The book of zephaniah has been called a compendium of the oracles of the prophets3 and the readers digest of old testament prophecy. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniah s great. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah. In the middle of the 7 years some events will take place that are mentioned in the books of revelation and daniel.
The book begins by telling of gods judgement on the kingdom of judah. To explain what the short threechapter book of zephaniah is all about, i should start with a little perspective. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of coming judgment and to encourage repentance. In this case, it refers primarily to gods impending time of judgment on the nation of judah. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. We have clear evidence of what was intended in both the prophecies of habakkuk which spoke about the cushites, or cushan, and in zephaniah where the king.
His penpictures of the plaguestricken land, the invading locustarmy, and the final gathering of all nations to the valley of judgment, are miniature masterpieces of graphic vigor. Apr 28, 2019 the day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. The book of zephaniah contains no direct messianic prophecies, but the prophets focus on the day of the lord as the time of judgment and blessing connects his message with the work of christ. In the first two chapters of his book, the prophet zephaniah will relate the day of the lord to. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. I dare say that few have ever heard a sermon on zephaniah. Zephaniah contemporary of jeremiah preached around 625 bc king manasseh is dead after a reign of 55 years the most evil king in judah he was the exact opposite of his father king hezekiah. The words of zephaniah contain one of my favorite bible verses. Such a deep, emotional book, flilled with character. Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc.
The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Sep 03, 2007 teachers dead by benjamin zephaniah pdf. Zephaniah commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. Fortunately for judah it would not be long before josiah would begin his glorious reign, and it was during the revival that took place during this period that zephaniah began to prophesy. This is the holy book of zephaniah, known simply as zephaniah. And the temple, he states, fares no better because the priests do not teach gods word, nor do the prophets speak the truth. Josiah was a godly, young king who brought great revival and reform to judah but josiah reigned for 10 years before he led his great revival. Zephaniah lived during one of the worst times in the history of judah, under the evil reign of king manasseh. Overview of the book of zephaniah reformed answers to. The book of zephaniah was written from 640609 bc, during the reign of king josiah who brought spiritual renewal and reform to judah after the long and devastating reign of king manasseh. The book of zephaniah refers to this period of time mentioned in the book of revelation.
To call the people of jerusalem and judah to repentance in the face of the babylonian invasion and hope in a grand restoration after the time of destruction and exile. Zephaniah is concerned with matters relative to the day of the lord as a time of judgment for sinful men and of purification for a redeemed people. Palmer robertson, the books of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah. If youve been with me since i started this series on the minor prophets, you might have noticed a pattern that emerged since we started this series. Zephaniah likens the corrupt court officials to roar ing lions, and the judges as evening wolves. By this the godly harmony is shown in the prophecies of such different men who have lived at totally different times but who always presented the one goal of god. I, myself am ethiopian and i learnt so much about what refugees went through as a result of the conflict. Click download or read online button to get refugee boy by benjamin zephaniah pdf book now. The date of zephaniahs prophecy is given as in the days of josiah the son of amon, king of judah.
Refugee boy available for download and read online in other formats. Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. Message of zephaniah this book mentions the day of the lord more than does any other book in the old testament, clarifying the picture of judahs fall to abylon and the eventual judgment and restoration of all humanity in the future. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. Digital rights management drm the publisher has supplied this book in encrypted form, which means that you need to install free software in order to unlock and read it. Book of zephaniah simple english wikipedia, the free.
The fearsome day of the lords anger commentary on the book of zephaniah pdf rich cathers. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. His genealogy traces him back to hezekiah although a few hebrew mss and the syriac read hilkiah. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of king josiah, who was on the. A and a spirit took me and brought me up into the fifth heaven.
Strange to say, zephaniah preached during the reign of godly king josiah, and it was a time of religious revival ii kings 2223. Dec 01, 2017 the book of zephaniah read by alexander scourby. Zephaniah was likely written in the years before the revival, and god used this prophecy to bring and further revival. Who is zephaniah and why is he important in the bible. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Introduction286 the book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. During the coming tribulation period mankind will suffer greatly. The coming day of the lord will bring judgment on the wicked, both jews and gentiles, and restoration for a righteous remnant which will include both jews and gentiles. Refugee boy 2001 read online free book by benjamin. The structure of the book of zephaniah includes three major sections 1.
And the diadem was set upon them in the holy spirit, and the throne of each of them was sevenfold more brilliant than. In chapter two, the book of zephaniah is introduced with a quotation which denies. Judgment is coming, but grace and mercy are still available for those who earnestly seek it. This is, in my opinion, the best and most beautiful recording of. Bloomsbury childrens 1 491 0 summary in the moving and compelling debut novel from benjamin zephaniah, a young mans life is completely changed when his face is badly scarred in a car accident. Study scripture verses and use highlighting, underlining, and take notes in the bible. Outline of the book of zephaniah woe to her that is rebellious and polluted. I love the main character, alem, who goes through so much in this story. Pdf the book of zephaniah 2018 edition gary everett. The following notes on the book of zephaniah were compiled from a bible study. Click download or read online button to get the book of zephaniah book now. Timothy jackson the day of the lord and the joy of the lord in. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want.
