Zephaniah’s Protology in Eschatology: A Major Theme in a Minor Prophet

This course explores the book of Zephaniah in its context, and in doing so examines how the prophet utilizes protological themes to construct an eschatological picture pointing to the great Day of the Lord. We will begin with an introduction to covenant themes and establish the veracity of the theological assumptions and hermeneutical method employed in approaching Zephaniah. We then explore the intriguing context in which Zephaniah ministers, particularly the dissolution of the Assyrian empire, and the event and implications of the discovery of the Deuteronomic code during King Josiah’s reforms. The majority of the course examines Zephaniah’s prophecy, and explores the significant eschatological teaching formed within the framework of protological themes. We find that at each turn where judgment is pronounce upon the evildoer, that same judgment holds forth overtones of hope for the faithful remnant—it is the hope of the coming Messiah.