Zephaniah lived in the time of King Josiah. Zephaniah himself was also of royal descent, Hezekiah being one of his ancestors.
Josiah was one of the good kings (1 Kings 22:1-23:30, 2 Chronicles 34:1-36:1), who rediscovered the Book of the Law and put many good reforms into effect. He got rid of a lot of idol worship and instituted proper worship of God.
In the time of Josiah a prophetess said things similar to Zephaniah, predicting judgement. Zephaniah is also concerned with judgement, but also with the ultimate salvation of a remnant.
Interestingly, while Josiah's commitment and fervour for the Lord were enough to ensure peace in his time, they were not enough to avert the coming judgement. Jesus is the only One who is good enough to bring salvation for all.
Politically the time of Josiah was one of "calm before the storm". Assyria, who had been the main threat in Hezekiah's day, was on the wane and would soon collapse. Babylon, who would in the not too distant future completely overrun Judah, had not yet reached her pinnacle of power. This was part of the reason why Josiah could make advancements in the nation.
Josiah was one of the good kings (1 Kings 22:1-23:30, 2 Chronicles 34:1-36:1), who rediscovered the Book of the Law and put many good reforms into effect. He got rid of a lot of idol worship and instituted proper worship of God.
In the time of Josiah a prophetess said things similar to Zephaniah, predicting judgement. Zephaniah is also concerned with judgement, but also with the ultimate salvation of a remnant.
Interestingly, while Josiah's commitment and fervour for the Lord were enough to ensure peace in his time, they were not enough to avert the coming judgement. Jesus is the only One who is good enough to bring salvation for all.
Politically the time of Josiah was one of "calm before the storm". Assyria, who had been the main threat in Hezekiah's day, was on the wane and would soon collapse. Babylon, who would in the not too distant future completely overrun Judah, had not yet reached her pinnacle of power. This was part of the reason why Josiah could make advancements in the nation.
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