Zephaniah
Background:
Zephaniah is a young prophet who preaches during the reign of a young king, Josiah. Josiah came to the throne of Judah in 640 bc and reigned for thirty-one years.
The voice of prophecy has been silent for some seventy years — since the days of Isaiah and Micah. Despite the terrible fate of Samaria in 722 bc, the people of Judah have steeped themselves in paganism. King Manasseh has ignored his father Hezekiah’s godly example and reverted to the Baal-worship of his grandfather Ahaz. Manasseh’s long, evil and violent reign (696–642 bc) has seen Judah following Assyrian practices of nature-worship and astrology. Nature worship has involved the gross immorality of fertility rites and bloodshed. Astrology has bred widespread superstition and fear.[1]
****************************
Zeph. 1:1-13: Warning of Coming Judgment Against the World, Judah and Jerusalem
Ø Compare verses 1:2-3 with John’s account in Revelation 16.
Ø Notice the interesting form of this prophecy:
a Judgment on all the earth (1:2-3)
bJudgment on Judah and Jerusalem (1:4-2:3)
cJudgment on the surrounding nations (2:4-15)
b‘ Judgment on Jerusalem (3:1-7)
Ø Why did God poor out His judgment on Judah and Jerusalem? Is there any application for us?
Ø To what does the “day of the Lord” in verse 7 refer? Is there an early and later fulfillment of the “day of the Lord”? Explain.
Ø Can you name a time (and Biblical reference) that would confirm that God did poor out this judgment on Judah and Jerusalem?
Zeph. 1:14-3:8: The Great Day of the Lord and Judgment against the World
Ø What does the Lord mean when he says that “the day of the Lord is near”? Application for us?
Ø According to this passage, why is the Lord’s anger and judgment imminent?
Ø According to Zephaniah, what will happen to this world as we know it after the Lord pours out His wrath?
Ø According to verses 2:1-3 is there any escape from God’s wrath? What does this teach us about God?
Ø Why will God pour out His wrath against the nations? Is there any application for us?
Zeph. 3:9-20: God’s Grace and the Establishment of His Kingdom
Ø What will God do after His great wrath? Has this happened yet?
Ø What type of people will make up the remnant of Israel?
Ø Describe the world as Zephaniah sees it after God’s wrath has been poured out. Have we ever seen anything like this? What a glorious day that will be!
No comments:
Post a Comment