Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 26:73 (Autumn 2022)
Article: Judgment To Praise: An Exegetical Analysis Of Zephaniah 3:1–12
Author: Jeffrey P. Tomkins

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Judgment To Praise: An Exegetical Analysis Of Zephaniah 3:1–12

Jeffrey P. Tomkins

* Jeffrey P. Tomkins, M.S., M.C.Ed., Ph.D., director of research, Institute for Creation Research, Dallas, Texas

Zephaniah 3:1–12 is a succinct encapsulation of the overall message of Zephaniah, in addition to the terrible theme and sober warning to all humanity of the coming “day of the Lord.” While the book of Zephaniah begins with coming global judgment, it also includes specific warnings of judgment upon Judah for their idolatrous and hypocritical practices. The specific warnings to the Israelites are projected into the Lord’s proclamation of future doom and unparalleled global judgments coming upon all the nations of the earth prior to the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. While the reality of the judgment of Israel by the Babylonians was a harsh historical reality, it paled in extremity as to what is soon coming upon a wicked and arrogant world. Much of the Hebrew verb and noun usage in Zephaniah 3:1–12 highlights the extreme importance of this paradigm and is reflected in the present exegesis of this text.

Book Of Zephaniah Overview

The book of Zephaniah is largely dominated by the theme, “the day of the Lord,” a phrase that is used by the prophet in this book more than any other. The theme refers to a period of impending future judgment of which the global severity will be unprecedented.1 Just as Joel and Obadiah expounded upon the narrative of a local regional judgment, so did Zephaniah (in regards to Judah, the Southern Kingdom) whose warning ultimately is extended to the whole earth.

The book of Zephaniah declares the necessity of God’s people to live in righteousness before Him and also proclaims the sovereignty of God to preserve a faithful remnant. Zephaniah delivered his message in the dark and immoral days prior to King Josiah’s reforms began, perhaps while

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the king was still a youth. Thus, scholars have placed his ministry in the early part of Josiah’s reign (639–08 BC).2 Indeed, his message may have had a profound impact on the young Josiah helping to impel his reforms along with the later discovery of the Book of the Law (Deuteronomy or the whole Pentateuch) in the Temple (621 BC).

Prior to the time of Zephaniah, for three-fourths of the seventh century BC, Judah was deeply apostate in rebellion to God and rife with political corruption.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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