II Kings 22 & 23.       Zephaniah, a great, great grandson to the good King Hezekiah of Judah, prophesied in Judah, the Southern Kingdom. Actually, on the surface, it seemed that Judah was undergoing massive revival toward God. But God saw much deeper into the hearts of the people that had performed well externally, but were shallow and insincere in their removal of idols. It was because of this hypocrisy that God led Zephaniah to warn the people of judgment to come to those how would only pretend. Zephaniah prophesied just before further reforms were carried out throughout Judah by a godly king. He probably even helped produce many of those reforms, being of royal blood and a cousin to the present king, as well as being God’s spokesman.

Chapter 1: God Will Judge Judah

1. Scan the book and note each time "day" or "day of the Lord" is used. What is the general feeling or thought surrounding these words?

2. Who was king in Judah at this time?

3. What things did the Lord say He would remove?

   How widespread would this punishment be?

   Upon what nation in particular?

   Upon what kinds of people?

4. What is the time frame for the judgment from the time Zephaniah prophesied?

5. Contrast the attitude of the phrase "coming very quickly" in v. 14 with the statement of "Lord come quickly" in Revelation 22:17 and 20. (Consider your own attitude.)

6. Describe the day of the Lord.

7. During the declaration of judgment, the Lord mentions His jealousy. Discuss God’s jealousy and how He remains righteous in His jealousy.

Chapter 2: God Will Bring Punishment

8. What was the prophet Zephaniah trying to change?

9. Before a person is convinced to change his life and do anything different, he must be awakened to the need for that change, or to see the need for God. What evidence do you see of God’s patience and long-suffering, even though He gives these harsh words of judgment through Zephaniah?

10. What other nations and sins would God judge?

11. In the middle of all the talk of punishment, what promises are given to the remnant of the house of Judah?

12. What specific punishments are to be against Ammon and Moab?

    What was the ancient relationship between these two nations and Judah? (See Genesis 19:33-38.)

Chapter 3: God Will Restore His People

13. Besides God’s wrath, what other characteristics of His are exhibited in chapter 3?

14. In order for relationship and protection with God to be restored, what had to happen?

15. What is meant by "call on the name of the Lord"?

16. The book closes with encouragement.
    1. What are the reasons for the remnant to rejoice?

    2. List some of the specific promises God gave them on a personal level.

17. In what way did the remnant become praise to all the earth?

Women IN God's Service

Minor Prophets - lesson 6
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, Spring 1998
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas