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Zephaniah 1 · Grade 5

Silver and Gold Cannot Save

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Read and Think

Zephaniah 1:1 introduces the prophet with a long family line reaching back to Hezekiah, and it says Yahweh's word came to him in the days of Josiah, king of Judah. The chapter opens with sweeping language that reverses creation: man and animal, birds and fish. God's judgment will touch everything, starting with his own people.

God lists the ways Judah has drifted. Some worshiped Baal and the army of the sky. Some tried to worship Yahweh while also swearing by Malcam. Others turned back from following Yahweh, and some never sought him at all. Divided loyalty was as dangerous as open rebellion.

Verse 7 calls everyone to be silent at the presence of the Lord Yahweh, for the day of Yahweh is at hand. God says he will search Jerusalem with lamps, looking for those who are settled on their dregs, who say in their heart, Yahweh will not do good, neither will he do evil. They assumed God was uninvolved. But the great day of Yahweh is near, a day of trouble and of the trumpet. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Yahweh's wrath.

Show What You Know

  1. How does verse 3 echo creation?

  2. What kinds of disloyalty does God name?

  3. What did the complacent people say about Yahweh?

  4. What cannot deliver them in the day of Yahweh's wrath?

Crossword

3421

Across

  1. Be ____ at the presence of the Lord Yahweh.
  2. Be silent at the presence of the ____ Yahweh.

Down

  1. The great day of Yahweh is ____.
  2. That I will search Jerusalem with ____.
  3. For the ____ of Yahweh is at hand.

Think About It

  1. Some people in Judah thought God would do nothing. How does believing God is active change the way you live?

  2. Silver and gold could not save. What do people trust in today that cannot truly save?

Memory Verse

“Be silent at the presence of the Lord Yahweh, for the day of Yahweh is at hand. For Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice. He has consecrated his guests.”

Zephaniah 1:7 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being holy. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can hearts be divided?
  • How can you show you trust God more than money?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.