How to read Zephaniah

Zephaniah will seem more interesting if you grasp the historical situation in which he wrote. For the decadence that led to King Josiah’s reforms, read 2 Kings 21. Josiah’s history is told in chapters 22 and 23. Second Chronicles 33-35 tells the same story with slightly different details.

Zephaniah is easily understood. It has a clear and symmetrical structure, opening (after a brief introduction) with a warning of judgment for Judah and its capital of Jerusalem, then extending the judgment to Judah’s neighbors, and closing in chapter 3 with good news about Jerusalem.

Beyond Darkness

(A worldwide catastrophe and a shining light)

Z

EPHANIAH WROTE NOT LONG AFTER Manasseh had ended his 50-year reign in Judah. One of the worst Kings on record, Manasseh had idol worship and child sacrifice as common practice. He had built altars for star worshippers of God’s temple and had encouraged male prostitution as part of the religious rituals. He had also “shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end” (2 Kings 21:16). His son Amon carried on in the same way during his short reign.

Then came King Josiah, who took the throne at the age of eight, after his father’s assassination. The Bible says there was never a King like Josiah (2 Kings 23:25). He led a reform, destroying all the pagan gods/idols and restoring the temple. He organized the first Passover celebrations in generations.

Zephaniah, who was probably related to the King through his great-great-grandfather King Hezekiah, apparently spoke just before the big changes. The nation’s future hung in the balance, and Zephaniah’s words may well have helped tip it toward renewal of faith in God.

From Gloom to Exultation

Zephaniah’s book begins in deep gloom. Like other prophets, he condemned the sins of his nation and predicted judgment from God. But he went one big step further. He talked repeatedly about “the day of the LORD” and saw that it will be a supernatural event sweeping clean the whole planet. Zephaniah offered no hope that it could be avoided. The Lord had warned and pleaded, but to no avail (3:6-7). Zephaniah saw hope for a minority only. A faithful, humble remnant could be sheltered from disaster if they would seek God.

Beyond the judgment fires, Zephaniah saw something remarkably bright. He predicted that a purified remnant of God's people , truthful and humble, would trust in God. He foresaw a remade world learning to worship God.   

Therefore the short book, which starts with such gloom, ends with an ecstatic song of joy: an anticipation of the kingdom to come after the judgment. God’s blessing will flow freely as every nation worships him. Zephaniah’s words may have been influential in encouraging Josiah’s reforms, but his vision extended far beyond. The New Testament speaks often, like Zephaniah, of the worldwide judgment and a renewed world to come.