Zephaniah warned of coming judgment on Judah and other nations for idolatry and sin, but also provided hope for a remnant. God will restore Israel and Judah, removing pride and impurity so his people can worship him with joy. Though once despised, God's people will be exalted and praised everywhere as he restores them from exile and draws them from every nation.

1. ZEPHANIAH
CHAPTER 3
A NEW HOPE
[11.12.11]

2. I. INTRODUCTION:
Ch.1: Zephaniah was serving King Josiah of
Judah, [640-609BC], idolatry rampant,
child sacrifice to Molech, Baal- and star-
worship [1:4,5]
Although a good king and reformer, his
reforms were short-lived [2Chr34:1-3]

3. God warned through Zephaniah about a
future punishment upon the whole
world, including Jerusalem
Called “Day of the Lord” sinful humanity
would not be able to escape
punishment for idolatry
God will punish princes, king’s sons, those
of violence, deceit [1:8,9]
That dreadful Day was at hand [1:14];
riches cannot deliver anyone [1:18]

4. Ch.2: a call for national repentance before
God’s anger was upon them [2:1,2].
Zephaniah encouraged the people to “look
within” themselves to seek the Lord,
righteousness, humility [2:3]
They were also advised to “look around” to
see God’s wrath upon Philistia where its
cities will be desolated [2:4]
The Kerethite people destroyed

5. Moab, Ammon will be like Sodom and
Gomorrah because of pride and mocking
God’s people [2:8-11]
Ethiopia [2:12]: slain by the sword
Assyria and Nineveh [2:13-15]: desolated
God judged foreign nations for their
attitude to Judah
He also used them to discipline Judah
when His people do evil.
As a good father, God disciplines His
children [He12:7,8]

6. WOE TO JERUSALEM [3:1-8]
Zephaniah told the people that they have
been obstinate,
• deliberately rebellious against God,
• resistant to His appeal,
• not drawing near to Him [3:1-4]
They have ignored God’s judgment upon
other nations [3:6-7].
Civil and religious leaders were insolent,
they violated the Law.

7. JOY IN JERUSALEM [3:9-18]
Lest the faithful remnant despair, he told
the people to wait, [to long] for the Lord
to carry out His judgment [3:8].
God will restore to a remnant a “pure
language” [cleansed of sinful pride and
idolatry] to worship and serve Him [3:9]
with joy and in humility.
His dispersed people [Israel] will come
from afar to worship Him [3:10]

8. God will remove the proud and haughty,
leaving meek and humble people who
will do no wrong, tell no lies, to trust and
rest in the Lord [3:11-13].
He will remove their judgment and their
enemies [3:15]
God will live in the midst of His people,
rejoicing over them with love and singing
[3:17].
Imagine God singing!!

9. HIS PEOPLE WILL BE EXALTED [3:18-20]
The Lord ended the prophecy with hope
for the godly remnant of Judah.
He will deal with those who afflicted His
people.
He will restore His people, drawing them
out of every tribe, tongue and nation
[3:19]

10. Once despised, His people will return
exalted in everyone’s eyes [3:20] with
praise and fame in every land where
they were once put to shame.
Thus, it’s important we bring the gospel to
all ethnic groups and make disciples
[Mt28:18-20]

11. SOME FOOTNOTES
Notice both Zephaniah and Revelation:
• Begin with judgment on God’s people
[Israel and the Church respectively]
• Tell of judgments on other nations
[Zeph.2, Rev.4-15]
• Dwell on the Day of Judgment [Zeph3:1-
8, Rev.20]

12. • Mention God providing a place to His
people where they can live forever
[Old Jerusalem in Zep3:9-20 and New
Jerusalem in Rev21,22]
• In Zephaniah, God comes as King, in
Revelation, Jesus comes again as King.
Although an obscure OT book, Zephaniah
is central to understanding of the future.

13. II. CONCLUSION
• A simple message: Judgment is coming,
blessings will follow for penitent ones.
• His message is similar to the apostles’:
repent [Ac3:19]; live holy and godly lives
[2Pe3:10,11b]; be blameless [2Pe3:14].
• Are we heeding this message?