The book of Zephaniah is preeminently a book of judgment; its subject, the day of Jehovah (Zeph. 1:7 JND). “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Zeph. 1:15). Despite revival during Josiah’s reign, Judah was unchanged. Baal worship continued and idolatrous priests—Chemarim (Zeph. 1:4; 2 Kings 23:5, margin)—served in the temple.
The second chapter begins with a plea to Judah, a nation without shame (Zeph. 2:1 JnD). The meek of the land are exhorted to seek the Lord, for “it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger” (Zeph. 2:3).
When God’s earthly people come under the government of God for their failure as a testimony to His name in the midst of apostate and rebellious nations, those nations must also receive the judgment that they have long deserved. The Philistines (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and the Cherethites; Zeph. 2:4-7), Moab and Ammon (Zeph 2:8), the Ethiopians (Cushites—the term is broader than merely Ethiopia; Nimrod was a descendant of Cush—Gen 10:7-8), Assyria and Nineveh (Zeph. 2:12-15) all come under judgment. These nations reviled Israel, delighting in her downfall, possessing her borders (Zeph. 2:8).
The third chapter begins with an address to Jerusalem—that filthy and polluted city (Zeph. 3:1). In the midst of this fearful darkness, a remnant is very clearly recognized (Zeph. 2:3, 7; 3:12-13). The Lord will gather them from beyond the rivers of Cush (Zeph. 3:10).
In Zephaniah, Christ is not introduced as the Messiah, but as Jehovah, “Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy; the King of Israel, Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not see evil any more” (Zeph. 3:15 JND). The language with which He comforts the remnant recalls that of the Song of Solomon—“Jehovah thy God is in thy midst, a mighty one that will save: he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will exult over thee with singing” (Zeph. 3:17 JND). The book begins with “the word of Jehovah”, and ends with “Jehovah”—a name that speaks of relationship.