Zephaniah Part One Deep Dive
JEHOVAH - JUDGE AND RESTORER | NATHAN ROSS
The book of Zephaniah is a very small yet powerful book situated in the Old Testament. The first verse acts as an introduction for the person of Zephaniah and the time these words were spoken. That is, during the reign of Josiah, King of Judah, setting the book around 640-630 BC. Apart from this first verse, all the other verses are the words of the Lord, Jehovah. Or, more technically, they are the words of Zephaniah acting as a prophet, a spokesperson for God on Earth. The words of God make up the majority of the book, actually taking up over 98% of the verses, so one of the greatest things we can learn from this book today is the character and plans of our God. These words were directed to Judah and Jerusalem and the people of that day and age but they still hold value for us today. Our God is still the same; our God still has the same plan.
When you read the book of Zephaniah, it feels pretty heavy, right? Just have a look at the title before verse 2 – ‘Judgment on the Whole Earth in the Day of the Lord’. Chapters 1 and 2 of Zephaniah are focused on judgment, but it is worth asking the question of what kind of judgment it will be. Firstly, God says in Chapter 1:2-3, ‘I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth. I will sweep away both man and beast… when I destroy all mankind on the face of Earth.’ Okay. So the judgment seems pretty relentless doesn't it? Maybe a nice Christian word study could save us on this one. The word ‘destroy’ in the Hebrew is karath. Karath has a very strong biblical usage of ‘to cut off,’ to ‘eliminate,’ or to ‘destroy’, particularly in relation to a covenant. Okay, this is not looking any better for us. This judgment is no small thing.
Z 1:6, 9 Those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him… on that day I will punish all who avoid stepping on the threshold.
This seems like quite an obscure verse, what does it actually mean? It’s actually a reference to the book of 1 Samuel, particularly Chapter 5. The story of 1 Samuel tells us how the Philistines, the enemy of the Israelites, had captured the Ark of the Covenant – the most precious and spiritual possession to the people of Israel, a reminder of their covenant with God. Chapter 5 tells us of how the Philistines put this Ark in their temple with the god of whom they worshipped, Dagon. Yet in the morning, the Philistines found the statue bowing to the Ark. They just moved him back to his place. But the next morning the statue was bowing again, with his head and hands broken off. So, as can be assumed, it was quite an alarming event for these Philistines. 1 Samuel 5:5 records that from this point ‘neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdon step on the threshold’. So with this reference in Zephaniah, paired with an understanding of 1 Samuel, it becomes clear that this judgment is on those who worship idolatrous gods, on those who won’t come near the God of the Israelites.
Although Zephaniah comes out guns blazing, there seems to be some grounds for mercy.
Z 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the on the day of Lord’s anger.
So there is a hope amidst judgment. Chapter 3 continues this theme of hope. We see in Chapter 3:12 that God ‘will leave the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord’. And with these people, God’s ultimate restoration comes to fruition. ‘I will bring you home. I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your eyes’.
Trashing tip: Do a study on the word ‘remnant’; you’ll see it sixty-four times in the Old Testament. Looks at all the times it is mentioned in this book alone – Chapters 1:4, 2:7, 2:9 and 3:12.
Zephaniah seems like quite a paradoxical book. It traces the judgment of the entire world, but explains how there is an exception – the meek and humble that trust in the name of the Lord, and with these people a restoration occurs. Yes, God is a judge, and God is the only One worthy to be a judge. This is a reality that we need to remind ourselves of – that God will judge all people; whether they sought out the Lord, inquired of Him, and followed. But it doesn’t end there. Our God, our Jehovah, is also a Restorer.
Have a read of the book of Revelation. Just as at the end of time there will be judgment and destruction, there is also restoration. Revelation 21 speaks of a New Heaven and a New Earth, where, in Chapter 22, Eden is restored. Yes, we may not enjoy reading or discussing these prophecies of doom and gloom, but without recognition of the judgment of God, we won’t understand the need for restoration. Judgment and restoration work together consecutively. It is the same as it was for Zephaniah. Let’s hold onto the hope of that restoration, and just how magnificent that restoration will be; a restoration that all of creation is crying out for, which will one day come to fruition.
Nathan Ross has a Bachelor of Theology and works at C3 College. As one of our key New Testament writers, Nathan teaches the book of Ephesians and Romans at C3 College and is a self-confessed history nerd.
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An Introduction to the Old Testament
Zephaniah part one
Nahum part One