Zephaniah 3
OGCZephaniah 3:1-8
CHAPTER XXII
COMFORT AND CONSOLATION
REAFFIRMATION OF JUDGEMENT. Zephaniah 3:1-8
RV. Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in Jehovah; she drew not near to her God. Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they leave nothing till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have profaned the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous; he will not do iniquity; every morning doth he bring his justice to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. I have cut off nations; their battlements are desolate; I have made their streets waste, so that none passeth by; their cities are destroyed so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant. I said, Only fear thou me; receive correction; so her dwelling shall not be cut off, according to all that I have appointed concerning her: but they rose early and corrupted all their doings. Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealously, LXX. Alas the glorious and ransomed city. The dove hearkened not to the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord, and she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her were as roaring lions, her judges as the wolves of Arabia; they remained not till the morrow. Her prophets are light and scornful men: her priests profane the holy things, and sinfully transgress the law. But the just Lord is in the midst of her, and he will never do an unjust thing: morning by morning he will bring out his judgement to the light, and it is not hidden, and he knows not injustice by extortion, nor injustice in strife. I have brought down the proud with destruction; their corners are destroyed: I will make their ways completely waste, so that none shall go through: their cities are come to an end, by reason of no man living or dwelling in them. I said, But do ye fear.me, and receive instruction, and ye shall not be cut off from the face of the land for all the vengeance I have brought upon her; prepare thou, rise early: all their produce is spoilt. Therefore wait upon me, saith the Lord, until the day when I rise up for a witness: because my judgement shall be on the gatherings of the nations, to draw to me kings, to pour out upon them all my fierce anger: for the whole earth shall be consumed with the fire of my jealousy.
COMMENTS
In Chapter s Zephaniah 1:2 to Zephaniah 2:3, social sin and injustice are hardly noted. In the section before us, Zephaniah briefly but emphatically indicates that it is social injustice, such as that spelled out by Micah, Amos and Isaiah, for which Israel will be led captive. This supreme sin, man’s inhumanity to man, is the inevitable consequence of the false religion dealt with in Zephaniah’s first two Chapter s.
HER THAT IS REBELLIOUS. Zephaniah 3:1
Jerusalem is not named, but is obviously intended. Her rebellion against Jehovah worship has caused her social pollution. The oppression of the have nots by the haves is the consequence of the religious syncretism of the haves. The-twentieth century nonsense that it doesn-’t make any difference what he believes so long as he is sincere is proven erroneous in the history of Judah’s punishment. The social evil in America today is in large measure the result of the same sort of religious non-commitment that brought about the downfall of Judah. No culture can remain just and equitable that does not have a certain moral and spiritual base. The social inequity resulting from a lack of religious certainty is the dry rot which destroys civilizations. Mere lip service to Jehovah is not enough.
OBEYED NOT. RECEIVED NOT. TRUSTED NOT. DREW NOT. Zephaniah 3:2
The prophet’s charge of rebellion against Jerusalem is spelled out in verse two. Four failures have brought her to the brink of destruction. First, she obeyed not the voice of God. Hebrews 1:1 tells of God speaking to the fathers in the prophets. Their voice was His voice. His people did not obey.
Moreover, when God sent other prophets to correct her failure to hear, Jerusalem (the spiritual center of Judah) did not recieve the correction, This stiff-necked attitude compounded to sin and pushed the nation farther down the slopes toward disaster.
She trusted not Jehovah. This would seem, in light of the first two charges, to be self-evident. No one really trusts God who does not heed His spokesmen. The prophet, in this third indictment, calls attention to Judah’s alliances with foreign powers. Rather than trust Jehovah’s might for her national security, Jerusalem aligned herself with the Assyrian-Egyptian power block in the struggle with Babylon. She would find herself on the losing side. America, whose currency bears the inscription in God we trust, seems unable to learn this lesson.
The final charge against Judah is that she drew not near to God. Instead, she sought Baal: The failure of Judah was not passive merely. She not only failed to hear and trust, she actively sought false gods.
