Today's passage: Zephaniah 3

Helpful thoughts:

• Verses 1-7 are talking about Jerusalem.  This description is shocking.
• Even when His people act corruptly, God always remains righteous and just (Verse 5).
• Verses 14-15 are talking about Jerusalem.  After reading the first 7 verses, these final 7 verses could be just as shocking!

Questions to consider:

1. What will be the reason things are made right in the end (Verse 9)?  Who is going to bring about the perfect kingdom?
2. How are the people described in verses 9-13?  What characteristics stick out the most to you and why?  What does it mean to be humble and lowly?  What will it be like to live with no fear?  How can God's grace enable us to pursue those attributes even now?
3. If Jerusalem is/was what verses 1-7 say they were/are, then what has to happen to allow for verses 14-20 to happen?  How will God populate this city with people who praise His name (Ezekiel 36:22-28)?  How is God's glorious grace being put on display?

Today's passage: Zephaniah 2

Helpful thoughts:

• Even in a prophecy of judgment, an offer of mercy is given to those who repent.
• The evidence of repentance is seeking.  Seek the Lord, seek righteousness, seek humility.
  • We do not seek our own protection and rescue.  God is our protection and rescue.  Seek Him.
• Every knee (All people from every nation) will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Verse 11, Philippians 2:9-11).  No person, no power, no country, no league of nations will ever be able to defeat God.

Questions to consider:

1. What is God promising for those who reject Him from the nations in this passage?  What is He promising for His people?
2. What is the purpose of the phrase, “As I live” at the beginning of verse 9?  God doesn't need to make a vow to do what He says He will do, but why is this phrase so powerful?
3. What do we learn about God in this passage?  How will He show His justice?  How will He show His grace?  How can a person find refuge in Him?

Today's passage: Zephaniah 1

Helpful thoughts:

• Zephaniah's prophecy concerning the “Day of the Lord” took place during the reign of Josiah in Jerusalem.
  • It looks like Zephaniah was also part of the royal family, having descended from Hezekiah.
• Baal was the Canaanite storm god.  Milcom was the god of the Ammonites.  The “hosts of the heavens” refers to the worship of the stars.  The people of Judah had rejected God and were worshiping the gods of their surrounding pagan neighbors.
• God will judge the entire world when it is the right time.  The right time is determined by Him and not by His creation (Verse 12).

Questions to consider:

1. Why do you think people can become complacent?  How do we often view time and the latest news or personal crises?  How does God view these things?  Why might we question His ability to act in the right time?
2. What is the stark warning of verse 18?  What are the true riches of life?
3. What is the right response to God's warning of coming judgment?  What must we do to be saved (Acts 16:25-34)?