Journey Through Zephaniah

One of my favorite verses in the Old Testament is found in the little Book of Zephaniah. At the conclusion of our journey through Zephaniah, I will share the verse with you that has encouraged me so much. The Book of Zephaniah is a much-neglected book. For example, what do you know about it? When was the last time you read the book of Zephaniah?

Listen: Journeying through Zephaniah

Overview of Zephaniah

Zephaniah’s name means “hidden of Jehovah”. That is so beautiful! It is not a name we hear often today, but consider the meaning: “hidden of Jehovah.” With all that is around you today, you are hidden in Christ, and you are hidden by God. You are in the Lord’s hand.

Zephaniah gives more of his pedigree than any other prophet. We know that he was the great-grandson of the good King Hezekiah. We also know that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah. When you read the book, you will find that he is a strong preacher. He has even been referred to as the Old Testament hellfire-and-brimstone preacher. We could use a little more of that bold, thundering forth of God’s Word today.

He was one of the last prophets of Judah before the Babylonian captivity. As a matter of fact, his time period falls between the time of King Josiah and all of his reforms and the Babylonian captivity. One fascinating thing is that, in all of Zephaniah’s preaching and prophecy, he never mentions King Josiah’s reform.

Why would that be? I believe because the reform of that day was just that. It was outward reform, but there was no inward change. There was no real repentance and revival. Zephaniah was a spiritual man who could look beyond the mechanics and the morality to the heart and see that something was still missing.

In our very religious society today, we need to look past all the church mechanics and religious motions and realize that repentance is missing. Revival has not come. We need a deep work of God in our hearts.

Key Verses of Zephaniah

There are two key verses in the Book of Zephaniah. The first is Zephaniah 1:4, where Zephaniah writes, God speaking: “I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;”

The other verse is found near the end of the book, Zephaniah 3:13, where he says, “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”

Did you notice a word in both verses? It is repeated. It is the word remnant. And two different remnants are being referred to here. There is a remnant of Baal. Remember, Baal is a false god. There are followers of a false god. He says the remnant of Baal will not escape.

Notice the other remnant. That is the remnant of Israel. Oh, friend, take heart and hope in this today. God always has a people, even in the most wicked nation and the most wicked generation. God always has a remnant. He says the remnant of Baal will be judged, but the remnant of Israel will continue.

Theme of Zephaniah

The theme of the book of Zephaniah is this: judgment brings bitterness and blessing. When we see the word judgment, negative thoughts come to our minds. We begin thinking, “Oh, this is bad. This is punishment.” Indeed, it is. But remember that God, who is a God of perfect judgment, uses even that to bring His will to pass. Judgment tends to bring bitterness at first. But in the end, a blessing. Much like the writer of Hebrews, who says that the Lord’s chastening for the present is not enjoyable. Oh, but in the long run, it is profitable. That is Zephaniah’s emphasis in this little book.

The Day of the Lord

When we think of the phrase “the day of the Lord,” we think of the prophet Joel. However, Zephaniah uses that phrase more than any other prophet. He is speaking about the day of the Lord, the day of judgment. That will bring bitterness. That is the extent of judgment. But in the end, it will bring blessings. That is the intent of judgment. I am so glad that when the Lord brings His judgment, it is always because He wants to bring his back to Himself.

The poet Charles Kingsley once wrote the following words in a hymn:

The Day of the Lord is at hand, at hand;

Its storms roll up the sky;

The nations sleep starving on heaps of gold;

All dreamers toss and sigh;

The night is darkest before the morn;

When the pain is sorest the child is born.

And the day of the Lord at hand, at hand,

The day of the Lord at hand.

You see, the day of the Lord is a new day. It is the dawn of a new season. God says, you may be living through the night right now. You may be in travail in your land right now. But I want you to know, I am going to do something. I am going to change all of this. When the book opens, you see God smiting his people. There is retribution. But when it closes, you see the Lord smiling upon His people. Here is a word of restoration.

My Favorite Verse in Zephaniah

Now, examine my favorite verse in the Book of Zephaniah. Oh, I do love it. I wish you to learn it. It is found in Zephaniah 3:17: “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.” 

There is a lot about the Lord in that verse. For example, God is in the midst. I am so glad He is in the midst, no matter what the circumstances are. Then you should notice He is mighty. This is His power. The Bible says He will save. Oh, praise God, He is the Savior! It says something about His love, and that is beautiful as well.

What Makes God Sing

Consider this phrase: “he will rejoice over thee with joy;…He will joy over thee with singing.” I wonder, what makes God sing? The one thing that makes God sing is when people come back to Him. When people return to Him and repent of their sin, and when they look to Him in faith. Do you recall when the prodigal son came home in Jesus’ parable? Who rejoiced the most? The father did. He said, “Kill the fatted calf, bring the best robe, and put it on him.” He is rejoicing over him.

Remember, the Lord Jesus said that when one sinner repents, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels. I have heard many people teach that it means the angels rejoice. I do not believe that is what the verse means at all. The angels do not understand redemption. They cannot sing this new song. The Bible says it is in the presence of the angels. Who is surrounded by angels today? The Father is. Our God of salvation is. And when a sinner repents and comes to Christ and is gloriously saved, God sings. When a backslider comes home, God sings. When a believer gets thoroughly right with God, God sings. As a nation repents and sees revival in spiritual awakening, God sings.

Would you like to hear God sing today? Would you like to bring joy to the heart of God, who loves you so much that He gave His son for you? Then look to the Lord today. He is in the midst. He is right where you are at this moment. The Lord knows all about you. He knows you better than you know yourself.

As surely as in Zephaniah’s day, it is true in ours. The God of judgment does not just want to bring bitterness; He wants to bring you through that to blessing. He wants a new day to dawn in your life. Look to the Lord who is in the midst of you today.

---

About Scott Pauley

---

Related Article: Indispensable Factors In Revival

Indispensable Factors In Revival