HER PRINCES. HER JUDGES. HER PROPHETS. HER PRIESTS. Zephaniah 3:3-4
These verses are reminiscent of Micha’s denunciation of the various influential classes in the culture of the people. Her princes, i.e., those who held political authority over the people, are roaring lions. They as Satan, go about seeking whom they may devour. (cp. Ezekiel 25:27)
Her judges are as wolves in the evening. Wolves feed at night, beginning at dusk and by morning there is little left of their victims. So with the common people who are at the mercy of corrupt courts. A corrupt judicial is ever the companion of an evil executive.
Her prophets are light and treacherous persons. These, more than any other, must answer for Judah’s corrupt religion. As Micah accused them, they preached what their wealthy listeners wanted to hear rather than thundering forth God’s truth. They proclaimed the imaginings of their own minds rather, than God’s Word. A dangerous parallel could be drawn here by comparing the practice of these prophets to the modern preacher of topical sermons who neglects the expository treatment of God’s Word.
Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. The present day American church-goer, with his blase-’ attitude toward things sacred cannot appreciate the seriousness of this offense. One of the functions of the priests of Levi was to guard the sanctity of the Holy Place. The priests to whom Zephaniah writes have become so worldly-minded, so tolerant of false religion, they are no longer concerned for the sacredness of the temple. (cp. Ezekiel 22:26) They perverted the law to suit their own advantage while practicing a narrow legalism generally. They had forgotten the dramatic lesson of Uzzah who was struck dead for placing unclean hands on the sacred ark. (2 Samuel 6:7)
JEHOVAH IN THE MIDST. Zephaniah 3:5
God has not left His people. In the midst of rebellion and injustice. He is faithful to the covenant. He has not been turned aside from His purpose by the unfaithfulness of the people.
Every morning He brings justice to light. The worship of Baal began with greeting him at dawn in the rising sun. At this very hour when the people’s unfaithfulness reached its daily pinnacle, Jehovah brings justice to light. His moral standards and His righteousness are as reliable, and more so than the rising of the sun. But the people refuse to see.
The unjust knoweth no shame. Even the constancy of Jehovah in the midst of their unfaithfulness does not shame them. They are unmoved in their pursuit of unrighteousness and error.
I HAVE CUT OFF THE NATIONS. Zephaniah 3:6
God’s righteous judgements are not limited alone to Judah. The prophet has already listed the sentences of God against the surrounding Gentiles. It is God, not Zephaniah, who has cut off the nations. The desolation and ruin of those named in the previous chapter are not the result of Jewish nationalism but of God’s universal judgement. The archives of history are filled with the records of those nations cut down by God’s righteous judgement because knowing God, they glorified Him not as God. (Romans 1:21) Judah had but to look north to Israel to remember how true this is and how certain are God’s judgements.
ONLY FEAR THOU ME. Zephaniah 3:7
God still speaks through Zephaniah. He calls the Hebrews back to the rudimentary beginning of wisdom. (cp. Proverbs 9:10)
Paul, quoting Psalm after Psalm, will prove that all social evil such as that against which the prophets spoke are the result of failure to fear God. He will list lack of righteousness, and understanding, failure to seek God, turning aside from His purpose, failure to do good, all spiritual uncleanness, deceitful speech, cursing and bitterness, war and destruction and misery and the futile search for peace as the consequences of not fearing Him. (cf. Roman Zephaniah 3:9-18)
One can only shudder today at the church member whose twisted misinformation about God’s love has led him to a contemptuous familiarity which does not believe one should, or must fear Jehovah. God’s plea through Zephaniah is only fear me. Only. just. please! A deep and genuine fear of God will bring about the correction of the evil against which judgement must otherwise come
BUT THEY ROSE.EARLY AND CORRUPTED.
Despite God’s plea to fear Him, the people ignored His plea and rose up early to greet the sun god. In so doing, they paved the way for all other corruption.
UNTIL THE DAY. Zephaniah 3:8
Here Zephaniah returns to the theme struck in Zephaniah 1:14. The great Day of Jehovah is again called to mind as the decisive day on which He will gather the nations before Him in wrath.
