Zephaniah is one of the Minor Prophets, and I am not sure it ever comes up in our regularly appointed Sunday morning readings. I wonder if you have read it? I know that I have never, ever offered a bible study on Zephaniah.
The reason it is the last book in the Christian arrangement of Old Testament books is the way in which it prepares the stage for the arrival of Messiah. It speaks of one who will come who presence will signal a return to the glory of Jerusalem. This glory is in order that the will of God might be experienced by the world.
There is considerable battle and victor language, but Chapter 12:9-10 speaks of what it means to be the blessed people of God: "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of compassion and supplication, to that, when they look on him whom they have pierced they shall mourn for him, as one morns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a first-born."
The way of the world too often seems to be conflict and confrontation; the way of the One to come is compassion and supplication.
I encourage you to read Zephaniah. Let's plan to make it our book for SCS this Sunday (9:55 am, Spill the Beans). And develop with the people of ancient Israel a hope for the day when the inhabitants of God's cities will embody the spirit which the Promised One has poured out upon us.
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