OLD TESTAMENT
Zephaniah announces God’s purifying judgment on Israel. It will remove evil and open up a new future where all people can flourish in peace.
The book of Zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of God's justice and love found in the prophetic books. Zephaniah warns Israel and the surrounding nations that the day of the Lord is near. God will judge the nations with a burning fire as He purifies them from sin, evil and violence.
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Judgement and hope
God performs this act of justice because He's passionate about protecting and rescuing His world from evil. He loves us so much that He must purify us. Only then can He bring restoration where He removes evil forever and creates a New Jerusalem for His faithful remnant from all nations to gather and flourish in peace and praise Him. Together, God's justice and love give the world future hope.
Milestones
Judah Judged
God's good, ordered world is descending into disorder. A great army will judge, devastate and ruin corrupt, violent and arrogant Jerusalem, Israel and surrounding nations.
Faithful Remnant
Anyone in Jerusalem who seeks the Lord, repents from sin, obeys Him and humbles themselves before Him will be spared. They are God's faithful remnant.
God's Burning Fire
God's final judgment is a consuming fire that devours evil from Jerusalem and all the nations. The burning fire of God's judgment purifies the world.
Hope for All
After God purifies the world, the people will repent and call on Him. They are transformed into a unified family, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
Remnant Restored
The book of Zephaniah concludes with a picture of restored Jerusalem where God's mercy transforms the faithful remnant, and He celebrates them with joyful songs.
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Haggai
The book of Haggai reminds exiles rebuilding Jerusalem and believers of every generation to remain faithful, obedient, and hopeful. One day God will return to establish a New Jerusalem.
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