Page 76 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

the faithful. Zephaniah reminds us that God is offended by the moral and religious sins of His people.
God's people will not escape punishment when they sin willfully. Punishment may be painful, but its
purpose may be redemptive rather than punitive. The inevitability of the punishment of wickedness
gives comfort in a time when it seems that evil is unbridled and victorious. We have the freedom to
disobey God but not the freedom to escape the consequences of that disobedience. Those who are
faithful to God may be relatively few, but He does not forget them.

The Book of Zephaniah

13.4 Let’s Practice…

1. Who did Zephaniah address this book to?

2. What was the purpose of his writing?

3. What does it mean to worship the starry host or the host of the heavens (Zephaniah 1:5)?

4. What does it mean that God will rejoice over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)?

5. What future event is foreshadowed in the book of Zephaniah?

13.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson…

Activity: When Christ departed after His resurrection, the angels informed us that Jesus would
return to earth just as they watched Him depart…in the clouds. Various prophecies in the Bible
indicate that His return is soon. World powers and situations are all ready for the events
described in Daniel, Matthew, and in Revelation. It’s just a matter of a short time. Why is He
delaying? It is probably because, according to II Peter 3:9, He wants as many people to come to
repentance as possible. He is waiting for the last person to be saved before He comes. Perhaps you
could share the Gospel with that last person and usher in His coming?

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