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INTRODUCTION/Background
Lineage: King Hezekiah, Amariah, Gedaliah, Cushi
- Judah has not learnt the lessons of Israel and sank
deeper and deeper into sin and rebellion
-
1.3
Zephaniah
is often
associated
with the
image of
holding
lamps/lanter
ns in search
of those
deserving of
Gods
punishment.
Zeph 1:12
Philistia
- The Philistines, also called the "Sea Peoples," migrated from Crete
during 13th century BC to the Gaza. They had a superior army with
chariots that made life miserable for Israel for many years.
- During the time of the Judges, there was constant warfare between
Philistia and Israel. At one time the Philistines captured the Ark of the
Covenant after a battle with Israel, and after God caused a plague of
tumors to afflict the Philistines, they decided to return the Ark.
- Samuel and King Saul both subdued the Philistines in battles, but in
a later battle, the Philistines killed Saul and his sons.
- A young David, before he became king, killed the giant Philistine
named Goliath and sparked a great victory for Israel over the
Philistines.
When Israel came out of the desert wilderness on their way to Canaan, Moses
implored the king of Moab to allow Israel to pass through his country, promising to
stay on the highway and even offering to pay for any water which the people or
animals would drink, but the king refused to grant Moses permission (Jud.11:17).
Because neither the Moabites nor Ammonites provided any assistance to the
Israelites at this time, God angrily forbade Israel to allow any Moabite or Ammonite
to enter into the congregation of the Lord until ten generations had passed (Dt.23:36). In these same verses, God forbade Israel ever to do anything beneficial for the
nations of Moab and Ammon.
Cush
The word Cush means black. Biblically, Cush is the son of Ham and
father of Nimrod. He is considered the ancestor of the dark-skinned
people that occupied Ethiopia. His name is often associated with
Ethiopia, but there are some who are still sceptical about it. Cush first
appears on the Biblical Timeline after the Flood. In the Old
Testament, Cush usually refers to the countries in the south where the
children of Cush, Hams son lived. Many also believed that Cush
consisted of Arabia and the country of the west coast of the Red Sea.
Assyria
For many years, it ruled most of the world.
In 722 B.C. the Assyrians destroyed Israel and took the people who
lived in Israel away to Assyria. They did not take people away from
Judah. But soon the Assyrians started to tell people in Judah what
they must do. They made people in Judah pay money to Assyria. The
Assyrians were ruthless people.
After about 750B.C. Nineveh became the capital of Assyria. Its wall
was nearly 100 kilometres long and nearly 40 metres high. It was very
wide. Three horses and their chariots could drive together on it. 600
000 people lived in Nineveh. It is almost impregnable and
unassailable.
However, in 626B.C. one of their strongest kings died, followed
thereafter by weak kings. In 612B, the Babylonians destroyed
Nineveh and the Assyrian Empire.
2.2
(1) Oppressors
(2) Rebellious
(3) Defiled
(4) Obeys no one
(5) Accepts no correction
(6) Does not trust in the LORD
(7) Does not draw near to her God
(8) Officials are roaring lions
(9) Rulers are evening wolves
(10) Prophets are arrogant; treacherous men
(11) Priests profane the sanctuary & do violence to the law
(12) They know no shame
3.2
3.3
Zeph 3: 17
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;
he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
(KJV)
Is mighty - gibbor, is the prevailing One, the allconquering Hero. Isaiah 9:5,6 : "His name shall be called
El gibbor, the prevailing Almighty God."
El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty), El Elyon (The Most High God), El Olam (The
Everlasting God), El Shama (God who hears me)El Sela (God my Rock). Jehovah
Jireh (provides), Jehovah Rapha (heals) , Jehovah Raah (my Shepherd)
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