Zephaniah, Obadiah, Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Historical Background & Purpose of prophet:

When God first called Zephaniah to call back Judah from there sin it was prior to the reforms made by King Josiah after the discovering the scroll in 628 B.C.. We can believe that Zephaniah’s ministry spanning 635-625 B.C., would have been an influential factor in the reforms made. Zephaniah was the great-great grandson of King Hezekiah and a distantly related to King Josiah (Zephaniah 1:1). Although King Josiah’s reforms seemed good and holy, they simply masked Judah’s idolatry worship and corruption. Zephaniahs purpose was to warn Judah of God’s judgment on their sins if they do not turn from their evil and repent. Shortly after King Josiah and Zephaniah died the Babylonians conquered Judah, leading them into exile and destroying the temple. But not all hope was lost, as we see a ray of hope spoken about “The coming day of the Lord.” It is within these words of the Lord we see the hope and plan of God’s restoration revealed.

Character & Nature of God:

Zephaniah reveals God’s hatred of sin and halfheartedness towards Him. He cannot stand it when his children add other gods to worship and praise him along with other idols (Zephaniah 1:5-6). This reveals God’s fierce jealousy to be our only God; not only because He is worthy of our everything but because He knows best and desires nothing to entangle us. God’s judgments and justice is revealed (Jeremiah 1:2-7), and also God’s restoration and care for His people is expressed (Jeremiah 3:9-20). My favorite -passage that captures this caring, all powerful, restorative God is found in Jeremiah 3:16-17: “Cheer up Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with singing.” God also cares for the “…weak and helpless ones…” and will “deal severely with all who have oppressed…” them. (Zephaniah 3:19)

God's Redemptive Plan for mankind revealed:

Zephaniah prophesies of God’s redemptive plan for Israel; but on a much larger scale expresses God’s redemption of all his children in the last days. In Zephaniah 3:8-13 we see God’s ultimate judgement on the world in the end time and also God’s restorative plan! (quote verse) God also speaks of the days where he will set right the injustice done to his people and redeem us. The Lord says …”I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Zephaniah 3:18-20)

Obadiah

Historical Background & Purpose of Prophet:

It is heavily disputed when Obadiah prophesied total destruction upon Edom. Obadiah was from Judah and did not come from a priestly or kingly family. He was just an ordinary man whom God gave a vision to concerning the brutal judgment to come upon Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob/Israel’s half brother. Leading up to this moment are many years of feud between these divided relatives. This book was written to the Israelites as an encouragement that their God was bigger than their bullies. The first eighteen verses announce the destruction of Edom because of her pride and sin against Judah. This book is full of comfort to Judah as God destroys Edom, and especially the last five verses about restoration and deliverance in the Day of the Lord. 

Character & Nature of God:

Obadiah highlights Gods unrelenting anger and judgment upon Edom. God says “You have been deceived by your own pride… I will bring you crashing down. (Obadiah 1:3,4) This verse also reveals that God hates pride. This book shows the father heart of God; he will defend his children and avenge all who hurt them. This book also reveals that God is loyal and loving.

God's Redemptive Plan for mankind:

The book of Obadiah as a whole reveals God redemptive plan to rescue us from those who have oppressed us. God will judge and punish those who persecute His children. A day is coming when our enemy, satan, will be utterly “…destroyed forever...”(Obadiah 1:10) This is Gods redemptive plan for mankind; for us to “…reclaim our inheritance…” and to have “…the Lord himself…” be our king.(1:17, 21)

Habakkuk

Historical background & Purpose of Prophet:

Habakkuk wrote the book before the Babylonians siege of Jerusalem, around 610-605 B.C., the pinnacle of Judah’s rebellion against God. Habakkuk sees the lack of repentance in Judah and the first two-thirds we see an intimate and honest time of Habakkuk seeking the Lord and desiring to understand His ways and judgment. Throughout the question asking and confusion, Habakkuk exclaims “But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.”(Habakkuk 2:4) He ends by singing a song of praise to God. He understood that the goodness of God would shape his understanding; not his circumstances. “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Character & Nature of God:

Habakkuk shows us, yet again, Gods hatred of idolatry and injustice. “What sorrow awaits you who build cities with money gained through murder and corruption!”(Habakkuk 2:12) “What sorrow awaits those who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’”(Habakkuk 2:19) This book also shows us that God isn’t afraid of our hard questions and seeking. God is full of justice (Habakkuk 1:6-7) and jealous, calling it sin when we put our trust in anything but him.(Habakkuk 1:11) In the end we can find hope and joy in God alone, our strength and salvation. (Habakkuk 3:17-19) God is faithful to his promises.

God's Redemptive Plan:

God gives Habakkuk a vision for a future time concerning the end when He will tear down the proud and the “…the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Judah and Israel seems scattered; but God will redeem them and bring them together. “It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” (Habakkuk 2:3) Although God full restoration seems slow in coming to us, God is faithful and He will fulfill it!