THE FINAL PROPHET BEFORE THE EXILE
Zephaniah was the final prophet to minister before Judah’s conquest and exile. In his message, he described future judgment on Judah and the nations but provided hope through the description of a purified remnant who would know God.
About the Author: The only prophet of nobility, Zephaniah was the great-grandson of Hezekiah and grew up under apostate kings. His name means “Yahweh/Lord hides or protects.”
Background: Zephaniah preached during the reign of Josiah, Judah’s last godly king, who found the Book of Law in the Temple and carried out numerous reforms including the desecration of the pagan temples built by Solomon and the removal of pagan altars, idols and male shrine prostitutes from the Temple. It is believed that perhaps Zephaniah’s preaching helped Josiah with his reforms, and that the reforms temporarily postponed judgment.
Message: A typical book of prophecy, Zephaniah detailed God’s future judgment on Judah and the nations and described how God would destroy but leave a remnant. The prophet’s message had three parts: judgment on Judah, judgment on the nations and the hope of a future blessing. Since Judah was idolatrous, God would destroy it. The Day of the Lord will bring the nation’s destruction; however, repentance may deliver the godly. Likewise, God would judge the proud and ungodly foreigners, because all nations are held accountable to him. Finally, Zephaniah called for the people to wait for judgment and assured them that God would show mercy to a remnant.
Application: We should be salt and light in our world, and either repent and avoid judgment or accept it and respond with humility after the proverbial hammer falls. We can also know that God will ultimately judge and cleanse the entire world of evil.
Inside the Minor Prophets 