The Lodestar

Zephaniah preached during the second half of the 7th century B.C., during the reign of King Josiah, when religious reforms were underway. His favourite theme was the "Day of the Lord," a season of judgment against those who sin against God and, at the same time, a day of blessing for the godly.

Since the death of Uzziah (745 B. C.) Israel was steadily weakening. During the reign of Jotham, Uzziah's son, the neighbouring nations weakened it through constant harassment. It reached its climax during King Ahaz's time. Ahaz, known for his apostate ways, became an Assyrian vassal. Though his successor, King Hezekiah, was a good ruler, foreign powers constantly nagged him. Things went even worse with Josiah's father, Manasseh, who is notorious for his wickedness and ungodly ways, and was nicknamed "wicked Manasseh."

King Josiah, who succeeded his father, was resolute in his commitment to God. He embarked on a mission to cleanse the nation of idolatry and restore the worship that his great-grandfather, Ahaz, had defiled. Zephaniah's ministry was a testament to the success of Josiah's efforts. He proclaimed God's judgment on the ungodly nations that were troubling Judah (Zeph 2:4—3:8) and offered words of hope and blessing for the people of God, Judah, towards the end of his book (Zeph 3:9—20).

The Lord assures the nation, weakened politically and spiritually, that he will be with them. The people will be glad when they experience the presence of the Lord with them and be happy. The Lord will comfort them with his love for them, and they will burst forth into singing.

Zephaniah informs us what happens when we return to the Lord. Those who centre their lives in God will experience the Lord's assuring presence. That incredible sense of divine presence ushers in joy unimaginable. As the psalmist said, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more" (Psalms 16:11).

Genuine joyfulness is not self-induced; it is the experience of the divine presence when we reconnect with God.

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