Zephaniah 1: Group Study Handout

Overview

Yahweh's word comes to Zephaniah, a descendant of Hezekiah, during King Josiah's reign (v. 1). Yahweh announces he will sweep away everything from the earth, including people and animals (vv. 2-3). He will cut off idol worship from Judah and Jerusalem, including the remnant of Baal (vv. 4-6). The people are called to be silent before Yahweh, for the day of Yahweh is near (vv. 7-9). Distress will come on the inhabitants, with cries and wailing from various places (vv. 10-12). The great day of Yahweh will be filled with wrath, trouble, and darkness (vv. 13-15). A trumpet will sound against fortified cities, and distress will fall upon the people (vv. 16-18). Neither wealth nor gold will save them from Yahweh's judgment on that day.

Key verse

“I will stretch out my hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place: the name of the idolatrous and pagan priests,”

Zephaniah 1:4 (WEB)

Outline

1. Zephaniah 1:1 Introduction of Zephaniah's Prophecy
2. Zephaniah 1:2–3 Announcement of Universal Judgment
3. Zephaniah 1:4–6 Condemnation of Idolatry
4. Zephaniah 1:7–9 Call for Silence and Reflection
5. Zephaniah 1:10–12 Destruction and Distress Foretold
6. Zephaniah 1:13–15 The Day of Yahweh's Wrath
7. Zephaniah 1:16–18 Finality of God's Judgment

Discussion questions

1. In v2, what does Yahweh say he will sweep away from the surface of the earth?
2. What specific actions against Jerusalem does Yahweh declare in v4?
3. The phrase 'the day of Yahweh' in v14: what does it imply about the nature of judgment described throughout the chapter?
4. In v12, why does Yahweh search Jerusalem with lamps, and what does this signify about the people?
5. When have you felt a sense of complacency in your relationship with God, like those in v6 who did not seek Him?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Zephaniah 1: Joel 2, Ezekiel 7, Habakkuk 2.

Before next time: read Zephaniah 2.