young Jeremiah.

Getting Ready to Study Zephaniah

The book of Zephaniah contains two major ideas:

  1. The day of the Lord. The Lord will come in judgment upon people involved in sin and hypocrisy. This truth applies to the nation of Judah in Zephaniah’s time as well as to the wicked in all ages, especially those living at the time of the Second Coming.

  2. Restoration and purification. God will draw to Himself and purify people who humble themselves in the midst of His judgments.