1. History Repeats Itself Zephaniah 1:1-7

2. George Santayana (1863-1952) “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” (Spanish born American philosopher)

3. God’s Help Revealed His word Accounts of successes and failures Why don’t we learn more?

4. Background of Zephaniah Author –Zephaniah, great-great grandson of Hezekiah –Prophesied during the reign of Josiah, the last good king of Judah (641-609 BC)

5. Background of Zephaniah Political situation –Babylonians increasing in power –Josiah killed while helping them fight against Egypt

6. Background of Zephaniah Religious and moral climate –Plenty of injustice and moral corruption –Some reforms by Josiah –Time ripe for judgment (1:7, 14, 17)

7. Look Within (Chapter 1) Idolatry (v. 4) –Remnant of Baal worshipers remained (2 Kings 23:5) –Still in their hearts –Us? (Acts 17:24, 25; Colossians 3:5)

8. Look Within (Chapter 1) Perverted worship (v. 4) –Sun worshipers, the Chemarims –Knew what God demanded (Leviticus 10:1, 2) –Us? (John 4:24)

9. Look Within (Chapter 1) Mixed religion (v. 5) –Divided loyalty between God and Milcom (Molech), a Babylonian idol –Total commitment required (Matthew 6:24; Luke 10:27; James 4:4) –Us? (Matthew 6:33)

10. Look Within (Chapter 1) Backsliding (v. 6) –Turned back from following God –Like Demas (2 Timothy 4:10) –Us? (Luke 9:62; 2 Peter 2:20-22)

11. Look Within (Chapter 1) Indifference (v. 6) –Turned to other things, manmade idols –Failed to prioritize (Haggai 1:1-6) –Us? (2 Timothy 2:15; Revelation 3:15)

12. Look Within (Chapter 1) Conformity (v. 7) –Put on the “clothing of idolatry” –No different from the world (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) –Us? (Galatians 3:27; Titus 2:11-14)

13. Coming Judgment The nations around them (Chapter 2) –Philistia to the West, Moab and Ammon to the East (vv. 5, 8) –Ethiopia to the South, Assyria to the North (vv. 12, 13)

14. Coming Judgment Judah (Chapter 3) –No escape (vv. 1-4) –Captivity for Israel and Judah –Written for us (1 Corinthians 10:12, 13)

15. Coming Judgment Remnant preserved (Chapter 3) –One language: purified lips (v. 9) –One service: shoulder to shoulder (v. 9) –One attitude: humility (v. 12) –One activity: righteousness (v. 13)

16. Conclusion Another judgment coming Are you ready?