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An introduction to the book of Zephaniah.00:00:05
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Zephaniah was a prophet of Jehovah in Judah,00:00:09
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and he wrote the book bearing his name.00:00:12
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He prophesied early in the reign00:00:15
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of faithful King Josiah.00:00:17
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He completed his book00:00:20
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before the year 648 B.C.E.,00:00:23
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some years before Nahum00:00:25
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and Habakkuk wrote their books00:00:26
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and over 40 years00:00:28
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before the destruction of Jerusalem00:00:30
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in 607 B.C.E.00:00:32
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The book of Zephaniah
contains three chapters.00:00:38
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Chapter 1 warns the people of Judah00:00:41
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that Jehovah’s day of judgment00:00:43
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is approaching quickly.00:00:45
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The people are focusing on material wealth,00:00:48
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worshipping false gods,00:00:51
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and assuming that Jehovah
will not intervene in their affairs.00:00:55
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In chapter 2, the people
are urged to “seek Jehovah.”00:01:01
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They should trust in God
and live by his righteous standards.00:01:05
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Did you know?00:01:08
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Zephaniah’s efforts bore fruit.00:01:12
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Young King Josiah
carried out a campaign against false worship00:01:16
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to rid the nation of idolatry00:01:18
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and to restore true worship at the temple.00:01:21
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Chapter 2 conveys a message of doom00:01:26
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against the surrounding nations of Philistia,00:01:29
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Ammon, Moab, Ethiopia, and Assyria.00:01:33
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In chapter 3, Jerusalem’s proud inhabitants00:01:39
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continue to disobey Jehovah
despite his warning.00:01:42
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Although Jehovah promises
to remove the haughty ones,00:01:48
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he offers hope and joy
to humble repentant ones.00:01:52
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As you read the book of Zephaniah,00:01:56
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note how we should guard against thinking00:01:59
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that Jehovah’s day will not arrive,00:02:02
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how those who seek Jehovah will be saved,00:02:05
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and how Jehovah gathers humble ones00:02:08
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to be subjects of his Kingdom.00:02:10
Introduction to Zephaniah
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Introduction to Zephaniah
An introduction to the book of Zephaniah.
Zephaniah was a prophet of Jehovah in Judah,
and he wrote the book bearing his name.
He prophesied early in the reign
of faithful King Josiah.
He completed his book
before the year 648 B.C.E.,
some years before Nahum
and Habakkuk wrote their books
and over 40 years
before the destruction of Jerusalem
in 607 B.C.E.
The book of Zephaniah
contains three chapters.
Chapter 1 warns the people of Judah
that Jehovah’s day of judgment
is approaching quickly.
The people are focusing on material wealth,
worshipping false gods,
and assuming that Jehovah
will not intervene in their affairs.
In chapter 2, the people
are urged to “seek Jehovah.”
They should trust in God
and live by his righteous standards.
Did you know?
Zephaniah’s efforts bore fruit.
Young King Josiah
carried out a campaign against false worship
to rid the nation of idolatry
and to restore true worship at the temple.
Chapter 2 conveys a message of doom
against the surrounding nations of Philistia,
Ammon, Moab, Ethiopia, and Assyria.
In chapter 3, Jerusalem’s proud inhabitants
continue to disobey Jehovah
despite his warning.
Although Jehovah promises
to remove the haughty ones,
he offers hope and joy
to humble repentant ones.
As you read the book of Zephaniah,
note how we should guard against thinking
that Jehovah’s day will not arrive,
how those who seek Jehovah will be saved,
and how Jehovah gathers humble ones
to be subjects of his Kingdom.
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