ZEPHANIAH 1-3

Zephaniah describes three special "days," two of which are grievous, while the third is glorious.

THE GRIEVOUS DAYS (1:1-3:8):

Zephaniah pronounces judgment.

The first grievous day (1:1-13; 2:1-15; 3:1-5):

Historical in scope, it includes Judah and her surrounding neighbours and is fulfilled by the king of Babylon.

Judah (1:1-13; 2:1-3; 3:1-5)

Zephaniah's condemnation (1:1-13; 3:1-5)

Her sins (1:4-6, 8-9, 11-12; 3:1-5)

####### Idolatry (1:4-6)

####### Greed (1:11)

####### Utter indifference to God (1:12; 3:2)

####### Rebellion, violence, and crime (3:1)

####### Leaders who follow pagan customs (1:8-9)

####### Judges who are like ravenous wolves that leave no trace of their prey (3:3) (g)

Godless prophets and priests (3:4-5)

Her sentence (1:1-3, 7, 10, 13)

####### Cries of anguish will be heard throughout the land (1:10).

####### The land will be reduced to rubble (1:1-3, 7).

####### The people's wealth will be plundered and their homes demolished (1:13).

Zephaniah's invitation (2:1-3):

He tells Judah to repent and escape God's wrath.

The Gentiles (2:4-15)

The Philistine cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron (2:4-7):

Israel's western enemies

Moab and Ammon (2:8-11):

Israel's eastern enemies

Ethiopia (2:12):

Israel's southern enemy

Assyria and its capital, Nineveh (2:13-15):

Israel's northern enemy

The second grievous day (1:14-18; 3:6-8):

Prophetic in scope, it will include all nations and is yet to be fulfilled by the King of heaven.

The designation (1:14):

Zephaniah calls it the "day of the LORD," a probable reference to the coming Great Tribulation.

The devastation (1:15-18; 3:6-8)

Earth's citizens will stumble as blind men (1:15-17a).

Their blood will be poured out into the dust (1:17b).

Wealth will become absolutely useless (1:18).

Few survivors will be left (3:6-7).

The entire earth will be devoured by the fire of divine wrath (3:8).

THE GLORIOUS DAY (3:9-20):

Zephaniah proclaims justice.

To the Gentiles (3:9):

Their many languages will be unified and purified, thus allowing all people to worship God together.

To the Jews (3:10-20)

Their regathering (3:10, 19-20a)

Their restoring (3:20b)

Their refining (3:11-13)

Their rejoicing (3:14-18):

God himself will join in their happy song.