Bible study course
An advanced, collegiate, three-lesson academic study of the Book of Zephaniah, examining the four-generation royal genealogy of Zephaniah, the terrifying cosmic theophany of de-creation reversing Genesis 1, the indictment of syncretistic rooftop worship, the search of Jerusalem with lamps for those stagnant upon their lees, the apocalyptic Dies Irae of the Day of Wrath, the ethical summons to seek humility, the compass-point oracles against Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush, and Assyria, the ruins of proud Nineveh, the eschatological miracle of purified speech (safah berurah) reversing Babel, the humble and lowly remnant, and the sublime theophany of Yahweh rejoicing over His people with loud singing.
An academic exegesis of Zephaniah 1:1 to 18, analyzing the royal royal lineage of Zephaniah descendant of King Hezekiah, his ministry during the early reign of King Josiah, the terrifying cosmic theophany of de-creation reversing Genesis 1, the indictment of religious syncretism in Jerusalem (worshiping the host of heaven and swearing by Milcom), the search with lamps of those stagnant on their lees, and the apocalyptic Dies Irae of the Day of the Lord.
A collegiate analysis of Zephaniah 2:1 to 15, examining the passionate pastoral plea to assemble and seek the Lord before the decree takes effect, the classical ethical triad ("Seek Yahweh, seek righteousness, seek humility"), the possibility of being hidden in the day of Yahweh anger, the geopolitical compass-point judgment against Philistia (west), Moab and Ammon (east), Cush (south), and Assyria with proud Nineveh (north), and the transformation of imperial Nineveh into an uninhabited ruin for desert owls.
An advanced collegiate capstone study of Zephaniah 3:1 to 20, analyzing the indictment of Jerusalem corrupt officials and priests, the miraculous eschatological transformation giving all nations purified speech (safah berurah) to call upon Yahweh, the humble and lowly remnant, the jubilant summons to the Daughter of Zion to sing aloud, the removal of all fear and judgment, the most tender theophany in the Old Testament of God rejoicing over His people with loud singing (yagil alaich be-rinnah), and the gathering of the lame into a praise among all peoples of the earth.