The meek. those who are humble before God (Zephaniah 2:3). are called to wait for that day when He will prey upon His enemies. In that day when Jehovah’s wrath is poured out to devour the earth with fire (cp. 2 Peter 3:7) the meek shall inherit the new earth.
The idea of destruction by fire in relations to God’s judgement is fairly distributed throughout the Bible. Joel spoke of a time which would be revealed in blood and fire and vapor of smoke (Joe 2:30). Psalms 50:3 depicts God’s coming in company with a devouring fire. Isaiah wrote of similar phenomena. (Isaiah 29:6; Isaiah 30:30; Isaiah 66:15-16) We have heard Nahum speak of the hills burning and the earth burning in His presence. (Nahum 1:5-6) Malachi will tell us of the day of the Lord burning as an oven.
We are something less than wise not to fear Him!
Those nations found guilty in Jehovah’s court of justice will feel the fiery fierceness of fire that is to devour the adversary. (Hebrews 10:27)
This gathering need not be seen as taking place in Jerusalem. There is no Biblical proof for the tradition that the final judgement will take place in the Kidron valley. The idea is that all nations simultaneously and universally are judged by God. His righteousness will flow across the earth as the fiery lava of a volcano consuming all that stand in the way of His covenant purpose.
Chapter XXIIQuestions
Comfort and Consolation
The sin for which Judah will be led captive is ________________ sin.
Social sin is inevitably the result of ________________.
Though not specifically named in Zephaniah 3:1, ________________ is obviously intended by Her that is rebellious.
In light of Zephaniah’s pronouncement of judgement against social evil which results from false religion, discuss the statement it doesn-’t make any difference what one believes, so long as he is sincere.
According to Zephaniah 3:2, four failures have brought her to the brink of destruction. They are: (1) ________________, (2) ________________, (3) ________________, and (4) ________________.
Zephaniah condemns four classes of cultural leaders in Judah. They are: (1) ________________, (2) ________________, (3) ________________ and (4) ________________.
The ________________ ________________ is the beginning of wisdom.
Should a Christian fear God? Explain.
What is meant (Zephaniah 3:7) by rose early and corrupted?
Why is God’s wrath poured out in human history?
What is meant by turn? (Zephaniah 3:9)
Pure Language is evidence of ________________.
In Zephaniah 3:10 Ethiopia represents ______________.
Is the idea of universal salvation found in the Old Testament? Discuss.
What is meant by in that day? (Zephaniah 3:11)
The closing verses of Zephaniah are in contrast to ________________.
Who are the daughter of Zion. the daughter of Israel. the daughter of Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:14)?
Discuss the Messianic significance of the closing verses of Zephaniah.
Discuss God will delight in His people.
Discuss a praise and a name. (Zephaniah 3:19-20)
Zephaniah 3:9-13
THE PROMISE OF REDEMPTION. Zephaniah 3:9-13
RV. For then will I turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. In that day shalt thou not be put to shame for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proudly exalting ones, and thou shalt no more be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their month; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. LXX. For then will I turn to the peoples a tongue for her generation, that all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve him under one yoke. From the boundaries of the rivers of Ethiopia will I receive my dispersed ones; they shall offer sacrifices to me. In that day thou shalt not be ashamed of all thy practices, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then will I take away from thee thy disdainful pride, and thou shalt no more magnify thyself upon my holy mountain. And I will leave in thee a meek and lowly people; and the remnant of Israel shall fear the name of the Lord, and shall do no iniquity, neither shall they speak vanity; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed, and lie down, and there shall be none to terrify them.
COMMENTS
The purpose for which God’s wrath is poured out in human history is a redemptive purpose. Zephaniah sees, as do the other prophets, the promise of repentance and consequent redemption. He is just, not arbitrary. He does not punish out of vindictive petulance but out of love. (Hebrews 12:6) His judgements are therapeutic, not merely punitive. Ultimately He chastens to save.
The hope comes to Zephaniah like a calm after a hurricane.
A PURE LANGUAGE. Zephaniah 3:9
For then* i.e.* following the judgement just described; there is reason for hope.
