Zephaniah

Date Written: Probably near the end of Zephaniah’s ministry & when King Josiah’s great reforms began 640-621 B.C.

Author: Zephaniah

Setting: King Josiah of Judah was attempting to reverse the evil trends set by the two previous kings of Judah, Manasseh & Amon. Josiah was able to extend his influence because there wasn’t a strong superpower dominating the world at that time. Assyria was rapidly declining. Zephaniah’s prophecy may have been the motivating factor in Josiah’s reform. The voice of prophecy had been silent for 70 years. Ever since the death of Hezekiah & the murder of Isaiah, there hadn’t been any word from God until now.

Key People: Zephaniah

Purpose: To shake the people of Judah out of their complacency & urge them to return to God

Key Verses: The great day of the Lord is near – near & coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. 1:14

Seek the Lord all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. 2:3

Chapter Outline:

1 Judgment on Judah

2 Judgment on the Nation

3 Promise of Restoration

Importance of reading Zephaniah:

What we read: The biggest issue throughout the history of Israel was the problem of worshiping other false gods along with Jehovah, the one true God. What can we learn: It’s easy to think that because you are only worshiping the one true God, you are different from the Israelites. But if you are seduced by money, possessions, recognition, status, honor, success or another person, you are often unknowingly giving your worship to those things.

What we read: The priests should have been making sure that the people kept the covenant with God, but instead they were leading the people astray. What we can learn: Make sure that those you follow are leading you the right way. There are false pastors, preachers & teachers & we must not follow them.

What we read: Zephaniah’s message of judgment & encouragement shows us 3 things – 1)God is sovereign over all nations. 2)The wicked will be punished & the righteous will be vindicated on the day of judgment. 3)God blesses those who repent & trust in Him. What can we learn: Those 3 things we read about in Zephaniah is still true today. He could stand in our churches today & give the same message of judgment of the wicked & hope for the faithful. We have the freedom to disobey God but not the freedom to escape the consequences of that disobedience.

Things to think about as you read Zephaniah:

• What do you learn about the nation of Israel & its future? If you have the opportunity, will you share these truths with the Jews?
• Think about what you have learned about God & how such knowledge should affect the way you live.
• Are you prepared for Jesus’ 2^nd coming? If not, what should you be doing to get prepared?

Haggai

Date Written: 520 B.C.

Author: Haggai

Setting: The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed in 586 B.C. Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to their homeland & rebuild their temple in 538 B.C. Only 50,000 Jews decided to return. They knew that it would be hard to return to a land that hadn’t been cultivated for 70 years & to be in a city without walls to protect them. Their motivation was a spiritual one. To rebuild their temple. They began the work but were unable to complete it. Through the ministry of Haggai & Zechariah, the temple was completed.

Key People: Haggai, Zerubbabel, Joshua

Purpose: To call the people to complete the rebuilding of the temple.

Key Verses: Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin? 1:4

This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear. 2:5

Chapter Outline:

1 Rebuild the Temple

2 Blessings & David’s Throne

Importance of reading Haggai:

What we read: God had given the Jews the assignment to finish the temple in Jerusalem when they returned from captivity. Zerubbabel, governor of Judah & Joshua, the high priest, were key leaders in rebuilding the temple. They had already reestablished the altar, but work on the temple had slowed. Work had stopped for 15 years. In chapter 1 we see the difference between God’s house & the people’s houses & what God has to say about it. The people were putting themselves first. And God calls them out on it & tells them to put Him first. What we can learn: It’s easy to let other things become more important than God. The things you are doing may be good & necessary, but don’t let them take priority over what God has called you to do. Jobs, family, hobbies, etc will always be vying for your time, but always put God first.

What we read: At this time, they were living in bad economic times. So to obey God & rebuild the temple meant taking a risk. It meant giving of their resources to do God’s work when they felt they didn’t have enough to take care of their needs. It was also hard to obey because people were critical of their work on the temple. It wasn’t as beautiful as the one Solomon had built. This discouraged the workers. What we can learn: It won’t always be easy for us either. We may feel like we don’t have enough extra money to give to the work of God. Or we may become discouraged from the criticism of others. But God is telling us through this book that we need to serve Him even when it’s hard.

What we read: Chapter 1:9-10, we read that they weren’t being blessed because they had stopped working on the temple. If they had obeyed, God would have blessed them according to the covenant He had with them. But they disobeyed & the blessing was withheld. What we can learn: Too often we think that we can disobey God & still have His blessing. But we learn here that blessings only come with obedience.

What we read: In this book, we see that God is an encourager. As soon as the people decided to obey, He encouraged them. 1:13 “I am with you” declared the Lord. 2:4-5 “Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares the Lord. “Work, for I am with you,” declares the Lord of hosts, “according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.” 2:19 “from this day on I will bless you.” What we can learn: It’s easy to get discouraged as we try to live for God. We have our own personal weaknesses, others discourage us & hard circumstances bring discouragement. So we need to receive God’s encouragement into our hearts. We can find many Words of encouragement from the Lord in the Bible.

Things to think about as you read Haggai:

• Have you given too much attention & time to your personal things in life but neglected the things of God?
• As you read Haggai, imagine him walking the streets of Jerusalem, urging the people to get back to doing God’s work. Listen to him urging us to reorder our priorities in accordance with God’s will. What has God told you to do? Put everything to the side & obey Him.
• When discouraged in your service to God, do you quit or do you courageously persevere, determined to be faithful & to leave the outcome to God?

Video Link: https://youtu.be/95qlWKHGPR4?si=pC6UuH5OmXPj-hED

Blessings,

Nichole Henson

Fullness of Joy Ministry