The author of this book may have been a great-great-grandson of King Hezekiah (Zeph 1:1). He lived during the reign of Josiah (Zeph 1:1) and, indeed, before that king undertook the reform known by his name. The prophet's purpose was to warn the people against the consequences of sin and thus prepare the way for reform. The book can be summarized as follows:
The first chapter contains a general indictment against Judah and against all those who practiced idolatrous rites, with Baal and his priests Chamarim and Milcom (Molech) being condemned and proclaims by the prophet the approach of the great 'day of indignation, the day of trouble' (Zeph 1:14-15). There is an obvious reference here to the invasion of the Scythians, who at that time filled the land with terror. The surrounding regions, especially the country of the Philistines, were devastated, but there was hope that Jerusalem would be spared, and so it was (Zeph 1:12), so the catastrophe was postponed.
The second chapter foretells the various punishments in connection with the great invasion that the Philistines would suffer, especially the inhabitants of the edge of the sea (the Cherethites), the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Ethiopians. It describes in wonderfully exact terms the desolation of Nineveh. These prophecies began to be fulfilled with Nebuchadnezzar's conquests. The result of all this was that due reverence was given to the Lord, as 'the gods of the earth' were falling into disrepute. The pagans were to worship him, 'every man in his place' (Zeph 2:11). The last part of the prophecy describes their new belief, as they offer sacrifices to him (Zeph 3:10).
In the third chapter, Zephaniah rebukes the city of Jerusalem, reproaches it for its sins, and concludes with the most encouraging promises about its future restoration, about the gathering of the nations into the church of God, and the happy condition of the Lord's people in the last days. Scholars have noted the accuracy with which Zephaniah, Amos, and Zechariah predict the fate of the four main cities of Philistia: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron. If we compare Amos 1:6-8, Zechariah 9:5, and Zephaniah 2:4-6, we will see that it is written about Gaza that desolation will come upon it and its king will be taken away. Today, amid ruins of white marble, showing its former magnificence, a few villages with mud houses are the only dwelling place of its inhabitants. It was said that Ashkelon and Ashdod would be left without inhabitants. And indeed, they are. Gaza has inhabitants, but Ashkelon and Ashdod no longer exist, although you can still see their ruins. The fate of Ekron was different: “It will be uprooted,” says the prophecy. Even its true name has been lost, and we don't know where it was. In fact, prophecy and providence, predictions, and their events are the work of the same omnipotent hand.
God's plan for Israel and the Church
The words of the prophet Haggai in Haggai 2:6-9 have three prophetic applications. Haggai was born during the Babylonian captivity and was among those who returned to Jerusalem under the rule of Zerubbabel in 536 BC (Ezra 5:1).
The first prophetic application refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed seventy years earlier by Nebuchadnezzar's invasion. Haggai prophesied its restoration (Ezra 6:14), but the work was interrupted because of persecution. Fourteen years later, he exhorted the people to resume rebuilding, and they finished the reforms (Haggai 1:12-13). This work began when the foundations of the house of the Lord were laid. When they saw this, everyone rejoiced and wept (Ezra 3:10-11). When they saw the foundation, they understood that the glory of the second temple would be greater than that of the first. Gold, silver, wood, financial resources, etc. were needed to rebuild it. The Lord fulfills his word that he owns the gold and silver because King Cyrus, moved by the Holy Spirit, orders the return of all the gold and silver that had been taken from the temple and taken to Babylon (Ezra 1:8-11). Later, King Darius confirms Cyrus' edict and orders the return of the gold and silver, as well as paying the costs of the taxes collected from the royal treasury (Ezra 6:3-12).
The second prophetic application concerns the temple of the Gentile church. The temple was built not with human hands but by His Holy Spirit. It is the building of man as the temple of the Holy Spirit (Heb 3:6). The first man sinned and lost communion with God. Now, with the death of Jesus, the foundation stone (Acts 4:11) has been laid, and the whole work is built on this rock, as the Lord said to Peter in their conversation in Matthew 16:15-18: The foundation of salvation is Jesus: The Christ; The Son of the Living God. It is on these three things that the church is built. When man encounters the foundation of God's work, he is confident that the glory of the second temple will be greater than that of the first. Mine is the gold: God's power for man's salvation, confirmed by the shedding of his precious blood on the cross. Mine is the silver: all the workings of the Holy Spirit on those who will inherit salvation. The glory of this second man will be greater than that of the first because the first was carnal, and the second is spiritual (1 Pe 2:4-5). The first man was made a living soul; the second a life-giving spirit (1 Cor 15:45).
The third prophetic application points to the coming in glory of the Lord Jesus to establish his millennium in the world. I will make the nations tremble.“You will be punished by the Lord of hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, storm and tempest” (Is 29:6). And in this place, I will give my peace. When the Lord reigns, then peace will be established over the whole world. This glory will be the greatest of all, and it will be eternal glory.
Information about the prophet Zechariah and the Book of Zechariah
a) chapters 1 to 8, and
b) From Chapter 9 to the end.
The book begins with a preface (Zech 1:1-6), in which he recalls the history of the people of Israel, to present a warning to the present generations. This is followed by a series of eight visions (Zech 1:7 to 6:8), which follow one another in a single night and can be seen as the symbolic history of Israel. They were meant to console those who had returned from exile and instill hope in them. The symbolic act mentioned there, the crowning of Joshua (Zech 6:9-15), describes how the world's kingdoms will become the kingdom of Christ.
Chapters 7 and 8, written two years later, are a response to the question the people often asked about whether they should continue to mourn the destruction of the city, and are also a speech of encouragement to the people, assuring them that God's presence and blessings were still with them. The date of the book's second part, divided into two sections, is unknown, and a considerable gap is likely separating it from the first part. The first section (chapters 9 to 11) outlines how God will deal with his people at the time of Advent. The second section (chapters 12 to 14) points to the glory that awaits Israel of “the last days”, to the final conflict and the triumph of God's kingdom.
Prophecies about Jesus in the Book of Zechariah
Jesus' promises about his coming: Behold, I am coming, and I will dwell among you (Zech 2:10). Your king will come to you, righteous and saved, poor and riding on a colt (Zech 9:8).
God's operations on the death of Jesus: I will take away the iniquity of this land in one day (Zech 3:9). Because of the blood of your covenant, I freed the prisoners from the pit where there was no water (Zech 9:11).
Prophecies about Jesus' death: The price with which he was valued: thirty pieces of silver (Zech 11:12). The price of betrayal will be thrown at the potter (Zech 11:13).
Prophecy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: His name is BRANCH, and He will spring from His place and build the temple of the Lord (Zech 6:12).
Prophecies for Israel after the rapture of the church: Israel will be surrounded and will attract great strife throughout the world (period of great tribulation - Zech 12:3). Jesus coming down in glory to save Israel (Zech 12:10). Jesus talking to Israel about his crucifixion (Zech 13:6).