Zephaniah was a great, great grandson of King Hezekiah so he was of royal blood (v1). He prophesied during the reign of Josiah (640-609BC) who was a good king who led the people back to the Lord after the reign of some very wicked kings such as Manasseh and Amon who led Israel in idolatry.

The name Zephaniah means ‘hidden by the Lord’ which speaks of how in evil days the Lord was hiding for Himself a remnant of faithful people.

Zephaniah’s prophecy is mainly about judgement. He begins by speaking of a total and final judgment on the whole world (v2-3). The language here is reminiscent of language used to describe Noah’s flood. All of creation will be wiped out at this judgment. The final great judgment that will destroy the world before the New Heaven and New earth are brought in will be by fire (2 Peter 3 v10). This will be total destruction.

In our understanding of God we need to place alongside teaching on God’s love and grace, teaching on God’s judgment and wrath. God is to be loved but God also is to be feared and his people must flee from all that offends God.