Why study the books of lamentations, habakkuk, and zephaniah. All together the 16 prophets are called the latter prophets, as they began writing after the division of the. Habakkuk has utilized the epic psalmic material to illustrate and validate his thesis that god is in control of earths unfolding history and, as in the past. The book of habakkuk is the eighth book of the 12 minor prophets of the bible. Habakkuks dialogue with god takes the form of alternating speeches in habakkuk 12. Introduction to habakkuk historical context setting taken at face value habakkuks short prophecy is set in a time of national upheaval characterized by gross social injustice 1. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 1200 word vocabulary on the books of nahum, habakkuk and zephaniah. The message that the just shall live by his faith 2. The prophet delivered the word of the lord just before the fall of assyria. Zephaniah 2 niv bible gather together, gather yourselves.
Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah. Zephaniah was a prophet of doom in the true sense of the word. In the case of habakkuk, internal information is virtually nonexistent, making conclusions about his identity and life conjectural. Zephaniah, nahum, and habakkuk book summaries, test. God told habakkuk that babylon would be his chastening rod against judah. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. Accordingly evangelical commentators have opted for a preexilic setting that antedates the fall of. We do not know exactly when or where this book was written. In the masoretic listing, it follows nahum and precedes zephaniah, who are. If you can make it past the opening threats, there is much comfort to be found. Notwithstanding the emphasis of nahum, habakkuk and zephaniah on punishment, people also begin to relearn how to work in faithful service to god during this period. Key personalities are habakkuk and the babylonians.
The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. The prophet predicts an outpouring of gods wrath upon certain peoples and. And he will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy assyria. Learn about the last generation and days before exile. In the masoretic listing, it follows nahum and precedes zephaniah, who are considered to be his contemporaries. The prophet nahum of judah has a word regarding the assyrian capital, nineveh. As a monk he went on a pilgrimage to rome and as he crossed the alps he fell deathly ill. Zephaniah 2, new living translation nlt the bible app. Book of zephaniah, the ninth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor. Supposedly an angel commanded habakkuk to take a meal. Habakkuk sees the increased wickedness among the people and wants to know why god allows such iniquity to go unpunished.
In terms of simple chronology, the book of habakkuk is the last minor prophet before judah goes into exile, at the hands of the babylonians. Transcribed and edited by david sielaff, november 20. As is usually the case, his name has something to do with the message of the book. But in terms of its placement in the old testament, it is the book of zephaniah which is the last of the minor prophets before the exile. Twopage spread from johannes gutenbergs 42line bible, c. Like jeremiah, zephaniah prophesies that judah will be punished for following pagan gods. Zephaniahs ministry, then, was directed to judah just before these major changes came about.
Martin luthers definition of the name habakkuk from habakkuk, zephaniah, and haggai by dr. A call to repentancegather togetheryes, gather together,you shameless nation. As with many of the minor prophets, nothing is known about the prophet except that which can be inferred from the book. Zephaniah lived in the capital of jerusalem compare with chap. The assyrian world power has already devastated samaria, the capital of the tentribe kingdom of israel. Prophesying more than 40 years before the destruction of jerusalem in 607 b.
If, as we have seen, the first six books are about the effect of the peoples sin, these. Obrien, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah, malachi, ed. As is true of the many other prophets, habakkuk is a short book. Some parts of the book of zephaniah predict the coming of a better day, but it seems quite. Habakkuk ministers during the death throbs of the nation of judah. The book of zephaniah was written before 629 bc when josiah found and eagerly read the holy scriptures discovered in the temple. It records a legend about him that is pure fantasy. Zephaniah s ministry occurred during the reign of josiah, king of judah. Before his bold declaration of the truth of the gospel, martin luther was an augustinian monk. Not all of israels prophets were men of great vision. In chapters 12, zephaniah, 20 years prior to their captivity, foretells about the looming judgment that was awaiting judah if they did not turn back to yhwh. Zephaniah 2 nkjv a call to repentance gather bible gateway. Bible commentary on nahum, habakkuk and zephaniah in easy.
Highlights from the books of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah. Zephaniah 2 gather together, yes, gather, o shameless. He also predicted the desolation of nineveh the capital city of assyria in 612 b. Zephaniah was probably a contemporary of habakkuk, nahum, and jeremiah. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah.
