Zephaniah

Zephaniah was a prophet during the reign of Josiah.
What do you recall about the reign of Josiah? What events took place?

There were several important things that happened during these years (640-609 BC):
-Religious reforms
-removing idols and other places of worship in and around Jerusalem
-a remodeling of the temple (a ritual cleansing of sorts)
-a discovery of a book of the law (Deuteronomy?)
-a renewed faith for the community (that included an observance of the Passover.)

Zephaniah's prophecy came at a time after these things were in process, yet he saw that not all of them were taking hold and making real and lasting differences!

1. Zephaniah pronounced the great judgment for all the earth, especially for those (in Judah) who had bowed to others: idols, rulers, anything other than God.
2. The judgment was upon those who treated people badly (against the "law")
-it was a turning away from God's way (God's authority)
-They were living under a divine anarchy (outside the law of God)
-the wealthy trusted their wealth
-the strong trusted their strength
-the merchants trusted their profits
-the leaders trusted their power

3. The Day of the Lord (What images come to mind with the "Day of the Lord"?)
-1:14 bitter; 1:15 distress & anguish; darkness, gloom, clouds all because of sin.

What is sin? chata/amartia or missing the mark, to offend.
Sin can be any miss of the target, whether aiming and missing, or not aiming at the right target, all are misses, all are sin in the eyes of God. (It's like throwing strikes to the first baseman, they don't count!)

So wo will be punished? The sinful, the proud, those who pay no mind to God.
But who will be found worthy? the humble, the faithul

4. How is Jerusalem (and it's people) defiled?
-Because they have not trusted in God, they failed to "come near to God"

5. Main Themes of Zephaniah:
-Authority of God: any other authority is an affront to God.
-While judgment comes to all, punishment is for those who miss God.
-There is relief for the faithful...

...those who save the lame, who gather the outcast, God will bring you home!