Introduction to the Book of Zephaniah.
Zephaniah was a prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah.
Zephaniah thundered warnings in order to bring his people back to God from pagan
worship.
He lived at the same time as the prophet Jeremiah, and preached this message
sometime between 640 and 625 BC.
Not long after Zephaniah's warnings, Judah would be conquered by the
Babylonians and carried into captivity.
Zephaniah foretold this judgment.
Perhaps Zephaniah's message was partly instrumental in motivating King Josiah and
the people to undertake the reforms we read about in 2 Kings chapter 23.
But it was too late to stop the coming destruction.
With a word of hope that God will restore his people after they have been purified.
Notice the joy God's salvation brings when Zephaniah declares, The Lord thy God in
the midst of thee is mighty.
He will save.
He will rejoice over thee with joy.
He will rest in his love.
He will joy over thee with singing.