Have you ever thought about how a pearl is formed? It begins with something small—an irritant, like a grain of sand, slipping into the shell of an oyster. The oyster, in response, begins to coat it with layers of nacre, slowly transforming the irritant into something beautiful and valuable. But here’s the thing: that transformation happens in total secrecy. In a stirring and deeply reflective message delivered at Harvest Sharon Fellowship Church, the speaker, Sis. Feba George invited the congregation to embrace a truth that feels both uncomfortable and sacred: being hidden by God. In a world obsessed with visibility and validation, the idea that God might intentionally conceal someone feels counterintuitive. Yet, it is profoundly biblical. Throughout Scripture, God hides those He is shaping. Hiddenness is not rejection—it is refinement. It is not exile—it is preparation. And for those willing to trust Him in the quiet, unseen spaces of life, it is the very place where purpose is born.

We live in a world that celebrates visibility—platforms, followers, influence. But what if the most sacred work God does in us happens when no one is watching? What if being hidden isn’t a punishment, but a preparation?

ZEPHANIAH: A PROPHET HIDDEN FOR A PURPOSE

Zephaniah 1: 1

“1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:..”

Zephaniah was a prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah, and his story is one of divine concealment and powerful emergence. He was the last of the pre-exilic prophets—those who spoke before Judah was taken into Babylonian captivity. His ministry took place primarily in Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah, a time of reform and revival.

What’s fascinating is that Zephaniah is the only minor prophet in the Bible whose ancestry is traced back four generations. According to Zephaniah 1:1, he was a descendant of Hezekiah—possibly the righteous king of Judah. That means Zephaniah had royal blood. But he was born during the reign of King Manasseh, one of the most wicked rulers in Judah’s history. Manasseh was known for his idolatry, injustice, and even child sacrifice. In 2 Chronicles 33:6, we read that he sacrificed his sons in the fire.

As a royal offspring, Zephaniah was likely at risk. Many royal children were sacrificed during Manasseh’s reign. But Zephaniah survived. His very name means “Yahweh hides” or “Yahweh has hidden.” He was hidden by God—not just physically protected from death, but spiritually preserved for a greater purpose.

HIDDENNESS AS DIVINE STRATEGY

Zephaniah’s life is a testimony to God’s ability to preserve people for His purposes, even in the darkest seasons. And that truth still applies today.

Maybe you feel overlooked, forgotten, or isolated—because of personal struggles, injustice, or simply the season you’re in. But like Zephaniah, your hiddenness might be divine preparation.

Think of someone who grows up in a broken home or a violent neighborhood. That person might later become a counselor, a pastor, or an advocate for justice—using their past not as a limitation, but as a platform. Or someone sidelined in their career might be in a season where God is refining their character for a future role of influence.

It’s like a baby in the womb. Think about that for a moment. A baby is not abandoned in the womb—it is intentionally hidden. It’s not forgotten—it’s being formed. Every day, in the quiet darkness, something miraculous is happening. Cells are multiplying. Organs are developing. Bones are strengthening. A heartbeat begins to echo in the silence.

And yet, no one sees it.

No one applauds the baby’s growth. No one posts updates about the baby’s internal development. But that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. In fact, the most critical work is being done in that hidden place.

That’s how God works with us. Psalm 139:15–16 says:

Psalm 139:15, 16 says,  “My frame was not hidden from you  when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

God does His most intricate work in the hidden place.

GOD’S PATTERN OF HIDDENNESS

This isn’t a one-time story. Scripture is full of people whom God hid before He revealed. A few notable examples are:

• Joseph was hidden in prison before he stood in Pharaoh’s court.

• Moses was hidden as a baby and then spent 40 years in the wilderness before leading Israel.

• Jesus Himself was hidden for 30 years before His public ministry began.

Hiddenness is not a punishment—it’s a process. It’s God’s strategy for preparation.

THE HIDDEN ONE BECOMES THE HERALD

After decades of silence and spiritual darkness, Zephaniah emerged with a thunderous message. In Zephaniah 1:14, he declares:

“The great day of the Lord is near—near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.”

For 70 years, prophecy had gone silent. After the death of Hezekiah and the murder of Isaiah, there was no word from God. During that silence, idolatry and injustice flourished. But then Zephaniah’s voice broke through like a trumpet blast.

His message wasn’t soft. It was a wake-up call. The phrase “Day of the Lord” appears 23 times in his short book—more than in any other prophetic writing. It’s a day of justice and divine intervention, but also a day of hope and restoration for the faithful.

Advertisement

Zephaniah’s words were like a battle cry: “The Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.” His voice was meant to awaken a sleeping nation.

And it worked.

King Josiah, during whose reign Zephaniah prophesied, responded. Josiah came to the throne at age eight. By sixteen, he began to seek God. By twenty, he destroyed pagan altars. By twenty-eight, he began restoring the temple. Zephaniah wasn’t the only influence, but he was a pivotal one.

2 Chronicles 34:33 says:

“Josiah removed all the detestable idols… and had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord.”

THE HIDDEN REMNANT

Zephaniah’s story doesn’t end with judgment. It ends with hope.

In Zephaniah 3:11–12, God says:

“I will remove from you your arrogant boasters… But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.”

God isn’t looking for the proud or the prominent. He’s looking for the meek, the humble, the faithful. The ones who trust Him in the dark. The ones who remain obedient even when no one is watching.

Think of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. He thought he was the only one left. But God told him 7,000 others hadn’t bowed to Baal. They were hidden—but they were there.

Verse 17 adds a beautiful promise:

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you… and rejoice over you with singing.”

As a mother, I know the joy of singing over a sleeping baby—it’s pure and sweet. That’s how God feels about His hidden ones. He doesn’t just protect them—He delights in them, sings over them, and fights for them.

FAITHFULNESS IN THE HIDDEN PLACE

So, what do we do in our hidden seasons?

We stay faithful.

• Are your gifts unnoticed? Stay faithful.

• Do your prayers feel unheard? Keep praying.

• Are you waiting for a breakthrough? Trust the process.

God is not just hiding you—He is holding you. He is shaping you. And in His perfect timing, He will reveal you.

Just like the pearl in the oyster, your hidden season may be the very place where God is forming something priceless.