I’ll use Psalms 8:1 and 95:1-6

My Shepherd me me in His green pastures and laid me down in Zephaniah, the “hidden” prophet. (The name means Jah has secreted.)

As I read through the book, I noticed the emphasis on the Day of the LORD, a subject that gets a lot of attention in the New Testament. But I also noticed that I did not come across a single passage or verse that I recalled was quoted or in any direct way alluded to in the New Testament.

Along the still waters, I thought about the amazing, sweeping, and powerful imagery of Zephaniah’s prophecy concerning the Day of the Lord. He preached alongside noteworthy prophets, such as Jeremiah, and Ezekiel; he likely knew Daniel. God encouraged Judah with a message of hope beyond their captivity (Zephaniah 2:7; 3:20—one may reasonably argue this is at least partially fulfilled today).

Zephaniah’s emphasis on the LORD being “in the midst” of His people (Zephaniah 3:15-17) certainly resonates with the New Testament (Matthew 18:20; Luke 2:46; 4:30; 17:11; 24:36; John 8:59; 19:18; 20:26; see Revelation 1:13; 2:1; 5:6). Furthermore, Zephaniah’s Day of the Lord message sets this book apart and give it extraordinary relevance to New Testament expectation concerning the Return of the King.

Nevertheless, we do not find one mention of Zephaniah, nor one verse from from his prophecy directly quoted or alluded to in the New Testament.

Isaiah is quoted more than any other (Matthew 1:23; 3:3; 8:17; 12:17–21; Luke 4:17–19; John 12:38–40; Romans 10:16). Jeremiah and Daniel are quoted three times each (Jeremiah: Matthew 2:17–18; Hebrews 8:8–12; 10:16–17; Daniel: Matthew 24:15; 26:64; Mark 13:14). Ezekiel is quoted twice (2 Corinthians 6:16 (cf. Ezekiel 37:27); Revelation 21:3 (cf. Ezekiel 37:27)). Amos is quoted twice (Acts 7:42–43; 15:15–17; see Amos 5:25–27; 9:11–12). It will require too much space to continue beyond naming the other prophets who are quoted directly in the New Testament: Hosea, Joel, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk (contemporaries with Zephaniah), Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Those expressly named in the New Testament are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Jonah.

Of course, other prophets are named also: Moses, David, (these are also quoted) and Samuel, even Balaam is named.

Finally, Zephaniah is in the company of only one other writing prophet who is not expressly identified in the New Testament: Obadiah.

There are many other prophets whose names are not recorded for us, and many whose names are recorded but for their shame. This is enough to make the point the Spirit had on His mind in the prayer closet that He stirred into the mind of my spirit.

Most of us will not be “quoted,” at least not in the way we commonly quote Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and others. That does not add or subtract from the value or impact of our ministries. Take Zephaniah for an example. Consider the impact of Zephaniah’s message on the conscience of those to whom he spoke in his day, and imagine how relevant Zephaniah 2:7 and 3:20 is to any Messianic Jew today. Zephaniah remained faithful, and wrote under the influence of the Same Spirit that carried Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

We preach under the same anointing that fell upon the Church in Acts 2, with the same authority they had, Christ, the Word, and our ministries are guided by the same Spirit, and to the same purpose.

In the valley, kneeling in the shadow of His Cross, I felt the presence of that cloud of witnesses that have gone before (Hebrews 12:1), which includes many great saints whose names are not found in the Bible but are hidden in the list under “Others” recognized in Hebrews 11:36-40. The Spirit reminded me of the exhortation of our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples: “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Your name and mine are written in that book! Rejoice!

Jesus spoke: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23—see Philippians 2:5-11).

At the table, my Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, anointed my head with His oil, and filled my cup with His assignment for me, intermingled with sufficient grace to overcome the sufficient evil therein (2 Corinthians 12:9; Matthew 6:34).

Goodness and mercy followed as we walked together into the Harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

I am unable to do a livestream today. Please pray God will heal my laryngitis. Thank you!