I will turn* i.e.* I will change the nature. The Psalmist cried, Create within me a pure heart, O God. (Psalms 51-10) Paul wrote … if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold they are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Evidence of this redemptive reconciliation is a pure language or more accurately, a clean lip. Isaiah, called by God to speak for Him, cried out I am a man of unclean lips, (Isaiah 6:5) And after he had been purged with fire from the altar, God said to him, Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin is forgiven.
A purified heart, redeemed and reconciled to God always results in pure speech.
… SERVE HIM WITH ONE CONSENT.
Those who are redeemed not only may but will serve Him. Jesus promised that the living water of redemption would, in him who drinks, become a fountain, bubbling over to eternal life. (cf. John 4:14)
And their service will be with one consent. more literally with one shoulder. As several oxen pushing against a single yoke, they will serve as one. Both the redeemed of Israel and the purged nations will in that day serve Him as one. Here is a glimpse of the unity which characterized the New Testament church which, from Antioch forward was a fellowship of those redeemed from Israel and those purified from among the nations.
FROM BEYOND THE RIVERS. Zephaniah 3:10
From the long list of those to whom God’s wrath would be revealed in judgement Zephaniah selects Ethiopia (see above on Zephaniah 2:12) to represent the redeemed from among the nations.
This company of the reconciled is also to include Jews from among the dispersion, i.e., those who were scattered among the nations. It was to the synagogues of the diaspora that Paul first took the gospel in every city. The church, fifteen years after her birth in Judaism, had become a fellowship of redeemed from every kindred and nation,
This concept of universal salvation is not unknown to the Old Testament. In fact, Jesus saw in such prophetic passages the meaning of the entire Old Testament. (Cp. Luke 24:44 -f)
The reader will do well here to review Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-4, Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 19:23-25; Isaiah 49:5-6. To pursue the idea of universal salvation in the Old Testament, an excellent reference work is Wm. O. Carver’S, Missions In The Plan of The Ages, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tenn.
IN THAT DAY THOU SHALT NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.
In the day when the fires of divine judgement shall have purged men of all nations, promises the prophet, you will not be made ashamed for those things in which you have transgressed. What a promise! Paul exalted in this truth, There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:1) When Jesus received in our behalf the judgement of God upon our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), He purged us of all those things for which we need be ashamed.
Zephaniah points out that the lack of any reason for shame on the part of the redeemed is due to God’s removal from their midst the boastful and proud. Again we are reminded of Paul’s letters. Again and again he reminds the redeemed that all reason for boasting is removed in the processes of redemption. (e.g. Romans 3:27, 1 Corinthians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 4:7, Galatians 6:14) Since Christ received for all of us the wrath of God for our sins, none among the redeemed has any reason to boast. Therefore, no one has any reason to be ashamed of the sin from which he was redeemed, since there are no exceptions. All have sinned and all, in Him; have been redeemed. No Christian has any right to a guilt complex or an inferiority complex.
I WILL LEAVE. AN AFFLICTED AND POOR PEOPLE. Zephaniah 3:12
Blessed. said Jesus, are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) To be poor in spiritafflicted. and poor as Zephaniah has itis to recognize that we are of ourselves unprofitable to Godfit subjects for His wrath. Having exacted our due punishment on Calvary, God leaves us poorwholly dependent upon Him, but. in this dependence we are rich beyond our fondest hopes. O, the depth of the riches of God’s love!
THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL SHALL NOT DO INIQUITY. Zephaniah 3:13.
The remnant is again, as in Isaiah and Micah et al, God’s redeemed covenant people on the redemption side of God’s wrath. They were those who passed through the captivity, God’s punishment for former sin. they are now those who have passed through Calvary, by being united with Christ’s death. In any context the remnant are God’s covenant people.
The impure speech of an un-redeemed heart is not to be found among God’s people. Those whom God has cleansed will remain after all others have been burned away in the consuming wrath of God’s judgement. The redeemed are to become like their God. No untruth,* i.e.* unreality, is to be found among them.