The importance of discourse analysis in bible translation is briefly considered. What kings of judah preceded zephaniahs prophetical work, and what king. During the reign of josiah the word of the lord came to zephaniah. Book of zephaniah read bible verses online bible study tools. Publication date 2001 topics eritreanethiopian war, 1998. The book of zephaniah was written during the reign of king josiah, likely in the early part of his reign, between 635 and 625 bc. What kings of judah preceded zephaniahs prophetical work, and what king was reigning during his prophecy. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning. Obrien, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah. The book of zephaniah, the early discourses of jeremiah, and 2 kings 2123 furnish a vivid picture of the social, moral, and religious conditions in judah at the time zephaniah prophesied.
Study notes on the holy scriptures using a themebased approach to identify literary structures by gary h. Yet the unity of the message and flow of the entire book, plus ancient belief in its unity, have convinced most conservative scholars to regard zephaniah as the product of one writer. During the coming tribulation period the earth will suffer greatly. At this point, it seems prudent to ask if these theories have any spiritual importance for us. Written to zephaniah addressed the jews in judah and all later bible readers. I saw a great broad place, thousands of thousands surrounded it on its left side and myriads of myriads on its right side. Transcribed and edited by david sielaff, november 20. As we prepare to study the literal and spiritual senses of the book of zephaniah, lets look at some historical facts that will help us enter into the eternal message of the lords word. Refugee boy by benjamin zephaniah pdf download ebook pdf. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. Study the bible online using commentary on zephaniah and more. The book of zephaniah revelation research foundation.
Ebook pdf ebook teachers dead by benjamin zephaniah. The book of zephaniah kjv audio bible full by alexander. Zephaniah is the only prophet to mention four generations of his ancestors. The book of zephaniah is a book of the bible and is thought to be written by zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises. The apocalypse of zephaniah the lost books of the bible. Like nahum, the book of zephaniah proceeds in a 3 for justification of hab 3. Zephaniah s preaching condemned the hopeless corruption found in judean society. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming brokenness and impending judgement.
Because he referred himself to king hezekiah, it is assumed that he was a descendant of that good king. He faces alot of tragedy throughout the book but he never loses his humanity. The name of zephaniah means treasured protected, hidden of jehovah. Zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. The contents of this book have never been familiar, and i doubt that it has been read very much. Book of zephaniah, also called sophonias, the ninth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, collected in one book, the twelve, in the jewish canon. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of king josiah, who was on the throne for 31 years. Once you get daniel and the book of revelation firmly in mind chronologically, then you can flesh it. Zephaniah was probably hidden for his own protection. Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. Pdf the book of zephaniah 2018 edition gary everett, mdiv. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. The theme is the day of the lord, an expression we find five times in the book.
Introduction zephaniah ministered before the babylonian captivity began in 586 bc and not long before jeremiah, who lived at the time of the captivity. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities. He is unknown apart from the book that bears his name. The book of zephaniah is a book of the bible and is thought to be written by zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah the book begins by telling of gods judgement on the kingdom of judah. What kings of judah preceded zephaniah s prophetical work, and what king. Thus the period from 640 to 622 is the likely time for the giving of the prophecy. Interesting facts about zephaniah barnes bible charts meaning. Three times god says i will sweep away in chapter 1 verses 1 and 2. To all appearances, it was a time of religious concern and consecration. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like.
The little book of zephaniah will never take the place of john 3. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible. This was made to assess how well you know the book. In its introduction to the book of obadiah, the oxford annotated bible suggests another explanation for the similarities. Though the issue of refugees is a political one, zephaniah doesnt demonize anyone in the book. The new testament on one occasion identifies the day of the lord with the gift of the spirit on the day of pentecost acts 2.
Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. The book of zephaniah download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. This is being aired by permission of the holder litchfield associates, all rights. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to. It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me.
The writing style is clear and straightforward and the author has a gift for understatement. The date of zephaniah s prophecy is given as in the days of josiah the son of amon, king of judah. This is not the only place where this theme occurs, of course, but it is the most concentrated treatment of the judgment of god as the whole book is devoted to this one theme. The book of zephaniah is dated in the 7th century b. Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations. Zephaniah delivered this message during the reign of king josiah son of amon of judah zephaniah 1. Read zephaniah commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible. The book of zephaniah offers a threefold thematic scheme that supports the central claim of the pentateuch, the claim found in deuteronomy 6. He begins his prophecy by tracing his heritage back to hezekiah king of judah. Both prophets lived at the end of the assyrian period and the beginning of the. Title as with each of the 12 minor prophets, the prophecy bears the name of its author, which is generally thought to mean the lord hides cf. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin.