A prophet’s point of view.
“The word of the LORD came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah.” (Zephaniah 1:1)
Zephaniah was the great-grandson of a king. He prophesied God’s coming judgement upon the house of Judah and was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. He does not have as much to say as does Jeremiah, but He will speak to you now if you would listen.
“Near is the great day of the LORD, Near and coming very quickly. Listen, the day of the LORD! In it the warrior cries out bitterly.” (Zephaniah 1:14) He spoke to the people of Jerusalem, but if you listen carefully you will discover his words were not just for them. Zephaniah describes the Jews condition, so very much like our own. God then paints a picture of what lies ahead.
“A day of wrath is that day, A day of trouble and distress, A day of destruction and desolation, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and the high corner towers.” (Zephaniah 1:15-16) God’s wrath was poured out upon an idolatress nation. They placed their faith in other things.
“I will bring distress on men So that they will walk like the blind, Because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood will be poured out like dust And their flesh like dung. (Zephaniah 1:17) Picture a chicken with its head cut off. That is the man who rejects God. And it truly explains the foolishness of man’s thoughts and ways that we see today.
“Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of the LORD’S wrath; And all the earth will be devoured in the fire of His jealousy, For He will make a complete end, Indeed a terrifying one, Of all the inhabitants of the earth.” (Zephaniah 1:18) See, I told you Zephaniah would speak to us if we listened. There are only three chapters in his book with words just as clear. They came true for Israel, and they will be true for those who experience “the day of the LORD.”
Zephaniah said, “Near is the great day of the LORD.” That was 2,600 years ago. For Israel it did come “very quickly.” Only the Father knows when these words will be fulfilled. It is sufficient for me to take Zephaniah’s advice.
“Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth who have carried out His justice; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’S anger.” (Zephaniah 2:3)
His Family Table 