Here, as in many other Old Testament passages, God’s people are pictured as a flock, lying down in the security of His fold. (cp. Psalms 23, Isaiah 17:2, Ezekiel 34:25; Ezekiel 34:28) This security is only for those who have their refuge in Jehovah.
Chapter XXIIQuestions
Comfort and Consolation
The sin for which Judah will be led captive is ________________ sin.
Social sin is inevitably the result of ________________.
Though not specifically named in Zephaniah 3:1, ________________ is obviously intended by Her that is rebellious.
In light of Zephaniah’s pronouncement of judgement against social evil which results from false religion, discuss the statement it doesn-’t make any difference what one believes, so long as he is sincere.
According to Zephaniah 3:2, four failures have brought her to the brink of destruction. They are: (1) ________________, (2) ________________, (3) ________________, and (4) ________________.
Zephaniah condemns four classes of cultural leaders in Judah. They are: (1) ________________, (2) ________________, (3) ________________ and (4) ________________.
The ________________ ________________ is the beginning of wisdom.
Should a Christian fear God? Explain.
What is meant (Zephaniah 3:7) by rose early and corrupted?
Why is God’s wrath poured out in human history?
What is meant by turn? (Zephaniah 3:9)
Pure Language is evidence of ________________.
In Zephaniah 3:10 Ethiopia represents ______________.
Is the idea of universal salvation found in the Old Testament? Discuss.
What is meant by in that day? (Zephaniah 3:11)
The closing verses of Zephaniah are in contrast to ________________.
Who are the daughter of Zion. the daughter of Israel. the daughter of Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:14)?
Discuss the Messianic significance of the closing verses of Zephaniah.
Discuss God will delight in His people.
Discuss a praise and a name. (Zephaniah 3:19-20)
Zephaniah 3:14-20
PORTRAIT OF THE REDEEMED. Zephaniah 3:14-20
RV. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. Jehovah hath taken away thy judgements, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not fear evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack. Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; over thee with singing. I will gather them that sorrow for the solemn assembly, who were of thee; to whom the burden upon her was a reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; and I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth. At that time will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before your eyes, saith Jehovah.
LXX. Rejoice, O daughter of Sion; cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; rejoice and delight thyself with all thine heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord has taken away thine iniquities, he has ransomed thee from the hand of thine enemies: the Lord, the King of Israel, is in the midst of thee: thou shall not see evil any more. At that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, Be of good courage, Sion; let not thine hands be slack. The Lord thy God is in thee; the Mighty One shall save thee; he shall bring joy upon thee, and shall refresh thee with his love; and he shall rejoice over thee with delight as in a day of feasting. And I will gather thine afflicted ones. Alas! who has taken up a reproach against her? Behold, I will work in thee for thy Sake at that time, saith the Lord; and I will save her that was oppressed, and receive her that was rejected; and I will make them a praise, and honoured in all the earth. And their enemies shall be ashamed at that time, when I shall deal well with you: for I will make you honoured and a praise among all the nations of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before you, saith the Lord.
COMMENTS
The closing verses of Zephaniah are in contrast to the bulk of the book. To this point the judgements have been harsh. The closing paragraph is tender and gentle. But there is no contradiction. As we have seen. God’s judgements are redemptive. He does not rejoice in such suffering. He only does what must be done to call His people back to Himself and purge the Gentiles from their sin. Here is the anticipation of the day when such affliction shall be over, when God’s people shall be reconciled to Himself. There is ample reason for such rejoicing.
SING O DAUGHTER OF ZION. Zephaniah 3:14
Cities were, and are, frequently referred to as women poetically to express affection. (e.g. Isaiah 47:1, Psalms 45:12). Daughter of Zion and daughter of Israel are synonymous terms. Daughter of Jerusalem also seems interchangeable with these terms. All are freighted with covenant significance.
THE KING OF ISRAEL IS IN THE MIDST. Zephaniah 3:15
An end shall be put to all their trouble and distresses. Though some grievances remain, they shall be only afflictions, not judgements, for sin shall be pardoned. The term cast out here is literally swept out. When they sweep, out their sin by reformation, God will sweep out their enemies by destruction.
