Zephaniah overview and outline

	The Book of Zephaniah Gathering Before His Throne
Zephaniah Overview and Outline

God used the book of Zephaniah to gather His people before His throne. Each of the three sections end with a call to gather.

In the first section the people of God are shown their terrible sin. They are mercifullly told to gather themselves around the Lord before His wrath comes. In the second part, God gathers both those who had humbly gathered together before Him [as the NT church (lit. assembly, gathering)] and the arrogant who ignored the Lord. God gathers them all to judge them. Thirdly, the future blessings (fully realized in eternal) are bestowed on only those who formerly gathered themselves together. The others will be gathered by the Lord too, but not for blessing.

Those of the Old Testament covenant who experience judgment find hope in the New Testament covenant. The pattern is the same in the old as well as the new. A group voluntarily gathers before the Lord seeking His grace (Lord’s supper/ communion) and yet still looks for the final gathering (the eternal feast/supper). The existing church is evidence of the eternal blessing, even as the destructive wars and ravages of death serve as evidence of a soon–coming eternal judgment.

A) Voluntarily Gathering (Zephaniah 1:1-2:3)
Coming to God for self-examination
1. The Scene of His Judgment is Comprehensive (1:1-3)
2. The Scope of His Judgment is Extensive (1:4-13)
3. The Severity of His Judgment is Harrowing (1:14-18)
4. The Saving Opportunity is Here (2:1-3)

Zephaniah 2:1-3
1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame, 2 Before the decree takes effect--The day passes like the chaff--Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD'S anger comes upon you. 3 Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD's anger.

B) Willingly Gathering (Zephaniah 2:4-3:13)
Embracing God's global plans
1. By exposing his plan for Judah's neighbors (2:4-11a)
2. By exposing His plan for the Major Powers (12-15)
3. By exposing His plan for God's People (3:1-13)

Zephaniah 3:8
8 "Therefore, wait for Me," declares the LORD, "For the day when I rise up to the prey. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.

C) Gladly Gathering (Zephaniah 3:14-20)
Being motivated to do His work
1. A People with the Lord's Joy (3:14)
2. A People with the Lord's Security (3:15-17)
3. A People with the Lord's Vision (3:18-20)

Zephaniah 3:18-20
18 "I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts--They came from you, O Zion; The reproach of exile is a burden on them. 19 "Behold, I am going to deal at that time With all your oppressors, I will save the lame And gather the outcast, And I will turn their shame into praise and renown In all the earth. 20 "At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before your eyes," Says the LORD.

We are convinced that this 'gathering together' is the main theme this book rotates about. At the end of each section Zephaniah closes with a section on 'gathering.' This redemptive work of God can be hidden in the words of doom scattered so frequently through this book. But once discovered, one cannot but delight in our Lord's love for us.

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Biblical Foundations for Freedom

The Book of Zephaniah

Gathering Before His Throne

Zephaniah Overview and Outline