Some of habakkuks petitions take the form of a grievance, such as o lord, how long shall i cry, and thou wilt not hear. Faith and work during the exilenahum, habakkuk, zephaniah. Historical introduction zephaniah the prophet prophesied during the reign of king josiah who ascended his throne in 639 bc. They coveted an evil covetousness to their house habakkuk 2. Translators could also find the translated bible text useful, as the writer translated from the hebrew tex t. It was a day that would come against judah for all her sins, but he also acknowledged that some had remained faithful and they would be spared. Of the three chapters in the book, the first two are a dialog between yahweh and the prophet. Youll get this book and many others when you join bible gateway plus. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. Both prophets lived at the end of the assyrian period and the beginning of the. It probably dates from just before king josiahs religious reforms of 621bc see 2 kings 23. Nahums original poem is recorded in chapters 2 and 3.
The general letters the book of the twelve, or the minor prophets intro to. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. Zephaniah 2 new king james version nkjv a call to repentance. It is attributed to the prophet habakkuk, and was probably composed in the late 7th century bc. The righteousness of god is attained only through faith, so. The prophet zephaniah of judah predates both nahum and habakkuk. Summary and analysis zephaniah, nahum, and habakkuk summary. The prophets nahum, habakkuk and jeremiah were his contemporaries. Zephaniah the prophet prophesied during the reign of king josiah who ascended his throne in 639 bc. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. Verses 110 except verse 2 describe the end of nineveh in 612 b. The book of the twelve follows the writings of the four major prophets, isaiah, jeremiah, ezekiel, and daniel.
Seek the lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld his justice. By the end of the prophecy, this name becomes appropriate as the prophet clings to god regardless of his confusion about gods plans for his people. Learn about gods judgements on his people and other nations 2. The bible journey introduction to the book of zephaniah. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Habakkuk 3 zephaniah 2 new international version niv habakkuks prayer. The structure of the book of zephaniah includes three major sections 1. Gain a better understanding of the minor prophets structure and message. The date of habakkuks ministry is uncertain, but it likely took place shortly before the babylonian siege of jerusalem in 597. A call to repentance gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, o undesirable nation, before the decree is issued, or the day passes like chaff, before the lords fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the lords anger comes upon you.
The book of habakkuk is a book of the tanakh the old testament and stands eighth in a section known as the 12 minor prophets in the masoretic and greek texts. Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Obrien, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah. What sets habakkuk apart from the other books of the bible. Zephaniah is the last of the preexilic prophets, and can be said to sum up the messages of the previous 8.
So, moving on from the sweeping away of everything from the face of the land promised in 1. Their acts were marked by oppression, plunder, and cruelty. Unger paul the apostle takes the statement of habakkuk 2. The prophecy by zephaniah is a companion to that of habakkuk. Bible study guide book of habakkuk saturday, september 1, 2012. Chisholm wrote in the hymn great is thy faithfulness. Indeed, his main message was regarding the day of the lord. This prophetic book takes its name from its author and possibly means one who embraces 1. At this time, the nation as a whole was obeying gods laws and turning from idols 2 chr 34. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to. Of the three chapters in the book, the first two are a dialog between yahweh.
Zephaniah preached his message during the rule of king josiah, who had initiated religious reform in all of judah and some surrounding territories. I think it relates to the fact that he was wrestling with a difficult issue. Some parts of the book of zephaniah predict the coming of a better day, but it seems quite probable that these sections were added by editors who looked at the book as a whole from the perspective of later years. Habakkuk 3 zephaniah 2 niv habakkuks prayer a prayer.
Introduction286 the book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least. The book of habakkuk is narrative history and displays prophetic oracle. Zephaniah was the grandson of hezekiah, but we cannot be sure that this hezekiah was the same hezekiah who ruled jerusalem during the time of isaiah. The book of zephaniah was written before the fall of judah in 587 bc.
The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. This is why zephaniah seems unoriginal to some scholars, because he quotes the words and ideas of many previous prophets. The prophet describes the day of gods wrath, which will be fulfilled in the coming invasion and captivity of israel. The twelve include hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah, micah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah, and malachi.
Zephaniah 2 nkjv a call to repentance gather bible. Habakkuk reminds that the lord is in his holy temple. The bible book of zephaniah also contains pronouncements against other nations. His prophecy is probably to be dated relatively early in josiahs reign, before that kings. The threefold repetition of i will sweep away in 1. Constables notes on zephaniah 2020 edition unity criticism of the unity of zephaniah has not had great influence. Lamentations, habakkuk, and zephaniah are rich with gods truth about our. The overwhelming message of lamentations, habakkuk, and zephaniah is strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, as thomas o. His prophecy is probably to be dated relatively early in josiahs reign, before that kings attempt at reform and while conditions brought about by the reigns of manasseh and amon still.
601 450 1301 1094 283 1423 191 611 175 984 173 840 1155 841 206 162 828 965 354 139 108 745 1433 348 1395 863 476 1300 1413 1349 1093