1. Gods Tough and Tender Love Zeph. 3:1-4 Means Yahweh Hides/Has Hidden – evidently born during Manassehs reign (2 Kgs. 21)

2. Background Great, Great Grandfather – Hezekiah (2 Kgs. 18:1-8)Great, Great Grandfather – Hezekiah (2 Kgs. 18:1-8) Prophesied during Josiahs reign – the Book of the Law was found (640-609 B.C.) (2 Kgs. 22:1-13; 23:23-26)Prophesied during Josiahs reign – the Book of the Law was found (640-609 B.C.) (2 Kgs. 22:1-13; 23:23-26) Manasseh would not have cared and Amon may not have seen it (2 Kgs. 21)Manasseh would not have cared and Amon may not have seen it (2 Kgs. 21) Before defeat of Nineveh – 612, (2:13) Probable date – 630-625 B.C. (Before destruction of Jerusalem 586 B.C.)Before defeat of Nineveh – 612, (2:13) Probable date – 630-625 B.C. (Before destruction of Jerusalem 586 B.C.)

3. The Man With the Lamp (1:12) Middle ages artists represented Zephaniah as man with lamb searching Jerusalem for sinners to be punished! (Day of the Lord – 1:7,14-18)Middle ages artists represented Zephaniah as man with lamb searching Jerusalem for sinners to be punished! (Day of the Lord – 1:7,14-18) Humility may bring deliverance (2:1-3)Humility may bring deliverance (2:1-3)

4. Balance tough and tender love Eleven year old golfer – competing against 15 year olds and winning – One day made a bad shot and angrily threw his club as far as he could – father retrieved club and said the next time you do that will be the last time you set foot on this course.Eleven year old golfer – competing against 15 year olds and winning – One day made a bad shot and angrily threw his club as far as he could – father retrieved club and said the next time you do that will be the last time you set foot on this course. Jack Nicklaus took the lesson to heart (tough but tender – gave him another chance).Jack Nicklaus took the lesson to heart (tough but tender – gave him another chance).

5. Obeyed Not His Voice Rebellious attitude – not obeyed (3:1,2) (cp. Jer. 7:23-28).Rebellious attitude – not obeyed (3:1,2) (cp. Jer. 7:23-28). God expects obedience (1 Sam. 15:22,23; Mt. 7:21-23).God expects obedience (1 Sam. 15:22,23; Mt. 7:21-23). It is wise to listen and obey (Mt. 7:24-27)It is wise to listen and obey (Mt. 7:24-27)

6. Not Received Correction They had been warned (1:7; 3:7)They had been warned (1:7; 3:7) O Lord, are not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; You have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to return (Jer. 5:3).O Lord, are not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; You have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to return (Jer. 5:3).

7. Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it (Jer. 6:16). So you shall say to them, This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the Lord their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth (Jer. 7:28).So you shall say to them, This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the Lord their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth (Jer. 7:28). No wonder he wished his head were waters and eyes a fountain of tears to weep for his people (9:1).No wonder he wished his head were waters and eyes a fountain of tears to weep for his people (9:1).

8. Prov. 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die (KJV).Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die (KJV). Harsh correction is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates reproof will die (NKJV).Harsh correction is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates reproof will die (NKJV). Scripture is for correction (2 Tim. 3:16,17).Scripture is for correction (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

9. No Trust in the Lord, 3:2 Self-sufficient – no trust and no fear in disobeying God.Self-sufficient – no trust and no fear in disobeying God. Jer. 17:5-7Jer. 17:5-7 Therefore – Does not Draw Near to GodTherefore – Does not Draw Near to God Go back to former ways – Godless/idolatryGo back to former ways – Godless/idolatry Externally follow – not internallyExternally follow – not internally Complacent – not take God seriouslyComplacent – not take God seriously Blatant – No use for God any moreBlatant – No use for God any more

10. Tender Love, 3:14-20 Sing – shout – rejoice – The Mighty One will save (Zech. 9:9; Heb. 12:12-16)Sing – shout – rejoice – The Mighty One will save (Zech. 9:9; Heb. 12:12-16) Note eight Is (3:18-20).Note eight Is (3:18-20). In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation; So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever (Micah 4:6,7).In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation; So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever (Micah 4:6,7).

11. Tough and Tender Love A young man in Cal. caught for stealing cars…Judge knew he would have advantages of a jailhouse education, but couldnt let him go – sent him to ski camp till mastered downhill skiing – took discipline and work.A young man in Cal. caught for stealing cars…Judge knew he would have advantages of a jailhouse education, but couldnt let him go – sent him to ski camp till mastered downhill skiing – took discipline and work. Bill Johnson won the gold metal in Alpine skiing in 1984 Olympics (Taking God Seriously, by D. Stuart Briscoe). (1 Jn. 4:8; Rom. 11:22)Bill Johnson won the gold metal in Alpine skiing in 1984 Olympics (Taking God Seriously, by D. Stuart Briscoe). (1 Jn. 4:8; Rom. 11:22)