Zephaniah 1

Observation

1. Read through the chapter in different translations.
2. Read through the chapter in your preferred translation several times.
3. Highlight the phrase where “day” is used.
4. How many times do you see the LORD’s name (YHWH)?
5. Mark the places.
6. When you see quotes in chapter one, who is speaking?
7. List all the “I wills” of God.
8. What is the Hebrew idiom behind the translation, “settled in complacency”?
9. What attributes of God do you see displayed?

Interpretation

1. What does the name “Zephaniah” mean?
2. What are “idolatrous priests”?
3. What does it mean “worship the host of heaven on housetops”?
4. What is “Milcom”?
5. What does it mean that “the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests.”
6. What does it mean to “leap over the threshold”?
7. Where is the Fish Gate? The Second Quarter? How about Maktesh?
8. What is the great day of the LORD?
9. What are the main points of chapter 1?
10. What is the main theme of the chapter?

Application

1. Rather than believe Deism, how do you know that God is personal and active in our affairs?
2. How might our culture be mixing faith in God with pagan idolatry?
3. Do we have any excuses for when God’s judgment strikes?
4. Are you fearful of the Day of the LORD? If you are in Christ, should you be afraid?
5. God shakes up complacency. In what ways does He do that in your life?
6. In what areas of our lives, do we need the Lord to purge us from complacency?
7. How do people try to safeguard themselves from disaster? What is the best safeguard?
8. How has God displayed His jealousy in your life?