When we read the Old Testament books we must always look to see if we can see, anything that resembles JESUS CHRIST our LORD and SAVIOR.  At everything we read we should be able to see JESUS clearly. As we read Zephaniah it is present at the onset. This little book of Zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of God’s justice and a view of his love for his followers that you find anywhere in the Prophets. God’s justice comes from his passion to protect and rescue his world from the horror of human evil and violence. The WORD of the LORD is the first sign we see. Direct reference to Jesus. John tells us In the beginning was the Word. We also must understand the volume of the book is written of me, (Jesus). Zephaniah prophesied against the worshiping of different gods, religious arrogance, and immoral men. He was looking for repentance, so that the people could enjoy the “Day of the Lord.” This “Day of the Lord” points directly to Jesus.

Zephaniah 1:1 THE word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

“THE word of the LORD” only Hosea, Joel, Micah, Zephaniah, and Malachi use it as a title of their prophecy.  Once they understood the word of God they received and believed and in turn it is to be mastered and allowed to master the hearts of those who receive it. These men allowed it to mold them into prophets.

These prophets were allowing the God of creation to have rule and reign in their lives and went forward at all costs to rail against their brothers and kinfolk and nation.   Don’t you think it is time that you allow Jesus the freedom to control you? No matter the cost!

Zephaniah= name means Hidden by God.

Cushi= Zephaniah’s Grandfather, his name means “Ethiopians” historically was located south of Egypt in today’s southern Egypt and northern Sudan, Cushites are considered descendants of Noah’s grandson, Cush the son of Ham.

Gedaliah= his name means “made great by God.” Gedaliah was according to the narratives in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Jeremiah and Second Book of Kings, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon as governor of Yehud province, which was formed after the defeat of the Kingdom of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem, in a part of the territory that previously formed the kingdom. He was supported by a Chaldean guard stationed at Mizpah.

Amariah= name means “God has said” or “Promised by God.” The name of priests in the History of ancient Israel and Judah. One of the descendants of Aaron by Eleazar.

Hizkiah= his name means “Yahweh strengthens.” A son of Neariah, a descendant of David. An ancestor of the prophet Zephaniah.

Josiah= his name means “Yahweh supports,”/ “Jehovah helps / heals. ”16th King of Judah he instituted major religious reforms by removing idolatry in temples. The Bible describes him as a righteous king, a king who “walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left”

Amon= his name means “faithful; true.”  His short two-year reign, 15^th King of Judah wicked did not get rid of Idolatry in temples. He succeeded his father Manasseh of Judah

This is a very impressive lineage of Zephaniah, and it shows us that both good and bad can come fro the same tree.

Zephaniah 1:2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.

Zephaniah 1:3 I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, And the stumblingblocks with the wicked; And I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

Zephaniah says clearly God will surely destroy everything. Signaling complete destruction of all who do not worship Yahweh. Judgment on all the earth. Isaiah also wrote about God’s worldwide judgment.

Zephaniah 1:4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, And upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; And I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, And the name of the Chemarims with the priests;

Zephaniah says clearly God will surely destroy Judah, and Jerusalem in particular because of the Idolatry and evil wickedness. God did this once before with Sodom and Gomorrah. We can be cut off just as they were if we are not following God faithfully and His word

 Zephaniah 1:5 And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; And them that worship and that swear by the LORD, And that swear by Malcham;

The host of heaven = This refers to angels. “Heavenly Host”= Angel Armies whom Archangel Michael is the Commander. Baal= is the name given to several different deities who are designated as false gods or idols. However, it is most often used to describe the specific Canaanite-Phoenician god of fertility and rain. Additionally, Baal is associated with Beezlebub, demons, and the devil.  These people were worshipping Baal, and Molech and Jehovah.  We cannot serve two Matsers for you will love one, and hate the other. Amen!

“Malcham” was a reference to “Molech” who was the god of pleasure. Some of us today still worship that god of pleasure. These people of whom Zephaniah referred are those who mixed their worship of “Jehovah” and the worship of “Molech” together. They still did not see the problem with it. That is why judgement will come in like a mighty flood and overwhelm you.

We seem in life to be confused with who we should serve. As the Israelites had issues we to have our issues. They wanted to serve many gods just as some of their ancestor did. And a wicked king allowed it. Then Josiah, a good king came in cast it out of the temples Idolatry. Service to God means absolutely no other service to any other gods’.  No Idolatry will be tolerated!

Zephaniah 1:6 And them that are turned back from the LORD; And those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.

Not only were the people guilty of forsaking “Jehovah”, but the priests who were leading the people were apostate as well. We must have sound doctrine coming from our pulpits. Our GOD does not like wavering and waffling believers.

Zephaniah 1:7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

Hold thy peace – God is our Judge in the Day of the LORD

When we go to court, we are to be silent within the court so all parties can hear clearly all evidence pertaining to the case at hand. This is so the Judge can render a proper decision on the case. Similar to our judgement day with our LORD we will be silent.

All this shall be fulfilled in the Day of Judgment, or shall we say the Day of the LORD, and all other fulfillments are earnests proof of that final Judgment Day. They are witnesses of the ever-living presence of the Judge of all, that is God. God does take an account of all man’s deeds. They speak to men’s conscience, they attest the existence of a Divine law and power, and there with the future complete manifestation of that law. This divine law of God is without error and will be the rules by which we/they are individual sentences. On this day, the Day of the LORD, Jesus will destroy all His enemies and give incredible blessings to all who follow Him.

What does all this mean for us?

As believers in Jesus, remember that God does not take sin lightly…it will be punished, and it will be judged appropriately. Whether living in open sin, putting on our false fronts, or looking the part, but not living it out. It will be known and found out!

Zephaniah is reminding us just how seriously God takes our life and our relationship with Him. And if we fail, remember Zephaniah’s message of hope – our God reigns and He will always rescue His own. There will be deliverance and salvation if we accept it and repent and confess before it is too late.

Our LORD and GOD is Mighty to Save!

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

As we learn who our LORD is though his written word, we can experience his love more and more. We will understand that he is in the midst of the church and all it does. Causing those to repent and confess their sin through his power and might he can break the hardest of hearts. We will understand that he is mighty to save anyone willing to come to him.

He has loved his creation from the beginning and is overjoyed when we follow obediently his ways and teachings. We as thankful followers and believers should give him honor praise and glory that is due to him. We could never repay him for what he does daily in our lives.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.