The prophet Zephaniah was a great-great grandson of Hezekiah, and he prophesied during the reign of king Josiah. Zephaniah means the Lord has treasured, and in this prophecy we discover that Jehovah has treasured up wrath for His enemies and salvation for His people. This brief but powerful prophecy is a declaration of God's determination to pour out judgment upon all unbelievers (3:8) and save the people of His choice (3:19). The major portion of this prophecy is taken up with the exposure of sin and the certainty of divine retribution. The book closes with an announcement of God's eternal purpose to save a remnant according to the election of grace (3:17).
Chapter one – After introducing himself, the LORD'S servant announces the impending day of divine judgment. That time of retaliation is set forth as "the great day of the LORD, a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness, and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness" (vv. 14-15). What a vivid description of that time when unbelievers, "clothed with strange apparel" (v. 8), their self-righteous rags, shall stand before the God of justice! Yet, right in the middle of this awesome declaration the prophet gives to the Lord's people a message of good news. God has prepared His sacrifice for sin, even His only begotten Son, and has bid His people come to Christ to be saved by Him (v. 7).
Chapter two – In verses 1-3 we hear God's call to repentance. The only way for sinners to be saved is to be hidden in that Sacrifice God has prepared. The remainder of this chapter is taken up with statements concerning the sinfulness of all nations and their ultimate desolation. Mankind has refused to worship the Lord and has, instead, followed after every false and vain religion that can be imagined. Sinful rebels have "magnified themselves" (v. 10), and God, therefore, promises He will "be terrible against them" (v. 11). The Lord will someday prove that all the idols of men were useless. Those who followed them will be forced to bow and worship Him Who sits upon His throne (read Philippians 2:9-11) and then be cast into hell.
Chapter three – The first eight verses declare that God in His justice will punish transgressors. Having expressed the anger of the Lord against man's sinfulness, we would think that the remainder of the final chapter would be filled with more declarations of the righteous judgment of God against sin, but that is not the case. Beginning in verse nine, the Lord promises to send "to the people a pure language." This is a divine assurance of the proclamation of the gospel of redeeming grace. Here we read the good news that God would, for Christ's sake, take away the sins of His people (vv. 11-13) and bring them to "trust in the Name of the LORD." Our gracious God announces that He has taken away our judgments (v. 15). He did that by punishing His Son in our stead. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 12:1). This gives us the greatest reason to rejoice and give thanks unto God! No wonder redeemed sinners are commanded to "sing...and be glad and rejoice with all the heart" (v. 14). The Lord has removed our guilt, conquered our enemies, and He will save and rejoice over us with singing (v. 17). What a promise of grace to the children of God. And to add to the blessings of grace listen to this promise: "The LORD thy God is in the midst of thee" (v. 17). Christ has promised, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, so that we may boldly say, The LORD is my Helper" (Hebrews 13:5-6).