Zephaniah

Zephaniah seemed pretty straight forward to me. The How to Read the Bible book said that it was very confusing but it seemed okay to me. The basic plot is judgment against both Judah and the surrounding nations. Now Fee and Stuart said that the opening lines of the book are meant to be hyperbole, but in light of the rest of the judgments, it doesn't seem that way to me. At the same time, I realize that I am reading this for the first time and they both have Ph D's in study of the Bible. So just to let you know, the experts don't take these first lines literally.

The first few lines echo the pronouncement of the flood in Genesis 6. God says He will "utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth." The oracles against Judah goes to verse 6. After that "the day of Yahweh" is described with respect to Jerusalem through the end of chapter 1. Chapter 2 begins with a plea for Judah to repent so that Yahweh might not put His wrath on them (2:1-3). The rest of the chapter is oracles against the nations (Philistines, Moabites and Ammonites, Cushites, and Assyrians). Then the oracle against Jerusalem comes in 3:1-8. There are three things to point out in this section. First, is that a remnant from Judah will be blessed (2:7,9b). Second is what Judah will be judged for (3:1-4). And third is that Yahweh again pleas for them to repent, but it is obvious that they refuse (3:7).

The end of the book is the hope that is regular in most of these prophetic books by now. Judah will be judged, but a remnant will be saved. The language of verse 9 reminds me of Ezekiel 36:26-27. "I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of Yahweh and serve Him with one accord." It is so awesome to see that. And it is also important to remember that His changing of our speech (or hearts in Ezekiel) is what allows us to call on His name. Oh the amazing grace of our God.

All for His glory,

Mitchell