Old Testament - Zapahaniah 1-3 - November 30, 2022

11/30/2022 – Zaphaniah 1-3

Zaphaniah, I’ve just learned, lived during the seventh century B.C. He was a prophet in Judah.

The interesting thing I’m finding with this reading of the Old Testament, is that the words of many of the ancient prophets can apply to the time in which they are living AND to future times. That makes sense as the Lord’s commandments for us on this earth haven’t really changed since the beginning of this earth’s time. At this particular time of Zephaniah, a foreign army is threatening destruction of the Israelites (who just can’t seem to be able to get their act together), and the things they needed to realize in those times are very close to the things we need to realize in in our times. The Lord has let his prophets tell us throughout all times that there will be great destruction, especially of the wicked, that will proceed the Second Coming of Christ. My study manual says “the blessings of Lord promised to the righteous inhabitants of Jerusalem can foreshadow the blessings the righteous will receive at the Second Coming. But that statement is in relation to Zephaniah 3:12-20….and right now, I’m beginning at Zephaniah 1:1.

Chapter 1

There is no difference here as we consider the prophets I’ve been reading from in the Old Testament. Like so many of the other prophets, Zephaniah prophesies that God will destroy the people of Judah if they do not repent! 

In v 3, Zaphaniah tells the people what the Lord has said to him: “I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked….” He goes on in the following verses to tell them what He is doing for the good of the Israelites: “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 [false god] from the place, and the name of Chemarims [idolatrous priests]…And them that are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for him.” (v’s 4-6) He continues in v’s 12-13: “And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees [complacent, indifferent]: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil…they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.”

Zephaniah’s prophecies are coming BEFORE the devastation the Lord is telling them about. “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness” (v15)

Chapter 2

We should take careful note of this, as these terrible times are prophesied to be repeated in the last days for the last time. The Lord is pleading with us all to seek righteousness and meekness: “Before the decree bring forth, BEFORE the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought the judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (v’s 2-3)

In v 10 the Lord is very specific in how the Israelites are going wrong: “This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts.”  And v 15 sadly tells us: “This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for the beasts to lie down in!...”

Chapter 3

Once again we need to remember that the Second Coming will be much like what is about to happen to the Israelites now. The Lord explains again to us in v 2: “She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.”  He is reminding us that following His commandments and relying on Him will lead us to His help and the comfort He gives to us. He is telling me very clearly to seek obedience, humility, repentance, and His spirit, and to NOT do that is for us to be at risk

Look at v’s 3-4….they remind me of what is going on right now in our society: “Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are flight and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.”

We wonder why the Lord can be so destructive…it’s because He has been unable to get our full attention in any other way!  

V 8: “…for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured...” I read this and wonder is this how He will gather all nations and speak to us all at one time, and we will not be separated, and thus, not put all the blame on others.


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