Our Lord is called King. of Israel (John 1:49). There is no doubt of the Messianic significance of these verses. He is always in the midst of His people. (cf. Matthew 28:20) Because He is in our midst we need not fear evil. (cp. Romans 8:31-39)
Zephaniah: sees Israel, purged from sin by the fires of judgement, now. ready for God’s presence which she has heretofore rejected.
LET NOT THY HANDS BE SLACK. Zephaniah 3:16
With the King, even Jehovah, in their midst, God’s covenant people need not slump in despair. An awareness of His presence is cause for courage and strength even in adversity.
A MIGHTY ONE WHO WILL SAVE. WILL REJOICE OVER THEE. Zephaniah 3:17
God will delight in His people. After all, this is the reason He created man. When the purging of sin is accomplished and His people at last are His, He will have reason to rejoice! God not only loves us. He loves to love us. If we love Him as we ought, we will have as our strongest desire His good pleasure, just as He has ours.
I WILL GATHER THEM THAT SORROW. Zephaniah 3:18
The prophet here promises reprieve to those of Israel who are scattered abroad. Their absence from the sacred feasts is a reproach to Jerusalem. After the purging of their sins, He will bring the faithful into the assembly. In God’s eternal Israel. the redeemed. there will be no reproach or burden.
I WILL MAKE THEM A PRAISE AND A NAME. Zephaniah 3:19-20
In these closing verses the Messianic light of Zephaniah burns brightest. There has been a gradual turning from the contemporary and the mundane. In some of the verses we have just read it is difficult to know whether the prophet speaks of the circumstances in which he himself lived, of the captivity and return or of the future Messianic deliverance of the covenant people. Here there is no doubt. The enemies of the people have been destroyed, the gathering of the faithful has been accomplished. Jehovah is in their midst. A praise and a name are theirs among all the people of the earth.
The people, righteous and blessed by God, are known throughout the earth. Even the people of earth’s nations praise them. (cp. Acts 2:47; Acts 5:17, etc.).
Isaiah also spoke of a new name which God would give His own in the Messianic age. (Isaiah 62:1-2) The fulfillment of this promise is seen at Antioch when the covenant people are called Christian. (Acts 11:26)
In the intervening ages, before these promises are fulfilled, there would often be cause for sorrow. There would not be the liberty to meet together to keep the public ordinances. During the captivity, the Jews were denied what previously they had neglected. They were reproached and made the objects of derision. But despite the darkness of judgement, Zephaniah at last sees an end of suffering and a day of universal praise to God and of His people. The faithful will come from distant nations and the remnant will live in the presence and security of Jehovah the King.
Chapter XXIIQuestions
Comfort and Consolation
The sin for which Judah will be led captive is ________________ sin.
Social sin is inevitably the result of ________________.
Though not specifically named in Zephaniah 3:1, ________________ is obviously intended by Her that is rebellious.
In light of Zephaniah’s pronouncement of judgement against social evil which results from false religion, discuss the statement it doesn-’t make any difference what one believes, so long as he is sincere.
According to Zephaniah 3:2, four failures have brought her to the brink of destruction. They are: (1) ________________, (2) ________________, (3) ________________, and (4) ________________.
Zephaniah condemns four classes of cultural leaders in Judah. They are: (1) ________________, (2) ________________, (3) ________________ and (4) ________________.
The ________________ ________________ is the beginning of wisdom.
Should a Christian fear God? Explain.
What is meant (Zephaniah 3:7) by rose early and corrupted?
Why is God’s wrath poured out in human history?
What is meant by turn? (Zephaniah 3:9)
Pure Language is evidence of ________________.
In Zephaniah 3:10 Ethiopia represents ______________.
Is the idea of universal salvation found in the Old Testament? Discuss.
What is meant by in that day? (Zephaniah 3:11)
The closing verses of Zephaniah are in contrast to ________________.
Who are the daughter of Zion. the daughter of Israel. the daughter of Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:14)?
Discuss the Messianic significance of the closing verses of Zephaniah.
Discuss God will delight in His people.
Discuss a praise and a name. (Zephaniah 3:19-20)